[PGT] Flames fall 4-1. Series tied 1-1.

[EldrickOnIce]

For the scumbags they have always been, the Canucks are better than I thought they were.
They have completed owned the middle of the ice and totally neutralized the trailer. The D either needs to become even more involved in the rush, or something...

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

For the scumbags they have always been, the Canucks are better than I thought they were.
They have completed owned the middle of the ice and totally neutralized the trailer. The D either needs to become even more involved in the rush, or something...

VAN is really cluttering the neutral zone up as to not let the Calgary defense to carry it in themselves or use the stretch pass. I think the correct adjustment is to have the D carry it midway then fire it deep, allowing the forwards to use their speed to beat VAN to the puck.

[tvp2003]

NHL should be ashamed of how the officials handled that. To say they lost control of the brawl suggests they had some control at the start. They didn't. The subsequent penalty assessment (including the Bollig misconduct) is illustrative of what was going through their heads -- protect the Canucks because the Flames where looking to make a statement. In doing so, they were completely blind to what the Canucks were doing. They are as much to blame as the Canuck players involved.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

VAN is really cluttering the neutral zone up as to not let the Calgary defense to carry it in themselves or use the stretch pass. I think the correct adjustment is to have the D carry it midway then fire it deep, allowing the forwards to use their speed to beat VAN to the puck.

definitely seemed like Van players have been well coached to cut off Calgary's breakout... way too many intercepted/cut off breakouts to think its just random luck or bad calgary passes...

hoping the flames will be able to adjust, as there is zero speed through the neutral zone as a result.

[Stay Golden]

I am disgusted how not one TV hockey media personal has pointed out how wrong O'Halleron's breakdown of the brawl was.
It is more disgusting that the NHL has not corrected what they now have seen what happened with Hamuis being clearly 3rd man in and also how Dorsett through the 1st punch to start a 2nd fight.
Engelland clearly did not even return a punch for 3 seconds after Dorsetts first.
It proves to me the NHL did not even review this all they are liars.
If O'Halleron refs any Flames home games the fans should "all" show their disgust towards him.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

VAN is really cluttering the neutral zone up as to not let the Calgary defense to carry it in themselves or use the stretch pass. I think the correct adjustment is to have the D carry it midway then fire it deep, allowing the forwards to use their speed to beat VAN to the puck.

They have neutralized the top line's speed and attack, so far

[AcGold]

I'm thinking we will have to split up Gaudreau and Hudler in the future so we have more size per line. Now we know what playoff hockey is like we need 2 players with at least some size on every line.

To break through the cluttered neutral zone go with a 1-3-1 and have the guy up front as Monahan, Ferland, Bollig, Backlund or Colborne. And then 2 guys jump up if the leader can gain the zone, maintain as much speed as possible

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

definitely seemed like Van players have been well coached to cut off Calgary's breakout... way too many intercepted/cut off breakouts to think its just random luck or bad calgary passes...

hoping the flames will be able to adjust, as there is zero speed through the neutral zone as a result.

Flames have to close up their gap, use a lot of short passes and speed. Then, if successful, that will free up the stretch pass. Way too many turnovers in the offensive zone -- looks like they thought they had less time that they did. Trial by fire.

Hartley's smart - he'll tune them up for the next game. Just hoping that the top line isn't as hurt as they look to be. (Can it all have been Regehr?)

[azzarish]

If Engelland gets suspended it would be really harsh and unwarranted. The refs made a mockery of the penalties. Dorsett goes in again for a second time and Hamhuis isn't a 3rd man??

Get bloody real. Anyone with any common sense would see that as unjust if it leads to a suspension.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Flames have to close up their gap, use a lot of short passes and speed. Then, if successful, that will free up the stretch pass. Way too many turnovers in the offensive zone -- looks like they thought they had less time that they did. Trial by fire.

Hartley's smart - he'll tune them up for the next game. Just hoping that the top line isn't as hurt as they look to be. (Can it all have been Regehr?)

Agree, the long passes are getting broken up too often... Brodie didn't have the best game (like most of the team) but he really seemed to be fumbling the puck; it just didn't sit still for him...and he's probably our best passer w/o Gio

on a side note, anyone know what Bouma's status is? It'd be nice for him to draw it asap...

[heep223]

Originally Posted by troutman

Say My Name.

I remember Parise saying something similar about TJ Brodie....

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Agree, the long passes are getting broken up too often... Brodie didn't have the best game (like most of the team) but he really seemed to be fumbling the puck; it just didn't sit still for him...and he's probably our best passer w/o Gio

on a side note, anyone know what Bouma's status is? It'd be nice for him to draw it asap...

