[GDT] Flames vs. Flyers, 7 pm, SNW

[neo45]

Del Zotto must be healthy. Poor Vinny

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

IMO Hiller's last couple games were better than Ramo's last couple. Ramo was great on the eastern roadie, but Hiller saved the Ottawa game, looked good in the back to back start, and last game made some great saves and could not be blamed on the 3 that got by. Ramo wasn't great against Colorado, and was very reboundy in the games just before, despite the wins.

Not sure how that's playing like ### or letting soft goals in.

Hiller looked like dog #### against Toronto. We were lucky that they are such a brutal team otherwise we could be looking at 3 straight in the L column.

[BigFlameDog]

Any coach that decides his lineup based on what "gear" a player has should be instantly fired.

Going by that awesome reasoning...Sven just should have bought some sweet retro coloured skates and made sure to let everyone know it.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by HartAttack

Yeah it actually is a serious post.

In a team dynamic, I'm sure Hiller's teammates almost expected for him to get the start on Retro night, just based on his 'preparation' for the game, and are likely surprised to see Ramo being given the start...

Hiller did not have better "preparation" for this game because he ordered a new mask and pads. It's been a 1A/1B situation all year -- you could even argue Hiller was being presumptuous by getting all new gear for a game that there was a good chance he'd be sitting on the bench (note: I actually don't believe that to be the case -- these guys are pros and things like "goalie gear" aren't going to matter to his teammates one way or the other).

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by HartAttack

Yeah it actually is a serious post.

In a team dynamic, I'm sure Hiller's teammates almost expected for him to get the start on Retro night, just based on his 'preparation' for the game, and are likely surprised to see Ramo being given the start. From a fan's standpoint, there seems to be no real good reason that Ramo was chosen over Hiller for this game.

I just think it could create some potential internal drama in the locker room. Surely the guys in the room would be pumped about Hiller's new gear, with a couple guys suggesting the Retro's should be the Flames standard home jersey. With a bit of hype surrounding Retro night, it just seems odd that Hartley went against the grain, and could create some internal drama/controversy where it isn't needed.

Ultimately, I understand that Bob makes his decision based on what he sees in practice and morning skate (based on performance). But the PR decision should have been to start Hiller, and he's given the team no reason to decide otherwise. That's all I'm saying.

Wait a minute... is this a serious post, too?

"Potential internal drama"? All the hard work of building a team identity and playing for each other destroyed... by equipment?

[Geeoff]

Ramo has outplayed Hiller recently. His last outing was pretty bad but I think it makes sense to go with Ramo, as he was the last one to get hot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Ramo has outplayed Hiller recently. His last outing was pretty bad but I think it makes sense to go with Ramo, as he was the last one to get hot.

Not arguing the coach's choice - just the notion that Hiller has been bad, or that Ramo has been way better. Their stats are almost identical (Ramo better GAA and Hiller better save%, but both really close. I thought Hiller was one of 3 or 4 Flames that had a good game last outing.

But yeah, with this 1A 1B setup, I go with whoever Hartley feels has the better game right now, or in practice. He's obviously not biased for Ramo, having giving the starts about 2/3 to Hiller.

[puckedoff]

I don't know who has been in net over the last 5 games (maybe the wife is right about the drinkin') but Flames have given up 17 goals in those 5 games.

Need to put a goalie in who can make that stop. (IMO Ramo is the better goalie right now).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

I don't know who has been in net over the last 5 games (maybe the wife is right about the drinkin') but Flames have given up 17 goals in those 5 games.

Need to put a goalie in who can make that stop. (IMO Ramo is the better goalie right now).

Hiller and Ramo each let in 3 in their last 2 starts (they alternated). Nether guy was really spectacular IMO (you are right about making "that stop", though I thought maybe the 2 on 1 save against the Blues would be one). The game before that was the Ottawa game where Ramo let in 4 on 23 shots and the Hiller came in and went 19 for 19.

I pause to mention that IMO Hiller was OK against Toronto, as 2 of the 3 goals were deflections and the other was a bouncer.

Before that Ramo was great on his run versus, and Hiller was good in the one start he got against Detroit. Before that Hiller was not good against Anaheim, but was fine before that.

