[PGT] PIMKing's Flames defeat Preds in shootout

[PIMking]

Dion where do you get those?

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by theinfinitejar

Gio and Brodie are incredible. Kris Russell is very good. The rest of our D is a dumpster fire.

Smid was very solid tonight. Being one of the last Wideman supporters, I just can't anymore. Stone hands tonight and a terrible pinch that led to the 2 on 1 where Russell had to bail him out.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Falclore

Is it just me, or wouldn't it be nice to see Gaudreau out with Backlund, Gio and Brodie in the OT to try and score other than having Glencross and his lack of effort out there? Pretty sure those 3 can take away most of the defensive liability away from Johnny out there.

That is a bad idea putting gaudreau against other teams top players. I like him but he just doesn't seem ready at all for that kind of responsibility.

[Huntingwhale]

Terrible selection of game stars. Where was Brodie? Why Ribeiro or Setoguchi? Oh well, Ramo is King and we won!!

[Sylvanfan]

With a real top defence pairing and solid goaltending, the Flames likely will be picking no higher than 4 come June.

[Galakanokis]

I know it's been said a lot lately but man Brodie is good. Does so many things right and never hangs a man out to dry. He is top notch right now.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Setoguchi had a solid game.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Finally looked like the team from last year.

Brodie and Ramo in beast mode.

Backlund and Russell with solid games. Monahan with his best game of the year.

And the haters are going to hate this, but Setoguchi with a very good game. Has gotten better in each game.

Me . His skating is horribl . Suckoguchi looks ackward trying to move around.

[burn_this_city]

netminder?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by PIMking

Dion where do you get those?

Flames website -> multi media -> Flames photo gallery

http://flames.nhl.com/club/gallery.htm

[GreenLantern2814]

I know our management's not huge into the analytics, but I was legitimately amazed to see how much time the puck spends on Backlund's stick when he's on the ice. And if we want to borrow Burke's attitude of 'analytics are like a lamp post for a drunk - useful for support, not so much for illumination', why don't we match our players that DO play strong possession games together? Like, it's literally everyone else's job just to play good defense, and get an offensive zone faceoff. Then we send out the Corsi people, and they work it around before they score.

Clearly there's more to it, but I mean, come on. Backlund and Glencross are not a good combination.

Ramo looks awesome. Hiller should still start tomorrow, and the war for the crease is nowhere near done IMO.

Setoguchi is a horrific skater. But maybe he can still do things.

Brodie and Gio are awesome. Brodie looks like prime Brian Campbell with the puck on his stick.

Gaudreau is going to be fine. But he could do with some PP time.

Speaking of, the powerplay still has very little direction. There's no clear triggerman, no clear strategy, and it's way too improvisational. Leave the improvising to Gaudreau. And put him on the goddamn PP.

Good win. I hope we win the lottery.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Robo

That is a bad idea putting gaudreau against other teams top players. I like him but he just doesn't seem ready at all for that kind of responsibility.

The problem is, on the road Hartley doesn't have as much control over his matchups. The good thing is that he's starting to do little things at both ends of the ice that indicate he's learning to play the NHL game. He should be seeing the ice on the PP a lot more though (which Hartley needs to do a better job of doing).

I would imagine he'll end up in the AHL for a month or two at some point to fine tune everything, but I'm sure he gets an extended look and the chance to play on home ice a lot more before that happens (where he has a better chance of putting up some numbers).

