[PGT] Flames lose 2-1. Get them in game 6

[polak]

Said it in the other thread. Ice is piss poor excuse.

It's what I'd expect a Canucks fan to complain about. Lets not stoop to that level. Both team play on the same ice. This is the NHL. If one team can handle it, then you should be able to as well.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

A lot of comments about how "poor" the Flames played, and yes there were a few blown defense coverage, but I think some people are forgetting that we were playing a veteran team that has their backs against the wall facing elimination and fighting for their season.

Also, the ice sucked, saw Brodie struggle with a few passes. With the energy at the Dome, better ice, last change and another game experience for our rookies, I think we take game 6.

Not buying it.

Flames came out strong and after going up by 1 I think they lost focus and were in 'second round mode'. Guys stopped being the first into the corner, lost their assignments etc.

Ice is bad? Shoot the puck more.

Calgary made too many soft marginal plays and passes, the same thing that killed them in Game 2. Without Hiller, the score could have easily matched game 2 as well.

They need a full 60 minutes and they need to shoot the goddamned puck.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by sa226

Also, in a microscopic sample size, I like what I have seen from Wotherspoon. He looks better than Potter.

I'm sure Hartley is going to go with whoever gives him the best chance to win (Top 3 with 30 mins each) But I wouldn't be surprised to Wotherspoon's ice time slowly grow.

Yup I thought he did a good job last night. He had a couple of really weird gaffes last night two, but that's what happens to young blueliners.

[troutman]

I'm not worried about shot counts. Scoring chances are king. CGY had a breakaway and two partial breakaways in the second half of the game. The system creates blue chip scoring chances and keeps the other team to the outside.

The game changed when CGY took the lead.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Not buying it.

Flames came out strong and after going up by 1 I think they lost focus and were in 'second round mode'. Guys stopped being the first into the corner, lost their assignments etc.

Ice is bad? Shoot the puck more.

Calgary made too many soft marginal plays and passes, the same thing that killed them in Game 2. Without Hiller, the score could have easily matched game 2 as well.


They need a full 60 minutes and they need to shoot the goddamned puck.

Actually agree with this. When we had the lead after the 1st period, Flames sort of backed off offensively and went into defensive mode. Then when Canucks scored they couldn't get the momentum back.
Their power play which was very effective in the previous game suddenly couldn't do anything. I believed they had one good chance (Wideman hitting the post) on those two late PP.

By the way, let's blame It on Bollig for shaving his playoff beard.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Christ this is an embarrassing post.

That's the point..

Comparing the shape of the back of someone's head ... okay

[Komskies]

Mason Raymond failing to even get a shot on the breakaway was a backbreaker.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by OzSome

Actually agree with this. When we had the lead after the 1st period, Flames sort of backed off offensively and went into defensive mode. Then when Canucks scored they couldn't get the momentum back.
Their power play which was very effective in the previous game suddenly couldn't do anything. I believed they had one good chance (Wideman hitting the post) on those two late PP.

By the way, let's blame It on Bollig for shaving his playoff beard.

Canucks were more successful being aggressive on the PP last night, keeping Calgary scrambling to control the puck and beating us by being in our face rather than by cutting off shooting lanes which is more or less how they've done it this series.

When Calgary's passing game is dampened by ####ty ice, it's apparent because we have a lot of trouble setting up and getting it off the wall.

[polak]

Originally Posted by troutman

I'm not worried about shot counts. Scoring chances are king. CGY had a breakaway and two partial breakaways in the second half of the game. The system creates blue chip scoring chances and keeps the other team to the outside.

Don't forget the two posts.

I will agree with the fact that they seemed to just get really sloppy after the first. There head wasn't in it and it cost them.

They should hopefully go into Game 6 with a do or die attitude though so I don't think focus will be a problem from here on in.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by polak

Said it in the other thread. Ice is piss poor excuse.

