[News] WCQF: Your Calgary Flames (P1) vs Colorado Avalanche (WC2) — AVALANCHE WIN SERIES 4-1

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Did anyone else struggle to sleep last night with severe anxiety in anticipation of tonight's game 3? It's going to be a long work day.

[CroFlames]

Does anyone else think that diving call on Johnny is quite possibly the worst call in this playoffs? Like laughably bad.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Does anyone else think that diving call on Johnny is quite possibly the worst call in this playoffs? Like laughably bad.

I can't figure out the physics of how he could have dived.

[habernac]

two minutes for not being 6'1", 210lbs.

[GeoRock]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Did anyone else struggle to sleep last night with severe anxiety in anticipation of tonight's game 3? It's going to be a long work day.

Dude, it's not even 9am and I'm dying.

[puckedoff]

Yeah I think Valimaki comes in too. Need to be able to match Mackinnon's speed.

[Toonage]

I've liked Fantenberg's game. Steady, poised and physical when needed. But I also get the need to get faster. I also see those same qualities in Valimaki. Considering Fantenberg was originally brought in for depth, this could easily be a swap they make tonight.

The tougher call may be to remove Neal's veteran experience in favor of youthful exuberance. Neal's line will be targeted tonight otherwise. Should be interesting.

When is the morning skate?

[Textcritic]

Any word on what time they skate today?

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Does anyone else think that diving call on Johnny is quite possibly the worst call in this playoffs? Like laughably bad.

I thought it was bad but the way Johnny didn't argue it much made me think there was probably something the ref saw that I didn't.

[crapshoot]

Alright, next game I would like to see David Rittich, Oliver Kylington, Juuso Valimaki and Austin Czarnik in the lineup. Shake some stuff up. Do something else. Peters have been willing to mix it up all season. Would hare for him to get old school stale in the playoffs.

[Press Level]

So, it turns out that the sun did, in fact, rise this morning and the Flames are still in the play-offs. Go figure.

[TheIronMaiden]

For what ever reason I am still really confident that the Flames will win this series. Last night had loss written all over it from the start. I see the series getting more calm and the Flames taking over games like they did earlier in the year.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

For what ever reason I am still really confident that the Flames will win this series. Last night had loss written all over it from the start. I see the series getting more calm and the Flames taking over games like they did earlier in the year.

I hope you're right. But after watching them wilt under pressure like they've done over the last 2 games, I'm not quite as confident. I think scoring first in game 4 is a must. As Peters said in his post-game comments last night, it's tough to get any momentum going when you're constantly chasing the game and allowing the opposition to dictate the play. If the Avs score first, I could easily see things snowballing like they did last night.

Bottom line: Flames need to come out of the gate strong and have a really good 1st period on Thursday. If they skate hard, play smart, and get the early lead, I think we'll be ok.

[Toonage]

FYI - Flames were scheduled to be on the ice at 1:00 today but apparently they may forgo that for video session, reflection and /or drinking *

* made that up, but the rest is accurate

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by direwolf

I hope you're right. But after watching them wilt under pressure like they've done over the last 2 games, I'm not quite as confident. I think scoring first in game 4 is a must. As Peters said in his post-game comments last night, it's tough to get any momentum going when you're constantly chasing the game and allowing the opposition to dictate the play. If the Avs score first, I could easily see things snowballing like they did last night.

Bottom line: Flames need to come out of the gate strong and have a really good 1st period on Thursday. If they skate hard, play smart, and get the early lead, I think we'll be ok.

Last night was a disaster, but did the Flames actually "wilt under pressure" in Game #2? I rather think that once the pressure was on—that is, when Colorado tied the game late in the third period—the Flames responded well. They almost scored in the last minute, and they controlled the OT period.

But I do agree with your last point. They need an early lead—it was the consecutive penalties in the first period that caused them to unravel. Up to that point the Flames played with pace, controlled the puck, drew a penalty and hit a goalpost on the powerplay.

[bax]

I'm quite surprised the Flames didn't really make any strategy adjustments after game 2.

My best guess is Peter's figured the Flames had an off night in game 2 and still almost took a W. After last night it has to be clear that some adjustments are made. Higher forwards in the O zone, tighter back pressure, more north south passing, and trap the neutral zone to neuter some of that Colorado speed. You'd have to think adjustments are coming after getting embarrassed like that. The Flames haven't given up chances like that since they lost to Pit 9-1. Team has to rally around this loss just like they did at the start of the season. They clearly became rattled in the first period and never recovered- even without the strategy adjustments they had some very uncharacteristic mistakes.

I bet game 4 is a much better game and a tight battle, but I have no idea who wins. Tough to have confidence as a Flames fan right now. I'll say whoever wins game 4 wins the series.

[AC]

Originally Posted by bax

I'm quite surprised the Flames didn't really make any strategy adjustments after game 2.

Based on the timeout and how Peters was acting towards the team, I'm guessing there were significant changes the team just didn't bother to follow. He looked like he was saying something akin to "Well. What did you think would happen when you play this way?"

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by AC

Based on the timeout and how Peters was acting towards the team, I'm guessing there were significant changes the team just didn't bother to follow. He looked like he was saying something akin to "Well. What did you think would happen when you play this way?"

And then they got worse. Yeesh.

[TurdFerguson]

Avs are looking like a dangerous team right now. They have a lot of confidence and are playing relentless and fast hockey. Calgary is looking the exact opposite. Amazing how things change in the playoffs. Seeing the same thing in Tampa - 1 team elevated there game and the other has yet to.

when thinking about roster tweaks, i really don't know what Peters can do. Arguably the most impactful players have been they guys you'd usually see rotate in/out. Maybe Valmaki on the back-end but who do you realistically take out in the forward group?

[Vinny01]

That game last night was shocking after they let game 2 slip away. I almost would have expected that result if the Flames would have won game 2 but all the comments about the Flames needing to be the desperate team and pushing the pace in game 3 gave me hope they would have a better effort last night.

Good thing about the playoffs is momentum can easily swing game to game and if the Flames get the split we are still in good shape to win the series. We are the better team they just need to remember that and play with more confidence and urgency.