March 21, 2010 at 2:45 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
The Calgary Flames need to win 9 of their last 10 to make the playoffs.
It confuses why million dollar hockey players can't wake up in time for an afternoon game. Rene Bourque in particular, even though he's been playing soft since his huge contract extension, was exceptionally lazy tonight. Rene Bourque has stopped scoring, stopped passing, stopped battling, and stopped hitting.
Thats just what the Flames need, players taking nights off because they've locked up a fat contract.
Calgary was badly outplayed in the first period and could've gone down 3-0 if it wasn't for some lucky saves by Vesa Tokola who started the game. But he didn't last very long.
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March 19, 2010 at 9:23 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
The good guys came home and beat a team that they may very well face in the first round--assuming they make it. Calgary needs to win 9 of their final 11 to make the playoffs.
The fourth line chimed in for a couple as Calgary stomped on the Sharks. San Jose tried to make a game of it late but Calgary held on for the victory in front of a cheering home crowd.
Calgary opened the scoring when Jarome Iginla netted his 36th (he'll be lucky to hit 80 points this year). The top line after that goal was mostly silent. Iginla fought Ryan Clowe for some reason at the end of the second, but apart from the that the fourth line chipped in the most. Matt Stajan needs to get his crap together if he's going to help this team and prevent me from making his time in Calgary difficult (by blogging).
First period action saw Calgary score twice, Langkow with his 14th (5 million for under 20 goals? ouch.), by capitalizing on SJ turnovers.
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March 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
A goal with 1 minute left with FOUR Flames players standing around doing nothing. The game tonight was the reverse of last night's tussle loss against Vancouver. Tonight Calgary showed up in the first period but shut it down for the other two. They were outworked, outclassed, couldn't capitalise on chances (league's worst powerplay right here folks--probably ten years in a row), and they couldn't care less.
It's lame when the coaches and fans want to slam doors and smash sticks in a show of passion. Nobody on the ice seems to care. The Calgary Flames will eek out a playoff spot only if Nashville loses tons of games. Right now, 77 games into an 82 game season, they couldn't care LESS about playing CONSISTENT hockey.
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March 14, 2010 at 9:54 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
You'd think being one point out of a playoff spot would be enough to motivate the Flames.... But no, they had a lazy start in a crucial divisional game against their rivals. The top line in particular was terrible in the first period going -2. That pretty much sums up the game. Iginla and co. had a slow start (yet again) and went down 3-0 in the first. Sure the Flames dominated the final two periods, but in reality nobody cares if you can dominate play but still lose 3-1.
Detroit tomorrow, let's hope a few more players wake up in time from their afternoon nap to play come puck drop.
March 11, 2010 at 10:34 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
Between the Predators and Red Wings, The Calgary Flames by far have the hardest schedule coming down the stretch run. It's a good thing they're playing some of their better hockey of the year. Coming off a crucial win against the Wings on Tuesday, Calgary sits in eight spot one point behind the Preds and still one point ahead of the Red Wings who move into a tie for 8th.
Every game is crucial and in the last 15 the Flames need to win at least 11 in order to make the playoffs. Will they continue the winning streak? Ottawa got all the sorry calls last time the two teams met. Something about Ottawa diving repeatedly to get calls leaves a bad taste in my mouth (four dives lead to penalties, pathetic).
The game finally got started after 45 minute delay because 12 Flames personnel couldn't figure out how to replace a 400 pound pane of glass. The side glass doesn't break that often but 45 minutes!?
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March 7, 2010 at 3:43 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
If the Calgary Flames have any chance to even make the playoffs then they need the big names to step up. Jarome Iginla would be THE big name that needs to do more for the Flames--namely put the puck in the net.
Last Sunday Iginla was instrumental in putting Canada on top of the world, this Sunday he would contribute in a big way to put the Flames on top. Calgary should play their games all on Sunday if Iginla conitnues the pace he put on this afternoon: 3 goals, 1 assist, and even some rare defensive outbursts.
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March 3, 2010 at 11:00 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
IT was anti-climatic to watch the Calgary Flames run around like a bunch of beer league bums especially after the treat we got from the Olympics. Calgary came back into the final stretch with a home date against Minnesota, a team theoretically behind them in the standings. The team should have been refreshed and full of energy. Instead it was like watching a minor league midget team tire as the game wore on attempting to figure out who their line mates were as they struggled to score.
Many have already said it, Darryl Sutter is an absolute failure as a GM because he's never been able to find a #1 C to play with the team's top threat Jarome Iginla. After a #1 goalie a #1 C is the main piece to your puzzle. Yet, Calgary has NEVER had one. Calgary will NEVER win a Stanley Cup without one. Calgary is probably not going to even make the playoffs with its current rag-tag team of misfits.
For fans, it's all disheartening. Playoffs clearly out of reach with 20 games left. It's also frustrating to watch the team being dismantled top to bottom in the FINAL 2/3 of the season. You know what that means? REBUILDING. Not sure why ownership would tolerate Sutter Rebuilding at this time, but it's clear the towel has been thrown in and the team is worse off today then they were before the Olympic break.
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March 3, 2010 at 2:48 pm - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Transactions
The trade dust has settled and a few more pieces have been added to the convoluted puzzle that is the current Calgary Flames. The forward problem was partially taken care of when Disting Boyd was traded away to the Nashville Predators for a lowly fourth round pick. Calgary is short on picks, and they are also short on NHL caliber players chosen from drafts in the past. With Dion Phaneuf and Dustin Boyd gone, there are no currently Flames on the roster that Sutter successfully drafted. That's not entirely true as we've called up Mikael Backlund so that would be one.
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March 3, 2010 at 11:51 am - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Transactions
Follow FlamesForum on Twitter @flamesstamps for latest details on Flames trades.
Looks like despite holding 25 forwards the Calgary Flames have opted to move and solidify their backup goalie position acquiring Vesa Toskala from the Anaheim Ducks. Details and confirmation to come. Confirmed by Fan960 and TSN.
Still not sure where the money comes from or where all these forwards are going to go!
** Update **
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March 1, 2010 at 11:35 am - By: Barry Flames · Filed under Transactions
News out of the Calgary Flames office today is that after the Bourque signing they like Matt Stajan enough to give him a four-year deal worth 3.5 million. The price is right, let's hope he performs up to expectations (2 million less than Jokinen, and 1.5 mill less than Langkow).
Stajan was pegged to be a UFA at the end of this season but it appears he'll be staying on-board for a few years to come. Nice to see that commitment from someone who would have gotten a lot more in free agency.
More details to come.