It's what I'd expect a Canucks fan to complain about. Lets not stoop to that level. Both team play on the same ice. This is the NHL. If one team can handle it, then you should be able to as well.

And your argument still holds no weight in the equation. If your game consists of fast skating and long passes, crappy ice causes you to change your game. This will have an effect on teams that play differently. Both teams playing on the same ice means nothing when you consider the "style" of games each team plays.

[nairster]

Originally Posted by Igster

I don't see this. Flames don't need to win Saturday. Canucks do. All the pressure is still on the Canucks. They don't have another chance.

With that being said, Flames win Saturday.

All the pressure is on Calgary. They don't want to head back to Van for a game 7.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by nairster

All the pressure is on Calgary. They don't want to head back to Van for a game 7.

Yeah...there's no pressure on the Canucks to win because they can aways try to win next game. Oh, wait.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by nairster

All the pressure is on Calgary. They don't want to head back to Van for a game 7.

Their is pressure on both teams, the Flames to close it out on home ice and the Canucks to prolong the series.

Considering how the Flames have played this year with the pressure on, that doesn't necessarily bode well for your team nucklehead.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by nairster

All the pressure is on Calgary. They don't want to head back to Van for a game 7.

If the Canucks lose, they're done.

I'd imagine there is some pressure on them to win.

[northcrunk]

Someone should have taken the 2 for instigator and started punch sedin in the face when he ran/crosschecked hiller into the net. These guys are getting way to comfortable crashing our net. They need to feel pain. Can't stand the Sedins.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by hurtin_albertan

What a hideous game to watch. It felt like the Flames were handling pucks at the end of 10 foot long sticks. The puck was seemingly in a constant state of bounce in the Canucks end. We couldn't get a thing going - every single puck was contested and hacked at by a gang of players until it finally bounced out of the zone. Mega frustrating.

The top line was downright BRUTAL. Hudler has to be injured, the guy is totally invisible. I'm not sure what's going on with Monahan but he's been pretty ineffective. Gaudreau, while showing a few flashes over the course of the series, was an absolutel liability last night. The Canucks are turning him away with ease when he tries to stickhandle through 3 defenders, and last night he made at least 5 blind passes that landed right on the sticks of Canuck players. All 3 guys are passengers right now.

Saturday's game is absolutely massive; I think it's must-win territory for the Flames. If we're honest with ourselves they've been dominated in Vancouver and were fortunate to win game 1 there. If it goes back to Vancouver for game 7 having lost all momentum I really don't like our chances.

We need to bury these dinks in front of what is sure to be the most raucous crowd at the dome in over a decade.

As far as Gaudreau goes, I get the impression he doesn't have much faith in his linemates right now. He's trying to do way too much on his own right now, and it's making it too easy for Vancouver to double team him and strip him of the puck. Unfortunately every pass he dishes to Monahan/Hudler right now ends up going back the other way.

Don't know what's going on with those two, but it might be time for Hartley to mix the lines a bit. Of course the Ferland/Stajan/Jones line and the Bennett/Backlund/Colborne line have both been very effective. I don't know what a good option is at this point.

[polak]

Yeah I wouldn't be against splitting up the top line. Monahan and Hudler are really struggling.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Christ this is an embarrassing post.

In the future can you please just report the post and let us deal with it. It is a pain in the rump to have to go through and find where posts like that are quoted.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by nairster

All the pressure is on Calgary. They don't want to head back to Van for a game 7.

Canucks window is closing fast (if it hasn't already). If they have another first round exit to a young flames team that they're supposed to beat, you can bet there will be calls for major change.

They're going into an elimination game in one of the most hostile barns in the league on a Saturday night, and they're not exactly known for their toughness (physical or mental).

There is pressure on both teams but way more on the Canucks. Not sure how you couldn't see this.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by polak

Yeah I wouldn't be against splitting up the top line. Monahan and Hudler are really struggling.

yeah, I'd like to see Gaudreau with Bennett and Backlund.