[PGT] Hawks 4 - Flames 3

[thefoss1957]

Clearly, the Flames did not get a good enough start, at one point down 8-0 in SOG and 2-0 on the scoreboard...they did much better after the 1st PP, and started to skate...there was a lot of trading chances, with small lapses of being hemmed in at times...the 'Hawks cycle was "on" tonight, in terms of possession, but, the Flames did a pretty good job of keep the cycle on the perimeter...the 'Hawks were limited to just over 1/2 of their SOG average...Giordano/Brodie held the Toews/Hossa/Saad line down pretty well, it was the Kane on the 2nd and 4th lines cycling clinic that gave your guys fits...the Kruger/Carcillo/Nordstrom combo was pretty good on the forecheck too.

On the other end, Gadreau was nifty with those quick, darting attacks, and bursts around the net. and the basic lack of a Physical presence on the 'Hawks, as, aside from Seabrook, the 'Hawks generally have nobody that can clear guys from the slot, so guys were in Crawford's face, plus the 'Hawks are susceptible to getting ground down when pinned by a determined forecheck, lacking the ability to "muscle" the puck out.

On the GWG, some of you Flame fans seem a little harsh on Baertschi, after Hiller's misplay. What did the guy have, .3 seconds to try to fish the puck out of his skates while Kane was coming from his blind side? Really a no-win situation, and, perhaps he should have just grabbed Kane and taken a minor, but it all happened so quickly. A couple of things on the play, that Hiller failed to recognize...Kane, a RW, was coming in from the LW side, AND instead of taking away the boards as many wingers would, Kane pretty much attacked the weak side post as Hiller was reversing the puck. An unorthodox approach, that the Flames couldn't react quickly enough to.

The Flames were a little wasteful on some great chances in the 2nd...what was it, three 4 on 2s? And Reinhart missing a wide open net...unlucky.

Crawford did just enough, and the 'Hawks got a tough road win to start their 7000mile, 6 game "Circus Trip".

Your Flames battled back, and played an entertaining, up-tempo game, they just needed to get off to a better start.

Looking forward to the next H2H meeting...

[combustiblefuel]

I like the fact no one has noted stats for one guy part of the team has been trending upwards since his last team in the NHL.

That guy is Bob Hartley last team stats

Season GP W L OT Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2006–07 82 43 28 11 97 246 245 1st, Southeast Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Rangers)
2007–08 82 34 40 8 76 216 272 4th, Southeast Did not qualify
2008–09 82 35 41 6 76 257 280 4th, Southeast Did not qualify
2009–10 82 35 34 13 83 234 256 2nd, Southeast Did not qualify
2010–11 82 34 36 12 80 223 269 4th, Southeast Did not qualify


Since returning from his Championship year in The Swiss league

In Calgary


Calgary Flames 2012–13 48 19 25 - 4 42 4th in Northwest - - - Missed playoffs
Calgary Flames 2013–14 82 35 40 - 7 77 6th in Pacific - - - Missed playoffs
#CALGARY. 2014-15 21 12 7. - 66 57 4th in Pacific. - - season ongoing.





They are almont half way in wins as they were in all of last season and almost all the seasons in Atlanta.

[FlameZilla]

Couldn't watch the game last night, so I checked the scoreline as soon as I woke up. I think I half-expected them to win it somehow, so I was really disappointed – I had to remind myself that losing a tight game to the powerhouse Blackhawks isn't such a big deal. It just goes to show how far this team has exceeded expectations.

[442scotty]

Great game. Hiller, Meh...very average or below. But the guys played well.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Couldn't watch the game last night, so I checked the scoreline as soon as I woke up. I think I half-expected them to win it somehow, so I was really disappointed – I had to remind myself that losing a tight game to the powerhouse Blackhawks isn't such a big deal. It just goes to show how far this team has exceeded expectations.

I couldn't make the game either, so I was following it of the TSN game tracker. They screwed up and had it 3-3 throughout the third, up to 1:30 left. I figured it was OT, and was very happy. Then I recycled once and boom: 4-3 Hawks. Not in OT. In fact, midway thru the 3rd. Double disappointment.

[Gaskal]

I can't believe the Flames have spoiled me so much to the point that down 3 top 6 NHL players players and our 3D, I get mad over losing to the Hawks in a back and forth scrap.

Have to imagine that's what Hartley wants the boys to think.

[Huntingwhale]

Suck the Flames didn't win. But if they would have buried a couple of wide open chances they had then it's a different outcome. Hockey is about luck just as much as it is skill. Didn't get the bounces we needed, but overall a great game to watch. Just a shame we couldn't at least get a point out of it.

[CsInMyBlood]

I thought it was a great, intense game. The Hiller winning goal giveaway was a crappy way to end it, but after the two point robbery he made in our first meeting with the Hawks what can you really say?

