Uninterested Flames Lose Again
Curtis McElhinney finally got his chance to start. After 14 games the Flames back-up netminder started his second career NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Too bad for him, a LAZY Calgary Flames emerged on the road. Despite an early powerplay Calgary couldn’t get their feet moving. Rene Bourque started the misery by giving the puck away in his own zone. A GIFT to Jason Chimera who scored on the Blue Jackets second shot. To add to the misery on the next shift the fourth line caused problems–for the Flames, as Prust went off for holding.
First period woes in the first half from a Flames team that didn’t show up to battle. Lackluster effort translated to three straight penalties for CB. Credit to the Flames penalty killers for a flawless showing. No credit to the Flames powerplay which looked scary (for the Calgary D).
Calgary started the second on the PP, but big deal with a flat Flames offense. Even though the Flames looked slloowww Jarome Iginla wired his ninth of the season on the PP. Not to be outdone Calgary was again caught flatfooted after Dion Phaneuf refused the pass, got caught up ice, and bang, another semi break and Columbus scores retaking the lead.
From puck drop to final whistle Calgary was literally coasting along uninterested with putting in a solid effort, two hands on the stick, crash and bang, race to pucks, etc., etc. They had no business to be in the game and should have been blown out if it wasn’t for McElhinney. Although he was unable to save two unanswered goals after Iginla’s.
With a minute left the Flames thought they’d start punching players out, which would be fine, if they had actually used that energy to score some goals rather than acting like goons.
Still in the air is why a third – forth line center in Conroy is still playing with Iginla. The top player for the Flames needs to get going 5v5 but can’t because 3rd liners play with him. Can we expect some kind of line changes that have some impact after this junky loss? They don’t have to wait long as the Flames play tomorrow.
Your right, the Flames are playing too loose, too many games. It makes me disgusted to see so much talent just floating along.
Really appreciate your game notes, but one thing I would like to ask;
Since we are probably going to see the word so many times this year in regards to the Flames, please note the correct spelling for a loss is : lose not loose
thanks
That’s just a typo from typing too much. :P