[PGT] Avalanche 5 - Flames 6

[Savvy27]

Wow... can't believe I stayed home sick and gave my ticket away. Sounded like the atmosphere at the dome was great tonight.

First things first, kudos to Bennett for sticking up for his teammate with absolutely no hesitation. That was a big spark and it's obvious from him getting the police hat after the game that it was appreciated by the team.

Giordano is a hell of a hockey player. He is the still the heartbeat of the team and he has been fantastic this season. It's nice having an elite D-man even if he doesn't get the recognition that he deserves. Brodie deserves some love too, especially on that poke check on Mackinnon that lead to a goal on the transition.

Peters made some interesting changes going into the third and obviously it paid off. Let's hope that we see more of that from Neal. Honestly, those are the type of goals that I was imagining exactly when he signed. He can be a real threat and I think the Flames haven't hit their potential yet.


Hamonic was really interesting to watch tonight. He was jumping in the play more than I can ever remember him doing and the decisions looked good. He is a big reason for the improvement over the past week and it's great to have him back.


Smith was so shaky tonight. I really don't know what they are going to do for the game on Saturday. On merit, you give the start to Rittich who has been significantly better this season. On the other hand, I can see the coaches thinking that Smith looked like he got his confidence back in the third and wanting to give him a chance to keep it going. Personally, I'm hoping for Rittich.

Fun game... great to see a team with so much determination!

[djsFlames]

I can't remember the last time I saw Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton occupying the top 3 spots in the division. I think it was back when it was the 5 team "north west" division.

[ComixZone]

Five players at a point per game or better.

Tkachuk: 17 points
Gaudreau: 17 points
Monahan: 16 points
Lindholm: 14 points
Giordano: 14 points

...that's...something else.

[drewtastic]

His name is DYLAN, Pat!!!

[MolsonInBothHands]

It's always great to get a win with the backup goalie.

Well deserved team win.

Aren't blue sky comments the thing to do after a win like that?

[blender]

I might change my user name to HOW IS THAT NOT CHARGING ON VALIIMAKI?!?!

[jg13]

Tkachuk and Gaudreau both top 10 in scoring, Monahan top 15.

[handgroen]

do the right things, get the right results.

[combustiblefuel]

I love "Jusso" much with all my heart Valimaki.

[djsFlames]

2 players tied for 7th, 1 tied for 11th and 2 tied for 25th.

Pretty similar to the Jets last season.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

His name is DYLAN, Pat!!!

Just corrected himself. He's clearly CP watching on the side. Probably why he got the name wrong, he was distracted by the ATL while pretending to listen to callers.

[midniteowl]

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by AC

Worth pointing out that the first game vs Colorado also turned when Bennett destroyed Compher with a huge hit. The shots after that point were 22-4 or something for the Flames.

Aves have must have ptsd from Bennet. He hits them hard and if yo hit the flames in the dame manner he will #### #### up.

[Dion]

[Dion]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Five players at a point per game or better.

Tkachuk: 17 points
Gaudreau: 17 points
Monahan: 16 points
Lindholm: 14 points
Giordano: 14 points

...that's...something else.

Front runner for the Norris Trophy

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Dion

Front runner for the Norris Trophy

So far? Unquestionably.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by dino7c

looking at the wide angle that hit is TEXT BOOK charging

Guy goes across the entire blue line and then accelerates into the hit...they were just discussing it on TSN

Text book indeed.

The rule states you cannot be within 3 strides to make that hit. He took 2 strides to cut him off. He made 3 total strides across the blueline . He also left his feet. The rule is you cannot take a minimum of 3 strides to make contact. Almost suspension worthy.

[Ullr]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Text book indeed.

The rule states you cannot be within 3 strides to make that hit. He took 2 strides to cut him off. He made 3 total strides across the blueline . He also left his feet. The rule is you cannot take a minimum of 3 strides to make contact. Almost suspension worthy.

Do they have to review the hit because it led to a game misconduct? I know that leaving the ice for a hit is an immediate game misconduct, iirc.

[Calgary4LIfe]

This team didn't hang their heads and give up. They kept going. This is starting to sound like a broken record, but I haven't seen this level of compete out of them for a few seasons. They come out in the third periods with MOXY.


Bennett was great all night. Not just for sticking up for Jankowski, but his playmaking was great, and he was once again having a fantastic all-round game. Points are going to start coming sooner rather than later.


Giordano. Giordano. Giordano.

4th in points among defencemen (2 shy of first place). However, he is a +10 this season - this leads ALL defencemen. Some whispers of "Norris" has to start happening soon, no? Name me one single defencemen ahead of him that is as good in every zone.


Smith - yeah, he looked shaky at times, but he also did really well at times. Like it or not, the Flames are tied to him this season. They need to run with a 1A and a 1B. I bet Smith will come around. Either way, a win is a win is a win.


As for Ryan - and I am no fan of his play - he had a strong game tonight. Even at the end I was cringing when he was battling MacKinnon along the boards, and he won that board battle which almost led to an empty netter by Gaudreau. Will still keep my eye on him, but at the very least, he had a strong game tonight.


Huge shout-out to Backlund's line tonight. Tough assignment trying to neutralize the NHL's best offensive line. Boy did they do a heck of a job. The ice was so tilted whenever the 3M line was out, that I thought they were going to fall against the boards in Colorado's end and really hurt themselves.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Ullr

Do they have to review the hit because it led to a game misconduct? I know that leaving the ice for a hit is an immediate game misconduct, iirc.

Im not the man to give a solid answer to your question . I only onow a five and/ or a ten is immediately reviewed by the league. I think personally 1 game minimum should be handed out as it was a charge that was in Torres territory. He picked a target from the opposite board and steamrolled him . It was not a suicide pass by definition as a few would have you believe. He had to teavel a ways while to make that pass.