Day to day. If the reports of broken hand are correct, it'll be at least 1.5-3 more weeks I think

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Happy we got the split in Van and LOTS of fodder for the dressing room

[cracher]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

VAN is really cluttering the neutral zone up as to not let the Calgary defense to carry it in themselves or use the stretch pass. I think the correct adjustment is to have the D carry it midway then fire it deep, allowing the forwards to use their speed to beat VAN to the puck.

Yeah, I thought the D was doing this for the Ferland line and not so much the others. So many entries involved hitting center, then a same-side softer dump such that it would end up behind the net. Ferland's line would not be 1st to the puck, but would come in smashing and digging. Seemed more effective in gaining the zone than Hudler's line where they carry it in on the right, then stop/look for the late guy through the middle.

[taxbuster]

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 1m1 minute ago
Hearing Flames have asked NHL to review Engelland instigator. If rescinded, he is clear for Game 3

[Stay Golden]

Backlund is not a "playoff" effective player. He coughs up the puck when contact is going to occur. He won't battle with full commitment along the boards. He prefers to loop around instead of driving. And that is resulting with continuous turnovers from hot potato ill advised passes. Shore should dress at least he won't get pushed around and will follow instructions.
Backlund has been weak for the last 2 months and he is not getting better.
Cotter is not a better D man than Wotherspoon.
Wotherspoon should replace him.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

on a side note, anyone know what Bouma's status is? It'd be nice for him to draw it asap...

At this point, I'm more interested in the status of Diaz. We're going to run into real problems playing the top three d-men 28 minutes a night each if this series goes long.

[browna]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

For the scumbags they have always been, the Canucks are better than I thought they were.
They have completed owned the middle of the ice and totally neutralized the trailer. The D either needs to become even more involved in the rush, or something...

Before we give the Canucks too much credit just yet, I stil think its the fact that Hudler and Monahan are not 100%. As in the regular season, the Flames go as the top line goes, both for points and momentum.

Not sure if Wideman, the main guy making the pinches and joining the rush is 100% either, looked laboured skating a few times. Brodie jumped in a bit more than usual it seemed last night, maybe making up for Wideman.

Without Wideman doing that, and his great outlet stretch passes, and 2 of the top 3 on the first line also not looking themselves, Flames would have a tough time with any of the 14 teams not in the playoffs (Oilers excluded)

And, without Engelland's gaffe on goal 1, with Hiller keeping them in it, that game would've possibly ended differently with Vancouver sitting on a 1 goal lead into the third.

They certainly looked beatable game 1, and game 2 wasnt a slam dunk for the Canucks either. Flames top line gets rolling, injuries don't play a factor, they replace Engellands minutes, and Flames will be fine.

[CaptainCrunch]

It took me a while and a 2 am workout to calm down and finally get some sleep.

I firmly believe that the Ref's embarrassed themselves and the league with their conduct last night, but that's out of our hands and we can't worry about it.

Hockey players have long memories, and while the Flames might not go out of their way to wreck Dorsett and that idiot Richardson tomorrow night, a guy like Engellend and Ferland certainly know who they are.

On the positive hand, the series is locked up 1-1 and the Flames are coming home

On a positive hand, the Flames' bounce back after losses is pretty impressive

On a positive not Hartley now controls the matchups, hopefully that will open things up for the top line.

If Engellend is suspended, that's trouble, Potter isn't trusted by Hartley nor is Wotherspoon, and we don't have the blueline depth yet to recover it.

Monahan and Hudler don't look like the same players, whether its nagging injuries or the Canucks clogging the neutral zone really effectively they have to find a way to help this team.

Part of me has a funny feeling that the Canucks blew their load last night, an older team has a limited energy reserve and the Flames were starting the break the Canucks down in the last half of the game. I think game plan wise the Flames really have to get on the Canucks physically and lean on them right from the start. They have to not use the long pass every play. The Flames chipped and chased into the neutral zone in game 1 and their speed took over the game.

At the start of the series if the question was asked, would you be happy coming out of Vancouver tied and with home ice advantage would you be happy? My answer yes sir ecstatic sir.

My concern were the reports yesterday that the team was extremely loose, joking with reports etc. Well its great to be lose, but there has to be a sense of urgency to win in the playoffs, there has to be some drive and some fear of losing. The Flames were missing that.

Its all good people, there's no point in ruining your Saturday with ruinations about the league or the officials or the dastardly canucks. Enjoy the day, and reload for tomorrow.

[Flash Walken]

Yeah, Backlund looks like garbage.

Lots of people I'm sure will say he's looked better but better than what?

Calgary is desperate for a player to step up, Backlund is physically soft, his shots are soft and his passing is soft. Soft, Soft, Soft.

Not even close to the intensity necessary to compete in a playoff game. Were it not for Colborne and Bennett on his line, he might look like Calgary's worst player.