[AcGold]

Gaudreau is doing fine, he's visibly scared of getting hit and he's not skating. He needs a little confidence to get his swagger because the skills there he's just freezing up. Going back to Addy to put up points won't help as much as getting rid of the nerves, Johnny's problem is 100% experience or lack thereof. I've watched carefully and he keeps getting close to the boards and freezing up when he has the puck, something he usually doesn't do. It's to be expected, nobody besides Monahan has slotted in and been able to keep up

[stone hands]

the good:

Ramo was great. Gio+Brodie great as always.
Loved seeing colborn be physical out there(he knocked weber over, so sick)
glenny looked like he gave a damn for the most part
glad bouma isnt hurt

the bad:
gaudreau and monahan coughed the puck up quite a few times.
monahan at least still looks like he's improving though making some pretty wacky decisions in the last few games.
gaudreau seems...tired? It might be the flu but he's definitely not dancing around people like he was in the pre-season. could just be getting used to playing every other night

[Five-hole]

How is nobody talking about how Engelland sucks? Is it just me? He is constantly behind the play, his gap control is atrocious, he doesn't seem to know where to be on the ice, he's slow, makes bad give-aways and bad decisions, and hasn't supplied any real toughness.

What is this guy providing exactly? He's making Dennis Wideman look like Duncan Keith.

Also, a Mayan long count calendar elapses while Smid is trying to get his shot off. Yikes. Really like the guy aside from that, though.

[stone hands]

he's always facewashin dudes though

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

How is nobody talking about how Engelland sucks? Is it just me? He is constantly behind the play, his gap control is atrocious, he doesn't seem to know where to be on the ice, he's slow, makes bad give-aways and bad decisions, and hasn't supplied any real toughness.

What is this guy providing exactly? He's making Dennis Wideman look like Duncan Keith.

Also, a Mayan long count calendar elapses while Smid is trying to get his shot off. Yikes. Really like the guy aside from that, though.

Who would you replace him with. I'm sure Chris Butler is available. Also, I don't think he's been that bad, and like the other poster said, face washes and things of this nature. Plus in the Vancouver game he roughed up a Sedin and then caught Bieska's attempted sneak attack coming and elbowed him in the face......so ya know.

[Goodlad]

My (very drunken) take on the game:

I felt like all of our off-season acquisitions had very good games. Seto seemed like he finally realized this might be his last chance in the league. He was skating hard out there, hustling back on defense, and fighting along the boards. I remember at one point thinking "WTF Hartley! Why is Gooch out on the first PP!" Then almost immediately after that he set up a great chance.

Bollig also had a pretty good game. This was the first time that I remembered he was on our team after the game. He made some pretty solid moves towards the net, laid a few guys out....pretty much what a great 4th liner does.

Engelland had a few WTF moments, but for the most part did exactly what a bottom six guy does. Block shots, throw the body around, and hope the puck gets out of the zone. Really overpaid for what he brings to the team.

Raymond looked much more like TO Raymond that BC Raymond. Handled the puck well, battled hard in the corners....basically looked like a guy that's proud to play for the crest on his jersey. Love seeing the effort from him.

Past that I thought Brodie and Gio looked fantastic. There was obviously a directive from management for those two to become more involved in the offense of this team, and they clearly embraced it. Brodie has basically been the 4th forward all season. That speaks to his confidence in his offensive ability, and to his confidence in his defense partner. Gio is picking up right where he left off. If he can stay healthy this season he'll be a Norris candidate. He's the total package. I don't think anyone could question that.

Monahan looks like he is taking on more responsibility than anyone his age should....and doing an admirable job of it. When he was drafted, he was hyped as a great playmaker/shut-down center....we didn't see any of that last season. He was fed soft minutes and easy matchups, and excelled because of that. This season he's had everyone gunning for him, and it's showed. His production has been almost completely shut down (besides a few lucky bounces). Regardless he's been doing the things that win your team games. His faceoff percentage is much better than last year's. His added muscle mass has helped him win a lot of board battles and fights in front of the net that haven't yet ended up as points, but those will come. My bold prediction is that Monahan will match his points total from last season, but this year they will be dirty veteran points.

Beyond that there's really only Gaudreau left to talk about. He's been somewhat disappointing so far......but I really feel like he's about to make all of the doubters feel stupid. We've all seen that at every step up in play it's taken him a few games to adjust to the scenario. It feels like this is the same thing. Watching him play it seems like he is really focused on not making mistakes defensifely. There have been a lot of times where he makes the safe play and chips it in...which is completely not his game.

