[PGT] Flames 3 Avs 2

[Enoch Root]

Oh, and I thought that Hrudey was bang on about Bennett. Bennett puts a lot of pressure on himself. And I believe that Gulutzan had him tied up in knots.

As Hrudey said, Bennett needs the game to be fun again. Just go play and have fun, kid. Everything else will fall into place.

I think Bennett is going to move into the group as one of the top 5 forwards on the team as this season unfolds. And if/when he does, this team is going to be really good.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

A great character win. As many have said, the timeout was huge. Bennett was fantastic. I haven't been real happy with Backlund's play so far this year, but he was a beast in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Thought Hanifin quietly played a real solid game. And Andersson turned it around nicely after a rough start. Valimaki is a beauty.

But I wanted to point out one more ting: the 4th line played against - and outplayed - McKinnon's line all night. Early on, Colorado played their top line against ours, and they dominated. But Peters kept rolling 4 lines and Colorado matched McKinnon to Jankowksi's line whenever possible. This changed the game IMO. With the 4th line outplaying their 1st, we had all 4 lines in control for the rest of the game.

This team has shown signs that it can really dominate for very long stretches. Once they regain their confidence and start believing in the system Peters has them playing, they are going to be a force.

Except with the change, Colorado put MacKinnon out against the fourth. Their call

Having said that, the good guys acquitted themselves well

[Enoch Root]

Yes, I never tried to imply it wasn't their call. The 4th line played fantastic - and it is 100% on them. I wasn't trying to give Peters credit for that.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, I never tried to imply it wasn't their call. The 4th line played fantastic - and it is 100% on them. I wasn't trying to give Peters credit for that.

Agreed. You did say that well. Excellent

[AC]

Link
https://gfycat.com/FlamboyantShowyGalapagosdove


Link
https://gfycat.com/GrandioseGreedyHerring

[N-E-B]

Ugh. So bummed I had to miss this one. Just finished watching the recording of it. Elias Lindholm is freakin’ awesome! I see why he cost us Hamilton. Seems to fit like a glove on this team.

This game is the difference between Gulutzan and Peters. Peters called the timeout, settled the team down, and they really fell into a groove. Last season the team would have picked their bags and given up. I hate to give Gulutzan shots after he’s gone, but it’s pretty apparent that Peters is (so far) an upgrade.

I’ve been fairly critical of Sam Bennett the last seasons. I don’t consider myself a Bennett hater but I’m certainly far from a fanboy. He’s impressing me this season. He looks confident right now. I think playing with a guy like James Neal has done wonders for him. I really hope he can break out this year, that would be huge for this team.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't have much to add to this thread but Randorf called an awful game. Barely any emotion when our best player gets an overtime winner after coming back down 2-0.



Just give us 82 games of Rick Ball.

I still can’t get over us having Rick Ball call our games.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Ugh. So bummed I had to miss this one. Just finished watching the recording of it. Elias Lindholm is freakin’ awesome! I see why he cost us Hamilton. Seems to fit like a glove on this team.

This game is the difference between Gulutzan and Peters. Peters called the timeout, settled the team down, and they really fell into a groove. Last season the team would have picked their bags and given up. I hate to give Gulutzan shots after he’s gone, but it’s pretty apparent that Peters is (so far) an upgrade.

I’ve been fairly critical of Sam Bennett the last seasons. I don’t consider myself a Bennett hater but I’m certainly far from a fanboy. He’s impressing me this season. He looks confident right now. I think playing with a guy like James Neal has done wonders for him. I really hope he can break out this year, that would be huge for this team.

I still feel it's too early to say, but there have been some positive signs that the team may have some character returning to them this season. I eventually hated watching the Flames under GG, in no small part because they had no character. If Peters is able to coach them back to being a team that is full of heart when they play, I expect I will not regret getting NHL center ice again this year.

[Barnet Flame]

It looks so far that it will be a completely different experience watching the Flames this season. It isn’t just about what they do, it is the belief on what they can overcome when facing adversity.