Ferland is for real, another rookie that is going to make the NHL and be a player. Really is crazy how many of these legit players we have in our system that could easily push for an NHL spot. Treliving has some work to do on moving a vet or two to open up spots for these guys next season.

I love the direction this team is headed.

[PeteMoss]

Hiller hasn't been good for a while. I hope Ramo gets a chance to go on a run here.

[ForeverFlameFan]

We didn't play without:

Backlund
Stajan
Colborne
Raymond
Russell
Jones

We still bring out the same intensity every game, even with all of the injuries.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by blender

Monahan is one of our two best centers IMO, but still a fair point you make.

Monahan is Calgary's best centre.

There's just no two-ways about it anymore.

He's been 50% or over in 14 of 21 games so far, plays between 18 and 25 minutes a night, has 13 points in 21 games despite a cold start and has a lower shooting percentage than he did for the entirety of last year.

2 PIMs in 21 games, +4.

Twenty Years Old.

[Table 5]

Tons of annoying bandwagon Hawks fans at this game. I'm sure all those hardcore hawks fans wearing Toews/Kane jerseys were there for the Eric Daze days too.

[Flash Walken]

Unfortunately for Backlund, I don't think this team misses him much at all.

Granlund and Monahan may not have the advanced possession statistics Backlund can put up, but they are far more dangerous to to convert defensive zone time into goals for. Backlund seemed great for neutralizing defensive time, but he was never a threat to then take that puck the other way.

Opponents now have to be concerned about plays going the other way for Calgary, and that never seemed to be the case with Backlund.

I think at this point, Backlund is the odd one out.

[formulate]

Super entertaining game, throughout. Despite their less-than-brilliant record this year, Chicago is clearly one of the top teams in the league. Watching their puck control and passing in the offensive zone is a treat. Hossa especially; he's got to be one of the toughest guys in the league to knock off the puck. In the first period the 'Hawks clearly took it to us at even strength, and the powerplay kept us in it. Past that point, it looked fairly even, maybe a slight edge to Chicago in the second, and the Flames controlled the play most of the time in the third. I was pretty impressed.

I took a look at the shift chart, Toews had 23 shifts that were at least 20 seconds. Monahan was on the ice for (at least a good portion) of 20 of those shifts. Absolute 100% faith from Hartley sticking Sean out there against one of the best players in the league. It's awesome to see!

[Fire]

Hiller has been a below average goalie the last 5 games. Time to give Ramo a stretch of games.

I though Ferland was solid in his 10:52 of ice time. He'll be better the more games he plays.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Monahan is Calgary's best centre.

There's just no two-ways about it anymore.

I would say behind Gio and Brodie, Monahan is Calgary's best player. He is only going to get better. Time to grab my Monahan jersey me thinks.

[Chill Cosby]

Monahan is in the top 30-40 centers in the league right now, IMO, and can only get better

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Unfortunately for Backlund, I don't think this team misses him much at all.

Granlund and Monahan may not have the advanced possession statistics Backlund can put up, but they are far more dangerous to to convert defensive zone time into goals for. Backlund seemed great for neutralizing defensive time, but he was never a threat to then take that puck the other way.

Opponents now have to be concerned about plays going the other way for Calgary, and that never seemed to be the case with Backlund.

I think at this point, Backlund is the odd one out.

What? That's crazy talk sir. Backlund continually drove the offense last year. How quickly some forget. He is a 25 year old player that is just coming into his own. He had 18 goals and 39 points in 76 games last year, even with being buried on the 4th line for the first half of the season.

His 63 takeaways last season were good for 14th in the NHL and 5th among centers. His faceoffs this year are above 50%. This team does totally miss Backlund and he is far from the odd man. The guy plays his heart out every night.

I would bet there isn't a team in the NHL that wouldn't want what Backlund brings.

Matt Stajan on the other hand...

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

What? That's crazy talk sir. Backlund continually drove the offense last year. How quickly some forget. He is a 25 year old player that is just coming into his own. He had 18 goals and 39 points in 76 games last year, even with being buried on the 4th line for the first half of the season.

His 63 takeaways last season were good for 14th in the NHL and 5th among centers. His faceoffs this year are above 50%. This team does totally miss Backlund and he is far from the odd man. The guy plays his heart out every night.

I would bet there isn't a team in the NHL that wouldn't want what Backlund brings.

Matt Stajan on the other hand...

Stajan scored 4 less goals and 6 less points than backlund last year in 13 less games. Backlund took 108 more shots.

He may indeed be better defensively, but he just doesn't produce and that's a big problem if you're going to play more than 15 minutes per night.

I like Backlund, but it's pretty tough to argue with the results.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Tons of annoying bandwagon Hawks fans at this game. I'm sure all those hardcore hawks fans wearing Toews/Kane jerseys were there for the Eric Daze days too.

Ask them to pronounce his name.