[PGT] Bolts 4 Flames 3

[UKflames]

I am pleased to see that we have manged to stop Bennett's little flash of good play, we wouldn't want that on a regular basis. Keep him on the wing, he does far to well at centre.

[BigBrodieFan]

I guess I am the type of sports fan who wants my team to win every year. Rebuilding in my opinion, is BS and not something a professional team should do. This is why I loved the Broncos with Pat Bowlen as owner- he made it a point to be a contender EVERY SINGLE YEAR. His philosophy- if you aren’t a SB contender every year, it’s a failure and you have to strive to make it all the way the next year. Having said that, there is no way I would ever cheer for the Flames to not make the playoffs for future ‘maybes.’ I am going to cheer for our boys to make the playoffs and win, regardless if it’s an unpopular opinion. Life is too short to hope your team loses.

I am having a little family party for today’s game and we will all be cheering the boys on come hell or high water! Go Flames!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by UKflames

I am pleased to see that we have manged to stop Bennett's little flash of good play, we wouldn't want that on a regular basis. Keep him on the wing, he does far to well at centre.

Bennett has no control over his good or bad play I guess? For example, I don’t see how Bennett’s position made him take that dumb penalty the other night.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I've been a fan for longer and I could never imagine just switching allegiances.

Yes, there's been some tough times. But when they do hoist the big silver mug again it will just make it all the sweeter.

It's entertainment. Some days are rough, some are fun. It's a roller coaster. Just try to enjoy the ride.

Some? Try all (minus 04), i'm 33 and don't remember the late 80s.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Bennett has no control over his good or bad play I guess? For example, I don’t see how Bennett’s position made him take that dumb penalty the other night.

Bennett puts his stick in a bad spot, the player holds it and falls down.
Dube puts his free hand on a player, player holds it and falls down.

Bennett is an "idiot" and Dube got a "weak call" against him, funny how it works in here sometimes.

[ricardodw]

On the coaches no time out and putting out Bennett Lucic Backlund Gustavafson Hanifin and Mangiapane:

Victor Hedman finished the game with a 4:11 shift

I think that Ward was fully expecting for Tampa to call a time out to rest their best defenseman and if they didn't there should be an expectation that Lucic/Bennett would be able to physically dominate the dog tired Hedman.

Most of the last minute game tying goals involve physical play in the scoring zone in front of the net.

The only other options for the 2nd "wave" of offense talent to replace Bennett/Lucic would be Ryan and Brodie.

Who would have thought that the Flames from 2018-19 would turn out to be so short of scoring depth. Pretty sure that Ward would have put out Toffoli or Coleman or Pageau or .... one of the several top-6 guys that other teams added

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I’m not saying I agree, but the reason not to take a time out is to keep the best defensive players on TB on the bench. Perhaps Ward thought the match up was better.

This wasn't an icing...Tampa could and did change. Everyone but Hedman, who had been on the ice for the last 3-4 minutes, and stayed out. Who are the Selke matchups we were avoiding? I think it was the Cirelli line before that; they might be Tampas 'shut-down' line, though I'm not sure any of the lines really standout in that regard?

My only guess is that Ward thought Hedman would come off or be gassed. Weird to downgrade 5 players to work around 1.

Originally Posted by drewtastic

It’s like existing in a perpetual state of Groundhog Day, cheering for this team...

Same song for at least a decade...

Gio's quote is interesting...normal 'hockey talk' focuses on "60 mins"...Gio might be signalling about the last few minutes...or last minute in particular

[Erick Estrada]

It could be possible he's referencing the previous game where the Preds in fact did that and the Flames could not in their next game.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Bennett puts his stick in a bad spot, the player holds it and falls down.
Dube puts his free hand on a player, player holds it and falls down.

Bennett is an "idiot" and Dube got a "weak call" against him, funny how it works in here sometimes.

A. That’s a super generous interpretation of what Bennett did (for no real reason).

B. I never said anything about young Dube. When there’s some huge demand for Dube to play centre let me know.

[Harry Lime]

After the first four forwards left the ice, the next best talent would be Mangiapane, Dube (not on the ice), Bennett (at center to crash the net), and Ryan (tenacious and good puck control). Backlund has never been good in these situations, for whatever reason, and Lucic doesn't really cycle the puck well because of his slow pivot.

Does Ward not know his own players?

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

A. That’s a super generous interpretation of what Bennett did (for no real reason).

B. I never said anything about young Dube. When there’s some huge demand for Dube to play centre let me know.

A. Bennett reached around, but the player fell on his own, which he had done two times already that game, trying to draw a penalty. Bennett fault here was that he should have known Blackwood was playing a dirty game.

B. I'd rather have Dube or Bennett at center instead of Jankowski.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

A. Bennett reached around, but the player fell on his own, which he had done two times already that game, trying to draw a penalty. Bennett fault here was that he should have known Blackwood was playing a dirty game.

B. I'd rather have Dube or Bennett at center instead of Jankowski.

Id be happy to see Jankowski out of the lineup. I suspect the only reason he’s at C instead of Bennett on that line is that they’ve tried in practice and he’s hopeless. So while Bennett is better at C it might be more than offset by putting Jankowski on wing. My solution would be to cut bait on him and bring up Gawain, Quine or even use Rinaldo

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Bennett has no control over his good or bad play I guess? For example, I don’t see how Bennett’s position made him take that dumb penalty the other night.

