Poor defensively play continues to haunt the Calgary Flames. This team was once considered one of the top defensive teams touting one of the best front 6 D-men. That was then, this is now.
The Calgary Flames dropped yet another home game staying in the basement of the Western Conference. The Flames are incapable of playing sound defensive games giving away pucks in bad situations in their own zone and forgetting defensive assignments. Even Vezina trophy winner Kiprusoff is playing average at best.
Despite popular media coverage stating the stellar play of Dion Phanuef, it’s time to come to grips with the fact his defensive abilities have been sorely lacking along with partner Robyn Regehr. Neither are in their top forms, and albeit Phanuef is young, he still logs many minutes usually slotted for someone who can play sound defense reliably. Don’t get me wrong, he is a difference maker, but it’s time to acknowledge it comes with a price of numerous goals against, at least one per game lately.
What do the Flames have to do to improve? Quite frankly two areas. Tanguay, Friesen, Amonte, Huselius need to pick up scoring, and the entire defensive corps needs to elevate their game including Miikka. This team is leaving their bread and butter and will face a long season that will be devoid of the playoffs.
It’s not time to panic, but honestly, give me hard hitting FLames hockey for 60 minutes an I’ll be happy. At least Iginla has been scoring more lately….