[foshizzle11]

If the team is letting 3 or more goals in, the goaltending isn't good enough. We need to get better at stopping the puck from going in the net. Right now I still think Ramo should be playing. They all know that they need to win tonight and the coach is picking Ramo.

Equipment should never determine who plays and when. Just a silly notion.

[HartAttack]

Well the general sentiment here appears to say that I'm reading wayyy to much into Hiller's new gear, and that the guys in the room couldn't care less about this non-issue.

I don't disagree with any of your replies, but find it somewhat humorous that 'this can't be real life' that I feel like it could have been an issue. Check twitter, there are many folks who are surprised Ramo get's the start, given that the team has pumped up this Retro game, marketing Hiller's new gear in recent weeks.

Anyway, thanks for the debate. Hoping Ramo stands on his head tonight. GFG!!

[foshizzle11]

double post.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by HartAttack

Well the general sentiment here appears to say that I'm reading wayyy to much into Hiller's new gear, and that the guys in the room couldn't care less about this non-issue.

I don't disagree with any of your replies, but find it somewhat humorous that 'this can't be real life' that I feel like it could have been an issue. Check twitter, there are many folks who are surprised Ramo get's the start, given that the team has pumped up this Retro game, marketing Hiller's new gear in recent weeks.

Anyway, thanks for the debate. Hoping Ramo stands on his head tonight. GFG!!

Please do not reference Twitter because it's retro night. Twitter didn't exist back in the day, therefor cannot be used in an argument in regards to retro night and retro equipment

[Nme-Territory]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Please do not reference Twitter because it's retro night. Twitter didn't exist back in the day, therefor cannot be used in an argument in regards to retro night and retro equipment

For that reason, please refrain from using emoticons. In fact, stop using the internet all together...

I understand that the players themselves may not think that Hiller should get the start based on the equipment, but you have to think there is small part that questions why the organization was pumping up the equipment before the starter was announced. To me, this smacks of the Luongo/Heritage Classic debacle, but on a much smaller scale.

[GioforPM]

At least Hiller's nice new equipment won't get all sweaty and dirty.

[btimbit]

I wanted to see Hillers gear as much as the next guy, but whoever gives us a better shot to win should play.

Ramo really needs to get some colour on his pads though, not just for retro night but in general. White with black scuff marks... not a great colour scheme.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Nme-Territory

For that reason, please refrain from using emoticons. In fact, stop using the internet all together...

I understand that the players themselves may not think that Hiller should get the start based on the equipment, but you have to think there is small part that questions why the organization was pumping up the equipment before the starter was announced. To me, this smacks of the Luongo/Heritage Classic debacle, but on a much smaller scale.

What? It doesn't resemble that situation at all. Luongo wanted to play because it was the heritage classic and he should have because he was the starter. Those games are big events and even the backup goalies get new gear for them. Not at all comparable to retro night at the Saddledome, especially when we have had a 1a 1b situation all year.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by btimbit

White with black scuff marks... not a great colour scheme.

I am totally completely fine with it because

[drewtastic]

Here's some material I'm testing out for my upcoming comedy tour, exclusively using CP posts as joke premises:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

There should never be "PR decisions" about the lineup. Especially during a playoff race.

Is it acceptable to make decisions off of THAT kind of PR? Uh-oh! (Add: Rim shot; canned laughter; applause)

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

You honestly think any of the guys on the team are "pumped" about Hillers new gear and are now upset with Bob Hartley? Drama in the locker room?

Is this real life?

...Or is this just FAN-tasy? Because he's a FAN and he MADE IT UP! Zoinks!(Add: groan; tumbleweed; bottle thrown at stage; getaway banjo music)

(You're Welcome.)

[Nme-Territory]

Originally Posted by bax

What? It doesn't resemble that situation at all. Luongo wanted to play because it was the heritage classic and he should have because he was the starter. Those games are big events and even the backup goalies get new gear for them. Not at all comparable to retro night at the Saddledome, especially when we have had a 1a 1b situation all year.

Hiller's effort with respect to his gear clearly indicates that he feels he should be starting this game. I'm not sure how you don't see that parallel. Of course the Heritage Classic is a bigger game and the divide between the two goalies was bigger... I can't even question that. However, the point is that Hiller clearly thinks he deserves to start this game.