[PGT] Flames 2 Hawks 3

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

I know it's an olympic year and they can't get the schedule perfect, but this is unacceptable. I'll have to take a late lunch to even watch a period of this. FnBS.

Waaah, waaah.

One of the only games this year that I'm not working for. We don't all work 9-5 ya know. I'm sure most of you can PVR it.

[flamesfan1297]

way to blow another lead calgary. putting out the fourth line, brillian. Ramo needs to start next game, that loss wasa partially Berra fault

[dino7c]

big fan of Sven's post game interview, no excuses

should have had it, shouldn't have iced it...good for him, hope he plays well next game

[Dion]

Hartley on why we lost

"I've said it many times," Hartley lectured. "It's one thing to know how to play the game. It's another to know how to win the game. There are many mistakes that we're going to be able to take away from our game with more experience. Better decisions, lots of times, comes with a better understanding of the game. Some of our young players, they got into some trouble on some plays (Wednesday).

"But hey, it's not for a lack of effort. That's for sure."

"That was something we were trying to guard against," Hartley said. "Because, No. 1, we know the firepower of that team. They played basically the same trick to the Vancouver Canucks a few nights ago. You make a few mistakes and they're so skilled that they'll make you pay for it. And it's too bad. I felt they played very well and we showed up to play.

"I feel our players, maybe minus a few decisions in the third period, played a great game."

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...621/story.html

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by dino7c

missed net, icing, turnover at the blueline that lead directly to the winning goal

if there is a goat its him...I never said he wasn't an NHL player like I'm being accused of. I do question if he has what it takes to be a high impact NHL player but so do Flames management so I can't be too far out to lunch.

I have my opinion you have yours no need to FmyP

I think this all depends on what your definition of a "high impact NHL player" is. If you're expecting a 13th overall pick to carry the team to greatness you're reaching. If you think he might end up being a solid 2nd liner that can fill in on the top line you're probably in the right ball park.

The kid has exceptional hand-eye coordination, ability to read the play, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I think when the smoke settles he'll be a great player for us.

[Five-hole]

The score flattered the Flames.

Tough last 10 minutes for Sven .. good test for the kid to bounce back from.

Big difference in Berra's first game against the Hawks and this one. He seemed to be so composed. Now he's all over the place, all the time. It takes goalies who've played some pro in Europe some time to learn the game (see Gustavsson finally finding some success). We don't need Berra to play 10 games in a row. Let Ramo have a couple.

Grats had a great game tonight. As did Stajan. Hudler with another 2 points .. deadly.

Cammo and Stemps fighting it tonight. D Jones totally invisible, as usual.

Wideman is playing way too much. He needs less ice to be effective IMO. We need a minute-eating top pairing D sooo, sooo badly. … … Next year.

[Igster]

I fear the days are limited for Backlund and Baertschi. Just have this feeling they will not be with the Flames for any length of time. Baertschi just can't catch a break, but that's the way it goes and Backlund will be gone very soon.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

I think this all depends on what your definition of a "high impact NHL player" is. If you're expecting a 13th overall pick to carry the team to greatness you're reaching. If you think he might end up being a solid 2nd liner that can fill in on the top line you're probably in the right ball park.

The kid has exceptional hand-eye coordination, ability to read the play, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I think when the smoke settles he'll be a great player for us.

hope he is a great player but my expectations are wait and see

he better be a solid 2nd liner or he won't be in the league, he is not the type of player that is gonna have a long career on the 3rd or 4th line

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

I think this all depends on what your definition of a "high impact NHL player" is. If you're expecting a 13th overall pick to carry the team to greatness you're reaching. If you think he might end up being a solid 2nd liner that can fill in on the top line you're probably in the right ball park.

The kid has exceptional hand-eye coordination, ability to read the play, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I think when the smoke settles he'll be a great player for us.

Because he was 13th overall dose not mean he can't carry a team on his back. Iginla was 11th overall his draft year. 30 first round picks.30 people that their team selected first . 30different chances to make it work.

[Itse]

I think people are getting a little carried away by the optics of it. You don't win a lot of hockey games by scoring two goals if you're one of the worst, if not THE worst defensive team in the league. It's just not going to happen.

Yes, it's clear that Berra could have been better in the 3rd. Then again nobody would have blamed him if we had entered the 3rd tied, because there were certainly enough quality shots that he caught in the first two periods.

Yes, he seems to also get nervous in the 3rd. I don't see it as such a big deal, his results are still okay overall, and that's absolutely something that should get better with experience. Pretty much everything about his game looks like it's fixable. Honestly, he looks like he's had some rather ####ty goaltending coaching previously in his career. Doesn't mean it will all get fixed, but when you look at how many problems he has in his game, and the results he is already getting despite those problems, I can absolutely see why the Flames want to give this guy a lot of attention.

That said, it might even do him some good to let Rämö soak up a couple of losses for a change. Don't let him feel like he's the reason their losing these games.

