[Game Takes] Flames 3 Predators 2 (SO)

[FlamesFanFromBC]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Great write up as always.

I like Hrudey but he gets the heel for being flabbergasted by Rinne twice stopping the icings. You let it be icing, it’s a 50/50 you get possession when play resumes. You come out of the crease and play it, its 100% chance you have possession. Its not hard to carry the puck up the ice in 3 on 3, keeping the possession is the key to teams ot strategies now. Smith did the same thing 2 minutes later.

I was thinking this same thing while watching it. I'm not a hockey analyst but was able to figure out why Renne played the puck like that in a couple seconds.

For the Smith one I though he should have let that go for icing with the amount of time left in game. They had to rush to get in offensive zone just to get a long shot towards the net. IMO offensive zone faceoff in that situation would have been better.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Great write up as always.

I like Hrudey but he gets the heel for being flabbergasted by Rinne twice stopping the icings. You let it be icing, it’s a 50/50 you get possession when play resumes. You come out of the crease and play it, its 100% chance you have possession. Its not hard to carry the puck up the ice in 3 on 3, keeping the possession is the key to teams ot strategies now. Smith did the same thing 2 minutes later.

Agreed. That was a strange thing to complain about. 3v3 OT is all about possession, and we've seen teams hang onto the puck for almost the entirety of the OT. If you have a chance to gain possession, why bother with a faceoff? Just because you get to take one in the offensive zone doesn't mean you are going to win it.

In 3v3, there is a ton of room to move up ice and you can pretty much guarantee a zone entry if you have the puck. I see absolutely no issue with what the goaltenders did and IMO it was the smart play.

Also important to remember that the Flames were winning most of the faceoffs that game. Why risk a chance to lose the puck and risk having the Flames skate around with the puck for a couple minutes?

Possession of the puck>>>chance to get possession from a faceoff.

Thanks for posting this and reminding me how it really RGMG to hear him going on about it.

[Yrebmi]

Hrudey often has such a ruddy complexion.
I like to think him and Ball enjoy the games much as my friends and I do with a wee bit of drink. So I will forgive him a late game blunder. Such great game coverage however they do it. Never change.

[dammage79]

I don't know why Hrudey and Ball are being judged for being confused by Rinne's choice to stop two icings. That was the first time I've seen that during any part of a hockey game as well. Seems like a new tactic to me. Only logic I concluded was to keep the clock running down and get to the shootout. As for possession reasoning, sure absolutely. But let's not pretend here that what Rinne was doing in OT last night was par for the course and that no body should be scratching their heads by the choice.

Besides, traditionally, you want those icings so you can get out fresh forwards for an offenssive zone start against tired defenders. Did we forget that that was an advantage?
The 50/50 thought should be 65/35 for the offensive team.

so yeah, Rinne keeping the play going was a headscratcher for sure and Hrudey and ball were right to be confused.

[Coach]

I think Rinne just had a brain fart for a few minutes and for some reason thought there were no icings on the 3 on 3. Or thought they were on a PP.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I think Rinne just had a brain fart for a few minutes and for some reason thought there were no icings on the 3 on 3. Or thought they were on a PP.

No, it was on purpose. Why would they go for a 50/50 face off when they can just keep possession 3 on 3 and gain the zone effortlessly.

Edit: and I just realized this has been already said.

[FBI]

Seemed pretty obvious to me why Rinne was doing it but I'm not going to be mad at Hrudey for not knowing.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

I'm curious what Mike Smith said to Kevin Fiala after his shoot attempt. Gave him a quick stick in the shins and shoulder bump that was hard to tell if it was razing or if he's was pissed off.