Last night was the full package:

Professional coaching.
Hard work and intelligent play.
Solid goalie.

For me, the most positive take from last night, was Bennett. He finally got rewarded for his hard work and improved discipline. If he continues on this trajectory, with this coaching, we may just have the gem we originally selected.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'm sorry, I said I was wrong, so I don't get the logic behind continuing to hound my posting. What am I supposed to do, apologize again? I get that you want to make a point but I already asked you to do so in my PMs, so I'd appreciate it if you did so there in the future.

Anyway, can we please put this weird, unnecessarily angry argument to rest? It's really tiring.

Edit: Textcritic, I'm not the one who keeps bringing it up.

You're trying too hard. There is no need for a new thread for every negative or positive reaction you have regarding the Flames.

Step back a bit and relax and try not to post on knee jerk reactions. A bit of thought ahead of time saves a lot of grief from over-reaction.

[iloveicedhockey]

I do feel a little for the avs fans in the ATL; their comments tonight remind me a little of this place most of last year. Still... Go flams.

I think Neal might be the mentor type for Bennett we thought Jagr would be. He'll encourage the feisty, advise on when to take a step back, stick up for him but also help with his goal scoring. Keep it up!

It was mentioned above about Bennett and Neal getting under their skin to good effect but it needed the PK to be big, which it was. Love having these guys (and tkachuk) on our side; I'd hate them on if they were on opposing teams.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Ugh. So bummed I had to miss this one. Just finished watching the recording of it. Elias Lindholm is freakin’ awesome! I see why he cost us Hamilton. Seems to fit like a glove on this team.

This game is the difference between Gulutzan and Peters. Peters called the timeout, settled the team down, and they really fell into a groove. Last season the team would have picked their bags and given up. I hate to give Gulutzan shots after he’s gone, but it’s pretty apparent that Peters is (so far) an upgrade.

I’ve been fairly critical of Sam Bennett the last seasons. I don’t consider myself a Bennett hater but I’m certainly far from a fanboy. He’s impressing me this season. He looks confident right now. I think playing with a guy like James Neal has done wonders for him. I really hope he can break out this year, that would be huge for this team.

I think Bennett and Brodie benefit from coaches who believe in them.

[Chr1s]

Backlund had a great Game , do remember some nice backchecks , winning alot of battles defensively.

[ColoradoFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by AC

Link
https://gfycat.com/FlamboyantShowyGalapagosdove


Link
https://gfycat.com/GrandioseGreedyHerring

Love that hit, I was backed out here in CO and couldn’t watch the game.
(Wasn’t on tv either &#129315

[Kybb79]

Originally Posted by Yobbo

Some people are just ignorant, and take great joy in hiding behind a keyboard, and insulting people. I love your posts, and would like you to keep up the good work! Cheers!

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

If you have a problem with me PM me?

[devo22]

just watched the game.

Thought it would get ugly after the two early goals, but these aren't the Gulutzan Flames any more. It's great to have a coach who is able to adapt in-game, isn't afraid to use an early time-out to calm them down and throws the lines into a blender to find combinations that work. Love the push-back from the team, the forecheck is a different beast this year and they dominated a very good team in a road game for a large part of the game. A lot to like for sure.

Glad to see Rittich close shop after the two goals. Goaltending will be the biggest x-factor this season again. If Rittich can give us 30-35 gamed of solid backup play, and if Smith can have more games like the one in Nashville than the one in St. Louis and not give up 3-4 high quality chances because he overplays the puck, then we'll be just fine.

Bennett looks like a different player out there ... as if the shackles are finally coming off. Hope he can keep it up, that line with Backlund and Neal looked really good. Lindholm is awesome, seriously love him already. Forward depth is making a huge difference so far.

3-2 start despite having 4 road games, not too shaby. If they can win 3 out of 5 on a consistent basis, they will do some damage this year. Apart from the opening night stinker they've been fun to watch.

[roberts10]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
#Flames G David Rittich on his early celebration on Johnny Gaudreau’s OT breakaway: “I knew he would score ... I was right.”

