[PGT] Hell yes! 2-1 Flames. lead series 1-0.

[polak]

Oh man, we were lucky to come out with the win there but - HA. Just kidding. That was freaking awesome.

I thought the Backlund Colborne Bennett line played awesome and i hope they stay together. I was ready to verbally tear Colborne a new one after the first but then he really stepped it up and then the shift!! How epic was that? I think its obvious that Bennett is on the roster from here on in. Crazy that we probably just added another Gaudreau/Monahan/Hudler calibre player. Hell, he might even be better than them. Some much needed secondary scoring.

The D played decent but the oddman rushes were a bit scary. However, we seemed to be able to recover most of the time and they were great on the rush so I guess it's a bit of a trade off. RUSSELL.

Hiller played perfect. Cant fault him on the goal and he made some huge saves.

Ahhhh that was epic. Now 4 hours of work and its off to Vancouver to cheer these guys on behind enemy lines!

[sa226]

I honestly believe that had anyone else played with Backlund, they wouldnt have been nearly as effective. They were the best line for the first half of the game. The Backlund line created energy and momentum while the other lines got their legs. Bennett was a huge part of this win for many reasons.

Also. I think/hope that Dreger is right about Monahan. He may have a shoulder issue, but sickness was more of a factor than his shoulder. Monahan isn't overly physical anyways. I'm hoping it is less and less of a storyline as the series continues.

[megatron]

Checking in from Oz here. Just finished watching the game. I think I annoyed all of my condo neighbors after yelling when Russell scored.

I never really watched Ferland too closely but he was kickin' ass and takin' names. Just what he did to Burrows was worth it. I think he's going to be a difference maker for sure.

What else can be said about Bennett? Ridiculous 1st NHL playoff game and he was the best player on the ice (kudos to Hiller as well).

Hopefully Moneyhands and Huds are better next game and can catch fire.

Canuck tears taste the best.

[bigbadboss101]

I think until Bouma is back it's ok to sit Bollig and put in Raymond, or even Wolf. We have enough grit.

[UnitedFlames]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Puck got picked up quickly at the buzzer, going to Bennett?

My guess is David Jones, first career playoff goal.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by UnitedFlames

My guess is David Jones, first career playoff goal.

I think they want to collect 16 pucks.

[flambers]

Backlund and Stajan lines had a great night

Some what concerned on Monahan shoulder...... He had a tough night.

Overall a really good game considering there were so many players within the lineup that have never been in a playoff game before...

[Resolute 14]

So we're missing the world's best defenceman, the world's craziest energy player and our #1 centre is playing when he is clearly too injured to be playing. Vancouver is healthy.

And we beat them.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/b...playoff-story/

That is Spector on Bennett.

I don't think Flames management have a difficult decision at all - especially not if he continues with this kind of impact.

Ha I love this quote by Jones.

“I was screaming at him,” said Jones. “If he didn’t give it to me, he’d better have scored himself. I told him, ‘Just give it to me and put your hands up, man.’ I knew it was going in.”

[burnin_vernon]

I was at the game but there were two moments that I couldn't see completely.

Was Bennett's high stick penalty a legitimate call?
Did Gaudreau get high sticked in the face? Bad non-call or was it a follow-through or something?

[howard_the_duck]

What a night! Watching the Flames down the stretch of the regular season I couldn't help but think they were running out of gas. The last 2 weeks they just didn't seem to be clicking like earlier in the season.

But man oh man, last night was the best they've played in probably a month. You could really see the Flames team speed was giving the Canucks fits, particularly in the 3rd. And just a gutsy performance by Russell and Brodie in particular on the back end.

Sam Bennett was arguably the best forward on the ice for both teams. What impressed me most was his 2-way game. Even as a winger he was battling down low in our end, first guy back on the backcheck, it was remarkable to see his play on both ends of the ice as a rookie in his first playoff game. As others have noted, we may have just injected a top 3 forward into our lineup, and it couldn't have come at a better time. What a treat of a game to watch for Flames fans. Can't wait for Friday!

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by bigbadboss101

I think until Bouma is back it's ok to sit Bollig and put in Raymond, or even Wolf. We have enough grit.

Enough Grit? Bollig played well. Need guys to go out and be physical, especially in the playoffs. They should bench Raymond forever.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

Ha I love this quote by Jones.

My personal favourite, Sam Bennett

“It was everything that I dreamed it could be. It was so much fun out there, so fast. To get the win in our first playoff game? It felt amazing,” said the No. 4 overall pick from a year ago. He already has one more playoff game under his belt than every player drafted by the Edmonton Oilers since their rebuild began.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by jimFlames

TSN showed the USA network highlights and Cuthbert was calling the game... now that gentleman has to be the best objective play by play in the biz

On that last goal replace "Russell" with "Gelinas" and it feels just like Game 7 OT. Damn, I miss that guy calling games.

[Dime_On_Flames]

lol it's funny to see people here complaining about the PBP being canuck biased. I was following the Nucks forum last night and they were saying the exact same things.

I guess it's like a really good negotiation, in the end if both sides are unhappy, it's a good deal

[Resolute 14]

Jim Hughson is a joke. They should have left him out east.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I feel shame. I now bow down to the almighty Colborne and his utter domination of the Canucks down low. May we all bask in his mighty glory of that eternal shift

I should find my quote from about 2 months ago when I was talking about how amazed I was at his puck possession for a big guy, and his hockey intelligence, but that would take hours to find it. So just trust me, on this, I said it.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

I was at the game but there were two moments that I couldn't see completely.

Was Bennett's high stick penalty a legitimate call?
Did Gaudreau get high sticked in the face? Bad non-call or was it a follow-through or something?

I think all the penalties called are legit. Ref on the other hand missed a few penalties on both sides. Gaudreau got high-sticked and ref missed it but they also a high stick by Jooris I think in the 3rd period so that evens out. I thought ref was okay in the game.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I don't think it makes much sense to complain about officiating when a missed high stick led to a goal for. Refs were fine.

Desjardins got thoroughly out-coached by Hartley in that one. Between the Sedin line being the 4th line in terms of ice time, and having the third pairing out on for the final minute and allowing the GWG when both screened their tendy, I expect a lot of people turning on him. Commence Vancouver mob panic. And it's only game 1!

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by Inferno

My photos from the game:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=7f9e07914a

Incredible that you caught this on film:


....Did you even see the puck go in live, or were you looking through the phone?