[PGT] Flames defeat Canucks 4-3 in OT

[robbie111]

Wonder why Backlund hasn't played lately, hope he's not hurt.

[Caged Great]

^He is.

[OzSome]

Very impressed with our young defensemen tonight and of course Karri Ramo. They are not perfect but they did a great job all night. Kulak, Morrisson, Andersson, Kylington and Wotherspoon was almost mistake-free and they looked poised out there. It looks like they have been playing in the NHL. Grandpa Ryan Wilson was actually pretty good too and I wouldn't be surprise if the Flames offer him a contract. Young forwards are okay and I expect the type of plays they made. I don't think any of Hathaway, Riley, Elson, Poirier, and Klimchuk's play will make his decision tougher when it comes to forming the regular season lineup. Ramo might have given up 3 goals and more than what Hiller gave up last night. I just hope that won't be basis of who will stay between the two. Hiller was playing behind 5 veteran defensemen and veteran forwards compared to Ramo playing behind 1 veteran defensemen and veteran 3rd and 4th line forwards plus young guys.
I am liking the 3 on 3 OT format. Hartley is making the other team guessing on how he will lined up the OT. Last night he put 2 F and 1 D. Tonight he started with 1 F and 2 Ds but the winning goal still came with 2 Fs and 1 D.

[Demetric]

What?

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[868904]

McCann looks pretty good for the Canucks, looks like he'll be a player. He's getting a lot of hype in Vancouver, hes their McJesus. Horvat looks like he's going to continue to develop and be an impact player. As a Flames fan, my hope is that he becomes one of those good skater power centres but never really develops much of a finishing ability.

As for the Flames:

Kylington and Anderson are going to be big parts of this team, but I think the best thing for them is to get sent down. I thought Kylington had a rough first period, but I was really encouraged with his reads and defensive plays in the second half of the game. He got burned wide a few times in the first, but later in the game when the same situation arised, he played it differently and snuffed out the attack, that shows that the kid is smart and learning, and making adjustments even within the game. I'm leaning towards him going to the AHL, as I just don't see Brandon as a great place to learn the defensive aspects of the game.

Anderson needs an extra step in his skating to really seperate from the forecheck and lead a rush. It's not critical, but right now, I feel like he's relying too much on his smarts and positioning. The skill is so evident though. He made this one outlet under pressure where he evaded the forecheck and made a pinpoint pass on his backhand up to a forward. It was a thing of beauty.

Really starting to wonder what is up with Poirier. The speed, the shot, the tenacity that you see in highlights and read about just isn't being shown at the NHL level. I don't know if he's being too tentative or what but it's getting a little worrisome. I feel like he's almost thinking too much out there, rather than just playing.

On the other hand, I liked Klimchuk's game tonight. He looks like he's gotten quicker and he has no hesitation to battle for the puck along the boards. AHL is where he should be and hopefully he puts up some good numbers down there.

What are the Flames going to do with Granlund? He's in a dogfight for one of the forward positions. I really want to see him succeed as I think the Flames could use a skill guy for the top 6 to eventually replace Hudler. Granlund has always been a point producer at every level he's played. I just don't know if there's a place for him this year. Hopefully he doesn't get frustrated and demand a trade or leave for Finland if he gets sent down. I think in the future there's a spot for him on a line with Ferland and Bennett as I think his game really suits those two (he had great chemistry with Ferland in Abbostford). Hopefully he sticks around long enough for that to develop.

[calgarywinning]

Booyah on Stajan for all the great feeds and heads up play. Really surprised me.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

^He is.

Word is he practiced today with the local group.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

After that embarrassing commentary, really makes me appreciate how good we've got it with Ball and Hrudy.

I thought Shorthouse was decent, but Garrett is awful. I think I'd even prefer Simmer over Garrett.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Wonder why Backlund hasn't played lately, hope he's not hurt.

Backlund not hurt, that's un-possible.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Word is he practiced today with the local group.

I heard it was something minor, nothing to be worried about. That makes sense that he is close again.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Only caught the back half of the third, but Tyler Wotherspoon looked good out there. Playing very aggressive and pro-active, I liked it.

[Gallick]

Fun game to be at for $25 after spending hundreds of dollars the last few years to watch the Flames lose in Vancouver.

Ramo had a great night and can't be blamed for the first two goals. Thought Wilson was steady and looks poised to parlay that PTO into a contract. Couple great shifts from Colborne, he looks strong.

And man is that 3-on-3 good stuff. I'll take that over a shootout 10 times out of 10.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Gallick

Thought Wilson was steady and looks poised to parlay that PTO into a contract.

Funny the different views watching the game. I thought Wilson was slow and a turnover machine. I doubt he gets a contract. I had high hopes. Kulak had a very good game. Much better than Wilson and very poised, even under intense pressure.

[jg13]

Didn't get a chance to watch the game tonight but wow from those highlights Matt Stajan looks like Johnny frickin Gaudreau out there.

[Itse]

Hartley praising Bolligs conditioning and saying his "role will not change but responsibilities will increase" in the post-game interview. So sounds like he's a lock for he team. No kids pushing him out at this point.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

^ Even if Bollig's job was in danger, going out and getting 2 goals in a game against most of the veterans for Vancouver and against their top goalie should have been enough for him to keep his job.

But realistically, Bollig is the only real tough guy we have on forward, so he was always going to be on a team run by Treliving and Burke.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

^ Even if Bollig's job was in danger, going out and getting 2 goals in a game against most of the veterans for Vancouver and against their top goalie should have been enough for him to keep his job.

But realistically, Bollig is the only real tough guy we have on forward, so he was always going to be on a team run by Treliving and Burke.

I consider Ferland pretty tough too.

[GioforPM]

Funny how a few people are shocked at Stajan's play. The guy has always been capable on offence. Look at his stat history. He has, to his credit, accepted a lesser role for the betterment of the team. Not to mention the odd clutch goal (right Canucks)? That's why people say he can play up and down the lineup when needed.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

^^ True about Stajan, but was surprising to me was his speed. He looked really explosive out there. Perhaps more of an indictment on the Nucks, but he was really pushing the play.

On D, I think Kulak, Wilson and Nakladal (if healthy) are the last ones pushing for 7d. Wotherspoon has been just OK to me.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

He played a very Karri Ramo game.. Let in some whatever goals, made some good saves. He is what he is - a competent 1B goalie.

I agree that he'd be the odd man out because Hiller and Ortio are just flat out better - but that's not a knock on Ramo. He's easily in that Cam Ward and Antti Niemi class of guys who could miraculously take you deep, but aren't true #1s. That's why I prefer him over Hiller - because you don't want two alpha dogs on the same team getting pissed off every time they lose their net, you want your #1 (Ortio) and your reliable backup (Ramo).

I entirely disagree with that.

Yours is an opinion like anyone one else, but that does not make it so.

I believe Ramo better than Hiller by a wide margin while the jury is still out on Ortio.