[PGT] Caps 6 - Flames 2 - ORTIO PLEASE

[Hakan and the Loobs]

This team has zero confidence right now because there is so much uncertainty in net and poor play. Goaltending is so important and allows a team to play relaxed. Look at Montreal...they know they have the best goalie in the world and play with such confidence.

Even in my rec hockey league when we know we have the better goalie our team plays a lot better

[AcGold]

The problem is defensive coverage. The majority of goals against are because of the skaters making basic hockey mistakes, forwards and centre not covering high slot or the points.

D men making brutal breakout passes. They need to simplify the game in the defensive zone. They are playing like a WHL team, brutal breakout by everyone. The bad pinches and crappy goalies are second to the god awful coverage.

They don't play man or zone, the defenders don't stop shots from the rushing wingers, the other dman doesn't cover the pass. Nobody is doing anything in our own zone. Even an amazing goalie would lose with such bad dzone play. Engelland and Wideman are giveaway machines and Dougie ain't much better.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I dunno, if we're 25 points out of the playoffs in Feburary are you really going to be cheering for them to run the table?

Once they're out, they're out. Might as well look forward at that point.

You cheer to win. You don't cheer for your young players to learn to lose.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Do you guys thing something is wrong behind the scenes?

Yes, Brodie's hand is broken, so he's behind the scenes instead of on the ice.

[Brick]

Originally Posted by FFR

I thought that both Giordano and Hamilton looked better in the third period when they were split up. Granted, the entire team was better for the first half of the period, but Giordano was jumping up into the play again (presumably because he didn't feel he had to cover for Hamilton) and Hamilton made some solid defensive plays.

I also think the hate on Hamilton is a little ridiculous. The kid is 22 -lots of defencemen don't even play in the league until after 22. He's learning a new system and a new playing style. Cut him some slack. 5 games in and we're giving up on a 22 year old? This board is crazy - most people thought Treliving was a god after trading for him and now you give him 5 games and he's done. Crazy...

I think that hate is a pretty strong word. Most fans were happy to get Dougie Hamilton, myself included, but, he should have to earn his stripes, just like everyone else on the team. Personally, I think it was a good move to take him off the top pairing as he is learning a new system, etc., and that takes time. Put the guys that have already earned their way on this team into areas of responsibility accordingly. With time, Hamilton will show where he fits in best.

[calgaryblood]

For the guys saying "he's only 22"! I counter with "the Bruins obviously saw his flaws and didn't think he deserved a big contract until he actually proved something".

Now definitely not writing him off just think he needs to learn a lot.

[hockey.modern]

Is it me or has Engelland been under the radar in a good way? When I've watched him he isn't the Engelland that dumps pucks and ices it. He had many very good stretch passes throughout these past games and is keeping it under control in our own zone.

[DynamRyan]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I dunno, if we're 25 points out of the playoffs in Feburary are you really going to be cheering for them to run the table?



Once they're out, they're out. Might as well look forward at that point.

I have never, and will never understand this attitude. Even if we went 10-72-0 I'd want them to come out and play to win the game. Being rewarded for playing badly is disgusting, and it will be a disgusting philosophy until the end of goddamn time. It's a crying shame the NHL thinks this is a solution for parity. It's utter rubbish, and everyone knows it.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

Easy for a fan to say that...try telling the 23 guys in the room to go out and tank. Hartley, BT and Burke will never give this message to this team.

If fans of the flames think this is a possibility, you are cheering for the wrong team.

Hmm... I didn't say that nor would I advocate it.

Besides, with the new lottery, tanking would be pointless. Players themselves never tank either, it wouldn't make sense. I also doubt a manager or coach has ever, in the history of the NHL, asked a player to try not to win.

But that wasn't my point.

I'm just saying that if they're eliminated from playoff contention in game 69, as a fan, I'm not going to be cheering for a 13 game winning streak to end the season.

[#-3]

I want Brodie back.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by kehatch

You cheer to win. You don't cheer for your young players to learn to lose.

I never said I would cheer for them to lose.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by DynamRyan

I have never, and will never understand this attitude. Even if we went 10-72-0 I'd want them to come out and play to win the game. Being rewarded for playing badly is disgusting, and it will be a disgusting philosophy until the end of goddamn time. It's a crying shame the NHL thinks this is a solution for parity. It's utter rubbish, and everyone knows it.

And what is your solution?

[Caged Great]

Rebuilds are never a linear process. Stuff like this happen to teams that are in a transition period.

Typically it is the young players that under perform. Unfortunately for the Flames it is the veteran guys that are doing the damage. At least a season will tick off the bad contracts that are on the books.

[Samonadreau]

I for one want to see what happens when:

1. Brodie gets back
2. Goalie mess is figured out. Ortio plays well.
3. Gio keeps getting better.
4. Hamilton learns the system as the team gets better.
5. Bennet will pick it up and put up some points as the season goes on (remember Johnny's first 6 games last year).
6. Not sure if Russell and Wideman will figure things (and not suck) but if not make a trade or switch things up once Brodie is back you can let one of these guys sit and figure things out.
7. Backlund is a huge wildcard and needs to step it up.......

I dunno maybe im just getting used to losing but know we are better than this.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I never said I would cheer for them to lose.

Sounded like you were... or you insinuated that you would do that. I am sure you wouldn't outright yell and cheer out loud for the flames to lose but inside you would be.

I can't do that, I can't cheer for a team that would partake in something like that. The flames organization cares too much to let this continue, something will happen.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by DynamRyan

I have never, and will never understand this attitude. Even if we went 10-72-0 I'd want them to come out and play to win the game. Being rewarded for playing badly is disgusting, and it will be a disgusting philosophy until the end of goddamn time. It's a crying shame the NHL thinks this is a solution for parity. It's utter rubbish, and everyone knows it.

Don't worry, they got rid of that "reward" with the new draft rules.

All I said was, as a fan, I don't care about the W's after they're eliminated. I care about effort and showing positive signs for next year not the literal accumulation of more points when we're already out of it.

There is a difference between that and cheering for losses (something I would never do btw)

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

For the guys saying "he's only 22"! I counter with "the Bruins obviously saw his flaws and didn't think he deserved a big contract until he actually proved something".

Now definitely not writing him off just think he needs to learn a lot.

From many accounts, the Bruins offered him a nearly identical contract.

So whatever they saw, they still thought he was worth as much as we gave him.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

For the guys saying "he's only 22"! I counter with "the Bruins obviously saw his flaws and didn't think he deserved a big contract until he actually proved something".

Now definitely not writing him off just think he needs to learn a lot.

Didn't the Bruins offer him basically the same contract and he turned them down?

[calumniate]

They're basically trapping their own damn selves on offense,leading to brutal turnovers. I thought going to the game for the first time this year would reverse the fortunes. Nope! Dougie was hot garbage and not even close to first pairing, but wideman sure had a rough night too.

I do believe the team can play better though.. hopefully sooner than later

[Stay Golden]

I noticed at the game a smattering of booing raining down from the fans.
If the low level of effort continues from this team the jeers are going to get worse and more notable.
Btw that's not on the a bad fan base that is on the players.
Fans appreciate efffort in a loss but not this nonsense we are watching.