He was F1 when he took the penalty you're referring to. Typically as a center he would have been F3 or F2 and far less aggressive on the man, because he would have linemates to play the man. Bennett's far better at covering a zone and picking off passing lanes than he is at trying to body guys and pickpocket them, the latter resulting in overaggressive penalties.

He's also far more patient with more ice time than he is with less icetime. When he falls down the lineup he gets frustrated and sulks. Of course the solution around here is to ship him off for not being a perfectly mature vet as if he's not actually a 23 year old with higher expectations of himself than a checking winger.

I don't think Bennett is helpful to this team as a 4LW. Those penalties aren't removed from that.

I think he is helpful to this team in roles down the middle that give him confidence, patience, and responsibility. When is the last time he took a poor penalty at center? Probably back when Troy Brouwer was on his wing because Brouwer was just so useless on the forecheck. I also think he could help on either side of special teams yet he is trotted out there like Zac Rinaldo. In the previous game for instance people were whining about his 1 on 3 rush. How about the fact that he backchecked like a madman to break up what could have been a tip in for Palat, and then started the breakout right away? I think that has value even if you have to tolerate a failed rush. He isn't the only player who gets caught one on three.

Now, if you are referring to after-the-whistle stuff - Bennett is a hothead and I wouldn't want it any other way. You need a few guys like that.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I've been a fan for longer and I could never imagine just switching allegiances.

Yes, there's been some tough times. But when they do hoist the big silver mug again it will just make it all the sweeter.

It's entertainment. Some days are rough, some are fun. It's a roller coaster. Just try to enjoy the ride.

I've gained a slight fondness for the Canes, which was helped by their play in front of and treatment of Ayres.

They're far enough removed from the Flames that they feel like a safe #2 in case the wheels fall off this thing.

Flames are for life though. Even if they're being held back right now by a GM and coach that won't give them the best opportunity to succeed. I admire how much the top guys have dug in in recent weeks and I hope they don't quit now, even though it feels like they up against it.

Teams catch lightning in a bottle every year at just the right time. If they can keep that mojo and not get discouraged by games like the last two, the breaks will eventually go their way.

Here's to saving garbage bag day until at least may this year, in a season when nobody is expecting it. Gfg!

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

After the first four forwards left the ice, the next best talent would be Mangiapane, Dube (not on the ice), Bennett (at center to crash the net), and Ryan (tenacious and good puck control). Backlund has never been good in these situations, for whatever reason, and Lucic doesn't really cycle the puck well because of his slow pivot.

Does Ward not know his own players?

Pretty sure the way they Backlund is playing right now he should be in your first 6 players let alone the second 6.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Id be happy to see Jankowski out of the lineup. I suspect the only reason he’s at C instead of Bennett on that line is that they’ve tried in practice and he’s hopeless. So while Bennett is better at C it might be more than offset by putting Jankowski on wing. My solution would be to cut bait on him and bring up Gawain, Quine or even use Rinaldo

Jankowski has been used on the wing, both in college and in the AHL. He was perfectly competent at it. Even his powerplay role on the AHL squad was more of a winger type of role, and I feel his penalty kill role also represents that.

If Bob Hartley could convert Joe Colborne to wing, there's no reason a more intelligent player like Jankowski couldn't succeed there, after a short adjustment period.

The team's inflexibility is nothing new. The last three coaches have all suffered from this.

[Bingo]

Hey guys sorry for the lack of game story ... busy kids hockey weekend with city championships etc.

Whizzed through the game when I got home and didn't have the energy.

My late thoughts ...

- score flattered Calgary.
- Rittich still not "on" to me. Don't blame him on the first two, but that fourth one in particular has to be stopped
- odd no time out call, laughed reading all your reactions this morning
- team didn't quit, but they were pretty rough defensively.
- Hanifin had a tough afternoon in particular

Some stats

- the best one? Tampa 8-0 in high danger chances. Giving up 8 actually isn't bad, but only getting one???!??
- in all play it was 13-2 Tampa, which meets the eye test
- Bottom six got filled in by Tampa ... 20-35% for all of them.
- Bottom pairing was outstanding, led the team with 56% CF%
- Backlund line and Lindholm good games as well

Rittich ...

- now ranked 39th in GSAA and slipping
- since Jan 1 he's 56th out of 63 goalies that have played 250 minutes

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bingo

that fourth one in particular has to be stopped

The breakaway where the guy had time to deke around Rittich without a checker in his vicinity?

[Strange Brew]

Yeah the Rittich last season slides are a concern. Excuses have surfaced in last two years but sure looks like it could be a pattern. Going to be hard to trust him as a playoff goalie.

[rooster]

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

Johnny Gaudreau was calling for a timeout but the coach did not listen.

I try not to rag on coaches but that was a horrible mistake.

Sure we got out played. Yet maybe we tie it up with .1 seconds left.

Terrible coaching decision. No reason not to call a timeout!

If that is true that johnny could recognize the situation and Ward couldn't Ward needs to be replaced today. Rittich needs to sit for a while. You can't let those squeakers go between the arm and body. He is letting that happen every game.