That is friggin hilarious. LOL

[Lanny_McDonald]

It’s just my tunnel vision speaking here, but outside of three minutes of brain dead hockey that was one of the most dominant games the Flames have played in years. Colorado really didn’t get much of a sniff after the first period. Varlamov prevented that game from being a rout.

That was Sam Bennett’s best game as a Calgary Flame. Whatever Peters has told him he needs to record it and keep it on a loop for Bennett to listen to before each game. Except for the Zadorov incident in the third, that was a perfect game for Mr. Bennett. Controlled aggression and a blend of skill. For the first time in a long time Bennett effectively used his line mates and didn’t try to beat the whole team by himself. Just an outstanding performance.

I am still concerned about TJ Brodie. The guy has all the tools to be a superstar, but is lacking a toolbox. His decision making is just horrible, and his awareness is the worst of anyone on the blueline. With the way Valimaki and Andresson are playing, and with Kylington in the wings, Brodie should be seriously looking over his shoulder. When Hamonic comes back, Brodie becomes very expendable, and the Flames probably get way better as a result. Brodie is such a joy to watch skate, but the rest of his game is infuriatingly frustration to sit through. He’s a guy that makes every pair he is on worse, not better. Treliving should be exploring possibilities here IMO.

I thought Rittich provided the goaltending the team needed. He wasn’t spectacular, but he made the saves the team needed, which is more than His counterpart can say. This is the type of goaltending the team needs. No softies and no mental lapses. It would be nice if he could take a goal or two away here or there, trike the guys at the other end of the ice are doing with regularity against the Flames, but if he can provide the same play he did last night the Flames will win a lot more than they lose.

It’s been said a,ready, but Peters is a way better version of Gulutzan. Peters at least adapts and isn’t afraid to try different combinations. He still has his favorites, but one can accept that so long as those around the, are not being held back. My on,y issue with Peters is the short ,easy he has Jankowski on. Let the kid play, and give him some line,ages that can play at the same level he is thinking the game at. The kid makes some very subtle plays that surprise you, and the guys he’s playing with. Very heady player who just needs a finisher to be successful.

Elias Linholm is everything the Flames thought they were getting when they signed Backlund to his extension. The guy is just solid in every facet of the game and is a guy that can step up be be the go to guy when push comes to shove. Very smart player with plenty of talent and grit. I remember wanting him ahead of Monahan at the draft, and for the very reasons he’s showing. I don’t regret the Flames taking Monahan, and think Monahan is the much better player now, but I am very happy that the Flames have both players now. Treliving turned a bad situation with Hamilton not fitting in, into a massive improvement with Lindholm and Hanifin fitting in so well. A major part of the team being better.

It was great to see the Flames grind out the victory. That would have been a soul crushing game to lose, and after the St. Louis game where they were the better team, this could have gotten into their heads. I hope the play continues and they get one a roll. Peters needs to have them ready, and make sure that we don’t have any more early game brain farts that we’ve seen too many times the last couple seasons. Good times ahead IMO.

[Nelson]

I'm watching the replay because I couldn't watch it last night.

One observation is how much of a quiet, steady game Hanifin continues to play. Andersson has been talked about a lot because he's done a good job in the offensive zone, standing up at the offensive blue line and making flashy defensive plays in recovery. Conversely, Hanifin has not been talked about once, as far as I can remember. I think this is because Hanifin has not had to make flashy defensive plays because he has not been caught out of position and there is just not a lot of noise in Hanifin's game.

When I look at the individual event maps for Andersson and Hanifin (https://www.naturalstattrick.com/gam...0&view=limited), my observations are confirmed. Hanifin's map has way fewer events than Andersson. Hanifin has a couple of takeaways in the neutral zone and at the top of the defensive zone and a couple of blocked shots in the defensive zone. I think this is significant because Hanifin's play contrasts with Andersson and allows Andersson to play aggressively.

[Sutter4Mayor]

What a comeback. Rittich’s reaction was amazing!