21 days and only five games. That’s very unusual for an NHL team. The homestand also means the Flames players got to spend three weeks in their own beds with the home distractions…. It also meant that the Flames had PLENTY of time to rest up and spend their pent up energy during games. Unfortunately, the Calgary Flames are suffering from lapses in detail and a lack of energy.
I’m not sure what else can motivate the team to get on board with the system, but national coverage, home ice, fresh legs, all of these things couldn’t get the team going.
Iginla and Jokinen still MIA
The only player you could rely on over 60 minutes was Miikka Kiprusoff who continues to shine early on in the season. Some timely saves late in the first period kept the game tied at zero.
Calgary did manage to sustain some pressure despite being outshot in every period. They scored first off a scramble in front of Osgood; Daymond Langkow tipped in his third of the season and Rene Bourque collected the assist.
After that the Flames gave up bad neutral zone turnovers and bad changes to actually LOSE the lead in less than minute and a half after the first goal. Kiprusoff had no chance on either goals due to a screen in front, both scored in the same way, screen and low shortside.
If you thought a comeback may be in order you thought wrong. Watching the game at the Dome seemed eerily slow, and not just because it was Halloween either. By the third period Sutter had finally had enough of the line combos and switched them all except for the second line who mostly played with pride.
Iginla was tentative and hardly generate a single scoring chance. Jokinen continues to look badly out of place. I still believe that Jokinen and Iginla need to play on the same line because Craig Conroy is not a first line center (or Jarome Iginla isn’t a third line winger), but they both need to figure out how to play hardcore hockey that–well–scores goals.
Until then, Flames fans can expect mounting losses…. but it need not be that way. We have the team, the talent, and two games in hand over most other teams. Time to pick up the play–maybe some time out of their warm beds at home will help—a road trip’s on the way.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Barry. The team seems to be playing like a junior hockey club and if they are anticipating to earn the Cup this year, they better work harder, show more aggression and play more physical i.e. get the Killer instinct in them.
There was no sign of offence…. Shots on goal favored the Wings and this team was more tired, having played the fifth game on the road. With a good home record, a comeback would have suited them better but the pesky Wings thought differently.
It was good to see the Flames’ killed all the penalties, but their power play seems to have slacked a lot. Fortunately, they had more hits than their opponents, but this did not seem to improve the scoreboard. The Flames will definitely have to do better on the road to get ahead. Good luck Flames!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Barry. The team seems to be playing like a junior hockey club and if they are anticipating to earn the Cup this year, they better work harder, show more aggression and play more physical i.e. get the Killer instinct in them.
There was no sign of offence…. Shots on goal favored the Wings and this team was more tired, having played the fifth game on the road. With a good home record, a comeback would have suited them better but the pesky Wings thought differently.
It was good to see the Flames’ killed all the penalties, but their power play seems to have slacked a lot. Fortunately, they had more hits than their opponents, but this did not seem to improve the scoreboard. The Flames will definitely have to do better on the road to get ahead. Good luck Flames!
Well, I think it has finally arrived. Iginla is on the wane. He is still a good hockey player, but not the Superstar we have watched since Theoron Fluery left.
One of the commentators late in the third period said “now is the time we usually see Iginla put on his game face and pull his team up by the bootstraps” not a direct quote. That simply doesn’t happen anymore.
On another note, what is with the Flames being so strong on the forcheck along the boards, but rarely able to set up a goal by accurate and crisp passes? I see other teams, Detroit included, by evidence last night, doing just that. Sure we keep the puck in the offensive end, but most often we score by scrambles around the net rather than creative passing and shooting. Hopefully other players besides Bourke will start to use their heads more than just applying more than tenacious forchecking.
In the end, these are just my personal observations, and I sincerely hope Brent and the rest of our coaches are directing this team towards the high calibre of play this team is capable of.
Like the title of your latest entry.
Note to Brent and Jarome: Why not give John and Henry a call? Maybe they can give you a few tips from their playbook on tenacity and determination and playing hard for a whole game.
I don’t think it is fair to put the entire blame on one player, folks. It was the lack of the entire team effort that was at fault actually. Missed passes, not winning face offs, and not making perfect connections.
In sum, there was miscommunication between players and with the exception of some players who tried to crash to the net, there was no team effort that connected shots from the blue line or made perfect passes. The Red Wings beat the Flames on all accounts…..
I agree with you anar, the whole team, except Bourke, Conroy and of course our 4th line played like a bunch of junior hockey players.
My point is you expect Iginla as Captain and leader to show up. Maybe it’s due to a lack of chemistry with Jokenin but I think it’s more to do with the fact that he just doesn’t have that extra push anymore.
Iggy may make me eat crow down the road, and that would make me very happy, but it’s more than just Iginla. The whole damn team doesn’t seem to show the skill in controlling the puck that their talent should be capable of. Sure they crash and bang in the offensive zone, but they seldom seem to get any really great shots for their efforts.
Like I said, this is just my personal opinion and may not count for much, but I’ve played hockey for many years and this is what I see.
Thank you for your post, Del. I think there is something internally wrong with the team as a whole – save for a few players who put their hearts and soul into the game against the Wings. Players are not that determined anymore – they play just for the sake of playing and this is not the way they should be performing. There was a time when Phaneuf could hit the target from the blue line, but where is the motivation to strive for a win, where is the challenge to combat the opponent??? I can not see it. Teams like the Red Wings, Penguins, Capitals are demonstrating their killer instincts to prove they can play and earn their credentials – so why don’t the rest of the teams show similar inspirations?