[GDT] There is a game tonight, it's at 7pm, it's a home game and it's against the Minnesot-

[Firebot]

Rittich was pulled after one period last night. Smith, despite his warts, is still the starter for the team. He may not have been great but he's been winning. Rittich hasn't.

CHI DEC 2 1 0 0 2 24 22 .917 0 59:55 1 1 0
LAK NOV 30 1 0 0 1 14 13 .929 0 60:00 1 1 0
ARI NOV 25 1 0 0 1 29 28 .966 0 59:53 1 1 0

[Jethro Choicebro]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/brot...ms/c-302664278

A nice article on the goalies.

Smith on talking to Rittich after the last game:

"I've been around and seen everything," Smith said. "I've been in the minors, a pro, a starter and a backup. I've been through a lot of different situations. I think it's important to stay as even keel as possible, and I just mentioned that to him quickly. Don't hang your head. It happened. It's over.

"It's about finding that balance so you're not too high when things are going well, and not too down when something like that happens.

"It's going to happen. You can't beat yourself up when things are going poorly. It's easier said than done, obviously, but I'm here to encourage him and help him along as his career grows.

also..

"You need two goalies - two good goalies - in order to win," Smith said, adding there's no blue-paint "controversy" to speak of.

"It's important both guys are feeling good."

[mile]

Originally Posted by crapshoot

Czarnik must be wondering what more he has to do to stay in the lineup. I understand the reasoning behind putting Lomberg in, but I'd rather see Czarnik getting another shot.

Boomer speculated on twitter that Czarnik might have a sore shoulder.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Hmmm! Flames have scored 5 goals twice in the first period. Once in the second and once in the third so I say this goes into the shootout and Flames win in round 9 with their 5th goal of the shootout!

TJ pops the bottle with the winner!

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Jethro Choicebro

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/brot...ms/c-302664278

A nice article on the goalies.

Smith on talking to Rittich after the last game:



also..

I'm glad Smith has started to turn it around, mostly because I think he is a good veteran influence for Rittich (and generally a great teammate by all accounts). I still think best case scenario next year is for Rittich to assume the number 1 (or at least 1A), but that's not going to happen without both guys contributing this year...

[MWM2002]

Mike Smith 52nd out of 55 for save percentage and 50th out of 55 for GAA. I think he was lower about a week back but the Columbus game did not help him along his stat line

[Erick Estrada]

Personally I don't believe either of these goaltenders is good enough and we are going to see them go back and forth all season like this as when one stinks you go with the other guy and cross your fingers. If they make the playoffs I would expect both goaltenders to play as neither is consistent enough to maintain a high level over over a 7 game series. For whatever reason Rittich simply plays worse the more he plays which leads me to believe his ceiling is of a backup goaltender and Smith is an aging veteran that's going to have good games and bad games.

[keenan87]

I am hoping for a win. Doesn't matter what the score is, just win and move on to the weekend games.

[heep223]

Score 9 goals every game and don’t worry about the goalies.

[dammage79]

I'm going to make a bold..BOLD prediction and say James Neal scores two tonight.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm going to make a bold..BOLD prediction and say James Neal scores two tonight.

That's Bullseye BBBQ Bold sir!

I hope your right

[SebC]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm going to make a bold..BOLD prediction and say James Neal scores two tonight.

Your poor lungs!

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm going to make a bold..BOLD prediction and say James Neal scores two tonight.

Double down.

James Neal and Sam Bennett.

[Gaskal]

Which will win between dammage79's smoking voodoo vs Neal Goal Prediction Curse, I wonder..

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Which will win between dammage79's smoking voodoo vs Neal Goal Prediction Curse, I wonder..

All out of darts. Sooooo, Nealers gotta pot some goals. Or I may break some stuff.