[PGT] Flames 1 - Blackhawks 2

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

In general, they have looked fine on this slide. However, they are making crucial mistakes that end up in the back of the net.

Completely agree. We have been spoiled as Flames fans thus far this season. We're still battling for a playoff position, and it's mid December. I'm proud of the team so far, and can't really fault them for having a rough stretch. They are competing with all of the big boys, night in and night out, and are by far not a push-over anymore...

I haven't been this entertained by Flames hockey in years... Even when they lose, they're playing hard and always in it till the end. It's been fun!

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by skcli

The Power Plays are very concerning....simply cannot set-up.

Seems to me more often than not they set up, but fail to get a lot of good scoring chances.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by timbit

The kids are fine, the Vets have been good, the coaching and management have been swell.
What were people expecting?
A 55 win season?

Yep, exactly. If the Flames were near the bottom of the standings like they were predicted to be and were playing like they are now, there'd be lots of discussion on how, yeah we're competing for McDavid, but look how we're playing against a Stanley Cup contender, just imagine after a year or two more rebuilding.

We've got to keep things in perspective here, as fans.

[JohnnyT]

2/15 on the powerplay this road trip with one of the goals being on a 5 on 3

When you're struggling to score with players coming back into the lineup and getting chemistry, your powerplay has to be better than that

[direwolf]

Tough loss. Flames played really well in the first two periods and Hiller was outstanding. Can't do much on the go-ahead goal when a player loses an edge like Johnny did. Just unfortunate, that's all. Hawks put on a clinic in the 3rd and completely dominated the rest of the game. They're arguably the best team in hockey right now, and that's what they do. Really sucks to get swept on the road trip though. Very frustrating. Hopefully some home cooking is what the Flames need to get back into the win column and end the skid.

[Toonage]

They look like a team on the cusp of breaking out again. The vets will get back up to speed. Silver linings: Still have a playoff spot and there are 2 games vs. the Oilers to end the year.

[OzSome]

That 3rd period especially shows why Chicago Black Hawks is one of the top team in the NHL. Puck possession, forechecking, good defense. They shut down Calgary D-men in making long passes and prevent the Flames speed. One of Calgary problem tonight was they were panicking whenever they get the puck so they throw the puck blindly or basically just dump it out even though there was no Flame player around or close by. Unfortunately the winning goal for the BlackHawks was a little bit lucky. Gaudreau fell off and they ended up getting 2 or 3 on 1. I thought Hiller played well.

[GreenLantern2814]

Eh, what're ya gonna do? They played well. GWG came when they were pressing for the winner. Such is life.

[CSharp]

Close game against probably the best team in the NHL right now.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

How is it not JG's fault? He is the one that turned the puck over and caused the whole problem. I've been a critic of Brodie the last few games, but that wasn't his fault at all. When you have numbers, you have to get the puck deep. JG didn't.

His whole line is a horrible at puck retrieval....they depend on possession entering the zone....he knows this therefore holding on and trying to make the quick turn, thus losing an edge. If both D men weren't being extremely aggressive in a 1-1 game we would have been fine.

That loss was not his fault.

[scottish_flame]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

a lot of "fans" starting to sound like Canuck fans here... yeah they are losing but the effort is there, they were outclassed tonight by a pretty good team....

Yeah. I don't think there was much positive about tonight apart from Hiller making some decent saves. Terrible puck possession by every one, caught out on way too many odd man rushes, pp was abysmal and a lot of our shots missed the net completely

[Ashasx]

#### off Healy

[AC]

Not upset or surprised about the result. Thought we had another good game but got overwhelmed too often.

An improvement in our special teams alone would have given us a win or 2 on this road trip. Excited for the rest of the month's schedule though.

2 home games vs the Rangers and Dallas to reset, then a quick road trip to Vancouver and LA, before playing Edmonton twice and LA again to round out the month. Let's turn this around boys!

[Mr.Coffee]

5 in a row and I honestly don't care.

The reality is that I can accept loss, even many losses in a row, if the effort is there night in and night out, and it is. So it is what it is. They are as good as they are and I can accept that.

Even if they finished last but put the effort in, it's still so much better than those years and years of floating uninspired BS.

Still so much fun to follow along this season.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yep, exactly. If the Flames were near the bottom of the standings like they were predicted to be and were playing like they are now, there'd be lots of discussion on how, yeah we're competing for McDavid, but look how we're playing against a Stanley Cup contender, just imagine after a year or two more rebuilding.

We've got to keep things in perspective here, as fans.

Thank god someone here gets it...

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Chicago is a great team. They just kept the Flames in a vice with continued pressure.

Tough luck for Johnny, but his teammates weren't blameless there. If a winger blows a tire, it should be a 2 on 1 at worst; the Hawks almost had a 2 on 0 on the turnover.

Important thing for the team is to maintain their resolve.

[kevman]

It's not like they decided to skip this 3rd period after being such a strong 3rd period team all year. Chicago, one of if not the best team in the league at the moment, simply hit the gas and showed what a completely stacked Stanley Cup contender playing on home ice looks like. Hell, Sharp is playing on their third line...

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by kevman

Was going to say just that. Look at Chicago's payroll for next year. $65 million committed for 14 players. Help's take the edge off a little...

Toewes and kane are important but you dont win the big games without the depth, and in the future they will not be as deep because of the salary structure on their team but they sure do look good now..... Even if the Flames falter the rest of the way, they will play hard the whole time, these arent the oilers who embrace the losing culture.

[corporatejay]

We're still tied for a playoff spot and 2 points out of 2nd in our division, and that's after losing 5 in a row. Have a good homestand and we're right back in it.

[thefoss1957]

From my GDT post:

For your guys, limiting neutral zone, and zone entry turnovers is a necessity. Keep the 'Hawks from being able to get transitional rushes, and odd-men breakouts from failed zone entries. Also, positional discipline while maintaining inside position on the 'Hawk O-Zone Cycle (one of the league's best), is key...Keep the 'Hawks on the perimeter, and remember that the weak side D-man sneaking to the back door is a MAJOR threat.

It was an energetic effort by both teams and highly entertaining. Your guys battled until the 'Hawk puck possession wore you down, even then, it wasn't that possession that led to the goals against. Your D and Hiller were fine, until the bolded points above applied. (Yeah, Yeah Sharp isn't a D-man, but he WAS on the weak side point for that PP).

Offensively, your guys buried one and couldn't elevate a couple others. A couple of breaks and it is a different story.

Looking forward to the next meeting of these squads, and I truly hope we get a playoff series with you guys...the matchup has been close on the scoreboard, and well competed on the ice. A pair of fun to watch North and South teams that move the puck.

As always, I'll be dropping by CP to discuss hockey with you fine Flame fans, and hello to my bud Nickerjones. Thanks for hosting.