[PGT] Flames literally lose to Blues 4-3

[hummdeedoo]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Lots of familiar patterns. Terrible second periods, playing from behind in the third, relatively ineffective method (stretch pass and tip at centre ice) to break into the offensive zone, etc.

Also getting out shot - 28-18 tonight.

[Badgers Nose]

Dougie looks exactly like a good player 3 games into a long and ilustrious playing career with the Flames.

[Locke]

This looks like a team thats feeling pressure.

No more of the loose insanity of the pressure-less previous season.

Not good thus far, but its early doors yet.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

So far I've been quite disappointed with 3 key contributors that got big raises in the offseason: Backlund, Bouma, Gio.

I think it's natural for anyone in the early stages of a new deal to struggle - all three are probably gripping and feel an immense amount of pressure to immediately justify their contracts.

They'll figure it out. But start Ortio next game - if we're truly doing 'win and you're in', he deserves his shot. We're not keeping a 24 year old goalie in Calgary to eat popcorn.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by AltaGuy

Our stretch pass needs speed.

What our stretch pass needs, is moderation.





Literally.

[DuffMan]

Blow it up, literally!
Too soon?

[calumniate]

That was sure an up tempo game. At least we showed we can hang with them. Too many odd man rushes again but there were chances on both ends. When rookies say they're shocked at the NHL tempo they ain't kidding!

[stone hands]

when they looked good they looked really good

outside of a goal that a loose stick could have scored mayray showed he's too soft to be on the team - especially when we need a bruiser to play with bennet to dominate people back like the blues do

not too upset tbh. they usually wallop the flames a lot worse and the boys showed they can beat them if they play 60 minute games

also cannot wait till brodie comes back

[activeStick]

What's with the "literally" joke?

[greentree]

Huh. Hartley on Frolik tonight: "He was okay."

[Caged Great]

The Flames are usually terrible against St. Louis.

The key thing that they needed to do tonight was at least be close in terms of play. Were they hammered in the 2nd period, yes and that is still a concern, but they heavily outplayed them in the third and were equal to them in the first. That is very important because in the past few years, they never got even remotely close to being equal at any point in any game against them.

Does it suck they didn't get a point, sure. Is it encouraging that they can play with one of the best teams in the league, definitely. They don't play another Western conference elite team until Nov. 15 against Chicago, so this was a good barometer to measure where this team is at. This is the least angry I have been at a loss in a long time.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by activeStick

What's with the "literally" joke?

Start reading half way through the GT thread and you will literally instantly understand.

[_Q_]

I don't think they looked particularly bad, but not particularly great either.

Backlund has looked horrendous so far this season in my opinion.

[FBI]

Yeah the third period was so good that it's hard to get too upset. Still want Ortio to get his shot though.

[Vinny01]

I thought Johnny was great again. He has taken his game to another level, Monahan looked good as well. Hudler appeared to be cherry picking way too much. I like Frolik's game quite a bit he was always after the puck. Backlund has been invisible.

[Ryan Coke]

So I guess I'd have to hit the game thread to see people misusing the word literally only to try to justify it.

On the game, the team can't give up 4 and plan on winning. They need to stop the too frequent defensive breakdowns.

[tvp2003]

St. Louis is a good team. Nobody except maybe Anaheim or Winnipeg will push them around.

Wideman and Russell look like they're struggling out there together. Missed on a number of outlet passes trying to break out. Maybe when Brodie comes back, Dougie can play with Russell and let Wideman play with Kulak.

Those goals from the blue line were classic Hiller goals. Limited ability to track the puck and make the save unless it hits him. That 4-2 goal was especially deflating. Would love to see Ortio get one of the next two games (back-to-back), preferably the home game against the Greasers.

[Galakanokis]

There's lots to like. You can see there is talent it just needs a bit of time to mesh and get going. Bennett is close. You can see his confidence growing and it won't be long until he starts potting a few. Same for Ferland, he does a lot of things right on the ice and I think he will be rewarded for that soon. I wouldn't mind moving Ferland up with Gaudreau for a bit just to jump start Bennett with Hudler.

####ty for Bouma, that ankle didn't look good. You have to figure Granlund gets the call up, he had an excellent camp.

Give Ortio the start. Might as well find out what you have.

What an exciting third period.

[Textcritic]

I was entertained.

There is no way the Flames lose all their games to St. Louis this season.

[hockey.modern]

Judging by Hartley's comment, I doubt we see Ortio next game.