I hate to say it but watching Gaudreau I feel a lot of the same feels I had when Baertschi played. Every time Bart touched the puck I thought " This is the play where he shows those mouth-breathing HF'ers that he's not a bust", but it was usually a dump in. I've been one of the Gaudreau supporters from the start (which I'm sure is going to be a popular stance soon) but I haven't been very impressed with his play so far.

Kari Ramo does not get nearly enough respect around the league. Guy leaves an un-tenable situation in TB for the KHL and everyone decides he quit on the league...and will never be an elite goalie...At this point I'm more confident in Ramo than Hiller, and Hiller has been pretty good.....

Alright, I need to sleep

[PIMking]

Well it's 1:30am and I made it home. A successful trip if you ask me.

Apparently I had seats tickets that were available to go to the "lexus area" which had free food, booze and right where the players came on to the ice. the face value were $162 per ticket and I got them for $60.

Oh well live and learn, next time I'm getting hammered

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

My (very drunken) take on the game:

I felt like all of our off-season acquisitions had very good games. Seto seemed like he finally realized this might be his last chance in the league. He was skating hard out there, hustling back on defense, and fighting along the boards. I remember at one point thinking "WTF Hartley! Why is Gooch out on the first PP!" Then almost immediately after that he set up a great chance.

Bollig also had a pretty good game. This was the first time that I remembered he was on our team after the game. He made some pretty solid moves towards the net, laid a few guys out....pretty much what a great 4th liner does.

Engelland had a few WTF moments, but for the most part did exactly what a bottom six guy does. Block shots, throw the body around, and hope the puck gets out of the zone. Really overpaid for what he brings to the team.

Raymond looked much more like TO Raymond that BC Raymond. Handled the puck well, battled hard in the corners....basically looked like a guy that's proud to play for the crest on his jersey. Love seeing the effort from him.

Past that I thought Brodie and Gio looked fantastic. There was obviously a directive from management for those two to become more involved in the offense of this team, and they clearly embraced it. Brodie has basically been the 4th forward all season. That speaks to his confidence in his offensive ability, and to his confidence in his defense partner. Gio is picking up right where he left off. If he can stay healthy this season he'll be a Norris candidate. He's the total package. I don't think anyone could question that.

Monahan looks like he is taking on more responsibility than anyone his age should....and doing an admirable job of it. When he was drafted, he was hyped as a great playmaker/shut-down center....we didn't see any of that last season. He was fed soft minutes and easy matchups, and excelled because of that. This season he's had everyone gunning for him, and it's showed. His production has been almost completely shut down (besides a few lucky bounces). Regardless he's been doing the things that win your team games. His faceoff percentage is much better than last year's. His added muscle mass has helped him win a lot of board battles and fights in front of the net that haven't yet ended up as points, but those will come. My bold prediction is that Monahan will match his points total from last season, but this year they will be dirty veteran points.

Beyond that there's really only Gaudreau left to talk about. He's been somewhat disappointing so far......but I really feel like he's about to make all of the doubters feel stupid. We've all seen that at every step up in play it's taken him a few games to adjust to the scenario. It feels like this is the same thing. Watching him play it seems like he is really focused on not making mistakes defensifely. There have been a lot of times where he makes the safe play and chips it in...which is completely not his game.

I hate to say it but watching Gaudreau I feel a lot of the same feels I had when Baertschi played. Every time Bart touched the puck I thought " This is the play where he shows those mouth-breathing HF'ers that he's not a bust", but it was usually a dump in. I've been one of the Gaudreau supporters from the start (which I'm sure is going to be a popular stance soon) but I haven't been very impressed with his play so far.

Kari Ramo does not get nearly enough respect around the league. Guy leaves an un-tenable situation in TB for the KHL and everyone decides he quit on the league...and will never be an elite goalie...At this point I'm more confident in Ramo than Hiller, and Hiller has been pretty good.....

Alright, I need to sleep

Gio also left for the KHL. Both have turned in to very impressive stories. Gio definitely, Ramo so far, but I am optimistic.