[PGT] Flames lose to Senetors 6-0

[GioforPM]

Glad I missed the game. I will watch tonight, though. And if they win I know what I have to do.

[bigrangy]

So was anyone actually bad or did the team just get out-coached while losing the goalie battle? Based on the comments and the fancies it certainly looked like the Flames outplayed them by a fairly big margin until the penalties started.

It sounds like the Boucher-trap and Anderson frustrated the Flames and then they just sort of fell apart once the game seemed lost.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

So was anyone actually bad or did the team just get out-coached while losing the goalie battle? Based on the comments and the fancies it certainly looked like the Flames outplayed them by a fairly big margin until the penalties started.

It sounds like the Boucher-trap and Anderson frustrated the Flames and then they just sort of fell apart once the game seemed lost.

The Flames worked hard, but it played into Boucher's garbage system. I was a disappointed there was no game plan to break through their trap/collapsing defense. Once we were in the offensive zone, we settled for taking low quality shots from a distance, which were blocked relentlessly. I don't think Anderson was ever really tested.

[SportsJunky]

I don't think the team was out-coached. Personally, I think the players were unable to cash in on some great cycling and puck pursuit work that they did in the first half of the game. After that, they couldn't get much going with the penalty trouble that they got into.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Why do you think the team was out coached? Personally, I think the players were unable to cash in on some great cycling and puck pursuit work that they did in the first half of the game. After that, they couldn't get much going with the penalty trouble that they got into.

The Flames should have looked to create more off the rush, but instead continued with their 5 man unit moving up the ice together. Which is a solid plan, except for when you're up against a team that traps the way Ottawa does and collapses in front of their own net. Generating off the rush doesn't allow them (the Sens) the chance to get back and set-up.

I thought the Flames played hard until the 3rd period meltdown, but during those first 2 periods they generated...1? scoring chance. The Bennett to Jagr play from behind the net. Everything else played directly into Ottawa's strengths. The Sens hope you cycle in their zone, because it's not going to work given their collapsing 5 man unit. You have to attack with speed. Games like last night, where the opposition doesn't effectively use speed on their breakout, is exactly why Ottawa had the success they did in the playoffs last year.

I'm in no way saying Gully is a bad coach. I like the guy, I just would have hoped the team would have been a bit more prepared for it.

On the flip side, I do hate Boucher - because he coaches garbage hockey.

[Heavy Jack]

From last night I am hoping to see Jagr jump into a line with Monahan but to stay with Versteeg. We need to get Bennett's motor going and Johnny has shown he can do that:

Gaudreau - Bennett - Ferland/Lazar
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Monahan - Jagr
Brouwer - Stajan - Ferland/Lazar
Glass, Hamilton

It's a more balanced attack IMO

[bubbsy]

Just landed in cgy and missed the game due to family stuff. Glad I did. This team never seems to be able to stop in being predictably unpredictable, consistently inconsistent.

[Enoch Root]

It was a frustrating night.

First of all, the faceoff issue is ridiculous. And it was the Flame every time. Also, someone mentioned above that the issue has to do with the cross hatch. But if so, why were there so many guys tossed during faceoffs at the blueline where there is no cross hatch? And on that note, how ridiculous is it when they are tossing guys in the neutral zone? DROP. THE. FRICKING. PUCK!

I try not to blame the refs, but I thought Ottawa got away with a lot of clutching and hooking for a game where the refs seemed to want to call everything. Oh well, doesn't excuse the lack of discipline.

[Enoch Root]

Now to the real frustrations...

I thought the Flames' gap control was really weak - gave the Sens way too much space. The weird thing is that it was like that early last year, but then improved. Why the regression?

Same with the PK. VERY passive early last year, then got much better. Now we are back to super passive, and giving the other team way too much time and space.

As to the rush and the trap... EVERYONE knew what the Sens were going to do, with their 1-3-1 neutral zone trap. And yes, the Flames want to be a possession team and move up the ice as a unit. But last night, so many times, they would get the puck, then turn back and set up, allowing the Sens to re-set their 1-3-1. Over and over, the Flames played right into their hands by regrouping and letting the Sens regroup.

I really miss the transitional rush. And I think it is the Flames' best weapon.

Beyond frustrated at watching us continually circle back, throw it back to the D, and then have the forwards standing still waiting for a pass to tip into the zone, only to lose the race to the corner because they were standing still.

The Flames only win when they are skating.

[MoneyGuy]

i can't be the only one going crazy with the spelling error in the thread title.

[djsFlames]

Bennett hasn't been a difference maker since his 4 goal night. Time to look at putting him on the wing with less responsibility and more chance to thrive, and getting janko up here on center duty.

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

i can't be the only one going crazy with the spelling error in the thread title.

We have to be careful that we know the OPs origin language before being critical......

[Resolute 14]

If we play tonight the way we played the first 30 last night, it's going to take some crazy goaltending for the Canucks to beat us. That's the silver lining.

The litany of bad penalties killed us, and then the team just quit in the third period. Versteeg's feeble stick check and then controller disconnected moment that led to the 4-0 goal was the most egregious example.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Bennett hasn't been a difference maker since his 4 goal night. Time to look at putting him on the wing with less responsibility and more chance to thrive, and getting janko up here on center duty.

Except we can't without demoting another player.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Except we can't without demoting another player.

Waive Glass then. Done.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Waive Glass then. Done.

I’m onboard, doesn’t look like the team is though.

Also, I think people need to relax on the Bennett expectations. His development path is going to take some time. Think Backlund. Right now, he’s the 3rd line centre on a playoff team, and if it weren’t for expectations that we put on him early in his career, we’d be happy with that. He’s not costing us games, and the 3rd line is giving us effective minutes. Patience, and perspective are required.

People writing Bennett off as “not good”is as foolish as when I was writing Backlund off 3 years ago as a guy that you can’t win with. Bennett is ahead of where Backlund was at a similar stage in his career, and that gives plenty of hope for the team moving forward.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I’m onboard, doesn’t look like the team is though.

Also, I think people need to relax on the Bennett expectations. His development path is going to take some time. Think Backlund. Right now, he’s the 3rd line centre on a playoff team, and if it weren’t for expectations that we put on him early in his career, we’d be happy with that. He’s not costing us games, and the 3rd line is giving us effective minutes. Patience, and perspective are required.

I don't want to unload Bennett. I think they should try and get him going though, his confidence is shot. Try him with Gaudreau & Monahan for a couple games, it's not going to destroy everything he's learned at center.

[ricosuave]

I just don't understand why they don't put him on the wing every now and again to at least keep his confidence up.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Well we did beat Winnipeg after being shutout, so survey says we beat the canucks. Maybe they were just saying their goals for the Vancouver game.

Ooops I forgot about the Winnipeg Jets. My bad.. I guess we can beat a Canadian team

[IgiTang]

3-0 in my Flames "onesey" (how the hell do you even spell it?)

And 0-2 when not wearing it. I'm gonna look pretty stupid at my buddies place tonight surrounded by Canucks fans... in my Onesey?..

Anything for the team! GFG!