Also, the Blackhawks are not good but damned amazing when they get their game going. Their cycle is crazy, everybody moves so well, there's so much determination and skill, and they end up getting shots from everywhere. They're exactly the kind of team that makes both the defense and the opposing goalie look worse than they are.

On the positive side: I think our teams defensive game was pretty good today overall. It kind of started to collapse in the end, but they had long very good stretches where they were better organized and more relaxed than what has generally been the case this season: A step in the right direction certainly, although it's clear they are losing some offense as a trade-off.

Random comments on individual players:
- Still liking Smid, nice upgrade over O'Brien.
- If Monahan is money, Hudler is what? Gold?
- Damn I would have wanted to see McGrattan get on that breakaway
- Stajan, Bouma are making themselves easy to love right now. Both are playing with a ton of heart.
- It's a small miracle Cammalleri is getting chances at all, the way every opposing team is ganging up on him right now. We could really use some more offensive threats to take the pressure off. On that note...
- It's getting tough to see how David Jones has ever scored a goal in his life. He's losing every race for the puck and his size isn't making much of a difference. Started the season looking much better, maybe it's the injury that's bugging him?
- Oh Baertchi. It would be so nice to say that he's playing so well, but he needs to get better results. A good hussle, but just not getting it done.
- I wish we could get Butler out of the lineup.
- Blair Jones is a nice upgrade over Jackman.
- Mikael Backlund has now had a FO% of 60+ in 4 out of last 5 games

[BruceCody]

Sam Reinhart say "hi guys!"

[Street Pharmacist]

I thought Blair Jones looked quite good with the little ice time he had. I'd like to see more

[vilzeh]

Berra scares me as much as Rämö does. Even more when there's an across the ice pass, Berra is always out of position. Don't know what you see in him, I've never seen any NHL starting potential in him, that being said, neither am I seeing it in Rämö.

Ye, I know they've only played like 10 games, but there are goaltenders who never get that chance, even if it's a rebuilding team.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Couldn't catch this one. Nice to see that Monahan scored. Also I hope Sven doesn't sit because of his mistakes.

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Dammit! You guys actually have me thanking an Ashasx post!

Never fair to blame someone else for your own stupidity...

[bluloc]

As to be expected these kids are going to make mistakes. As for Berra he's still learning as well but imo he"ll be nothing more than an capable back up goalie in the NHL.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Some of you people really need to relax. First year of a rebuild. I repeat, FIRST YEAR OF A REBUILD! Was it a disappointing ending? Yes. Was it expected? No. The Flames were supposed to get shelled in this game. This was the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and the Flames played them pretty square. And it wasn't because the Hawks were sleep walking through the game. The Flames played a good game and made the Hawks earn the win.

The reactions of some are appalling. Sven should be benched! Berra isn't a NHL goaltender! This guy did this. That guy did that. Relax!!! The players you are whining about are rookies! I wish there was this much hand wringing when the vets make similar stupid mistakes, and with much greater frequency.

People need to recognize the situations and see they are learning opportunities. Baertschi probably learned a lot last night. Missing the open net was tough. The icing was tougher. That was a learning opportunity and he will show, over the next few games, that he learns from his mistakes or he doesn't. If he doesn't, he will not amount to the player we hope he will be. If he does its another step toward being a complete player and growing into that NHL player we envision.

On Berra, he's a rookie FFS! He hasn't played 10 games yet and people are already calling him a bust. Get your heads screwed on right. How many goaltenders prove themselves in 10 games? The guy is still learning and feeling his way through some games. He's suffered some unfortunate breaks to take some tough losses, but he is way ahead of where I thought he would be. Seriously, some of you people need to go and see some of the goofy things that have lead to some of the goals against the guy, at very in opportune times. I'm not surprised a young guy like this would panic a little after some of the goofy goals that have found their way in. He, like all the other young guys on the team, is still learning. So relax and enjoy the fact that Berra keeps us in games with his wildly aggressive play. As he learns to pick his spots better, and read the NHL game better, he will become an even better goaltender. And I think that guy, like many of our other young players, will be pretty damn good.

[FBI]

Entertaining game and predictable finish. Still was fun to watch and we aren't making the playoffs anyway so not that bent out of shape that we lost.

Maybe Hartley will give Sven the benefit of the doubt this time and let him learn from his mistakes instead of benching him. We'll see.

[Karl]

Hey Bob...How about trying a combo of Jones, Bouma & Galiardi for a 4th line. Or even Jones (Blair or David), Backlund & Galiardi once Galiardi's back spasms clear up.

Or heck, screw Galiardi and make it Jones-Bouma-Reinhart or Jones-Backlund-Reinhart.

[8sPOT]

And don't forget we lost to the Hawks after leading 5-0 a few seasons ago. And that was when we were 'challenging' for a playoff spot. One could argue that this is progress.