[GDT] Leafs @ Flames 7:00pm MT SNW and Fan 960

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I don’t like pulling Rinaldo out. Scores a goal. Benched next game. Draws in due to injury scores a goal and an assist. Benched next game. What’s the guy gotta do?

I don't think there is much he can do about it. Rinaldo is effective in limited action, and I think the Flames have gotten the most from him they can reasonably expect. I get the desire to reward him for his good play, but it seems like he is playing at a level right now that he possibly cannot sustain. As such, I get the rationale behind pulling him from the lineup, with the understanding that there will be more opportunities for him in the near future.

[fire_starter]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Friendly reminder that they're wearing these beautiful threads tonight:

Hubba hubba

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think there is much he can do about it. Rinaldo is effective in limited action, and I think the Flames have gotten the most from him they can reasonable expect. I get the desire to reward him for his good play, but it seems like he is playing at a level right now that he possibly cannot sustain. As such, I get the rationale behind pulling him from the lineup, with the understanding that there will be more opportunities for him in the near future.

Agreed, he was HUSTLING last game late in the third with the game out of reach. There’s a reason most guys don’t play like that. Part of it is the mental game to keep borderline players hungry, and the other part is the physical game that is unsustainable (a la Ferklund vs Vancouver).

He’s also been rewarded plenty so far this year; for a guy on a PTO who made the AHL team, getting 5 NHL games in so far is much better than it could have been for him. Smith-Pelly had to move to Russia this year to find a job.

Reider has been playing reliably as well recently, and his PK game has been great while letting the other guys rest. It’s not efficient to lean on your top 6 to kill penalties, which makes Reider, Frolik, and Jankowski relatively valuable. Frolik has been heating up alongside Rinaldo, and is a useful tool with mixing the lines. Jankowski is somebody who you could make an argument for, but between the PK and his role at center, I can see the argument for the current decision.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Anyone going to the game tonight, please be loud and try to drown out the 10,000 Leafs fans that will no doubt be there.

Worst game of the year. It turns into a who-can-cheer-the-loudest competition every time.

Act like you've been to a game before, you cretins.

[CaptainYooh]

Wish list for tonight's game:

• Flames: Gana
  
• Rinaldo: Más puntos
• Lucic: Gol

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Worst game of the year. It turns into a who-can-cheer-the-loudest competition every time.

Act like you've been to a game before, you cretins.

Why is a who can cheer the loudest competition a bad thing?

That's pretty much what makes the atmosphere in European soccer great.

[81MC]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why is a who can cheer the loudest competition a bad thing?

That's pretty much what makes the atmosphere in European soccer great.

Probably because it's never Flames fans. It's embarrassing when the visitor crowd makes it feel like an away game.

Raise your voices Flames fans, it's allowed.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why is a who can cheer the loudest competition a bad thing?..

It's not, if it's mutual. Leafs fans at the Saddledome act as if they own the f..n' place - obnoxious, rude, in your face repulsive. Calgary hockey fan culture is fairly subdued and reserved in comparison, which results in perceived imbalance of presence at the home arena and disappointment for a home fan. Any Toronto game I've ever attended was like this. Of course, one can say "shame on the Flames fans" for not standing up to the abuse and not supporting their team on par with the Leafs fans; but again, this is more of a cultural difference. I never felt an urge to act like them at the game.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Wish list for tonight's game:

• Flames: Gana
  
• Rinaldo: Más puntos
• Lucic: Gol

It's ok to admit you just want the gif.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by nik-

It's ok to admit you just want the gif.

[djsFlames]

Rinaldo should be playing. Who knows if we'll need that offense hes bringing?

[red sky]

Reider looks a lot better lately which is good to see. He had that great scoring chance in tight last game which showcased a lot of skill. This was after his take and pass to Frolik. Amazing what confidence can do for a player. And time to allow the Oilers stench to wear off.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why is a who can cheer the loudest competition a bad thing?

That's pretty much what makes the atmosphere in European soccer great.

European soccer crowds are awesome - and fun.

This is simply a case of drunken Leaf fans bleating Go Leafs Go as loud and often as they can, just to prove to others that their social calendars are limited to this one event, and maybe a Rider game or two.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Rinaldo should be playing. Who knows if we'll need that offense hes bringing?

Originally Posted by red sky

Reider looks a lot better lately which is good to see. He had that great scoring chance in tight last game which showcased a lot of skill. This was after his take and pass to Frolik. Amazing what confidence can do for a player. And time to allow the Oilers stench to wear off.

Rieder, Rinaldo, Frolik and Lucic are all playing better of late. And that has elevated the play of the bottom 6 substantially. Now we are at the point where it doesn't seem to matter whose names Ward calls, they all play well.

[CroFlames]

This and the Habs game are the games that allow season ticket holders recoup costs. Hard to blame them when Leaf fan lemmings will pay almost anything to go.

I hope the Flames play great and beat them soundly and the entitled "Leaf Nation" can continue wondering why their darling team isn't 1st in the NHL by 25 points. Hint, idiots: you don't win championships with a few good forwards, one good d-man and nothing else.

[midniteowl]

GO FLAMES GO ))))))

[activeStick]

Will we see another Lucic goal?

Perhaps a first for Jankowski?

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by 81MC

Probably because it's never Flames fans. It's embarrassing when the visitor crowd makes it feel like an away game.

Raise your voices Flames fans, it's allowed.

This is what makes a good start in the game CRUCIAL!

Pump a few past Hutchinson and silence the blue crew. Oh crap, I see that it is Andersen tonight, not so easy...

Hard to blame the Flames fans for being out cheered vs Toronto/Montreal, they are typically outnumbered.

[FireGilbert]

Speaking of GIFs I’m really hoping to see that Friends Monica one in the PGT. GFG!!!

[calgaryfox]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Tkachuk in. Rinaldo out.

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames tonight vs. Toronto:

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Monahan-Backlund-Dube
Lucic-Ryan-Gaudreau
Rieder-Jankowski-Frolik

Giordano-Andersson
Hanifin-Hamonic
Brodie-Stone

Rittich