Flames Loose Third in a Row
As the rest of the NW division starts to get hot, the Calgary Flames are as cold as the recent Calgary cold snap. The team can’t even beat struggling teams like Minnesota or tonight against St Louis. If the team played at 50% against Colorado and Minnesota, they played at 75% tonight, losing basic battles and struggling to pay attention to assignments.
THe players aren’t responding anymore, changes are probably needed. Mind you, it’s only a three game losing streak, but the routine inconsistencies that have happened for a while a sign that this team is missing something…..but what?
But what? The Flames seem to have no offensive punch or threat. Opposing teams seem to have a book on all the Flames moves. Defensively, they have talent that costs an incredible amount, but in reality the defense has been in trouble since Game 1.
Does Iginla have the leadership to change things? Are the coaches getting through to players? Is Phaneuf going to actually win a down low battle? Where did Bouwmeester disappear too? Why isn’t Jokinen a threat? Why is Nystrom a first line LW? All these questions and more have to be answered if the Flames are going to emerge as a legitimate division contender, let alone Stanley Cup contender.
At least Kipper got a rest. Everyone else didn’t really show up — again. Four shots in the third period? What’s going on with this team? Make some changes and let’s see SOMETHING positive.
Or maybe I’m just a cranky fan and the Flames ‘almost’ pulled it out.
No Barry, your not a cranky fan. You tell it as you see it and your right on the money. It is depressing to think but probably true the players just aren’t responding anymore to Sutter. I’m at a loss.
Where the hell is the commitment from these over paid hockey players? They make more money in one season than most of us will see in a lifetime and can’t even put forth enough effort to earn it…
It’s sad, this is NOT an ELITE team, it only has an ELITE goalie. Put Phaneuff up on a forward line and use him on the point during power plays only. He is not truly a defenseman.
Other than that I agree with Flaming Moe, I’m also at a loss.
I hear you guys, I was really impressed when the game was tied at 3 and for a moment it seemed that the Flames will pull it through with a win last night…but the score was so depressing. I had counted so much on the team but for some reason no one seems to have the offensive threat anymore. Opponents have the ability to stop our offensive players but our defense cannot follow suit. We have goal scorers who have been the key for the Flames team, yet they never seem to pose any threat. Look at other teams in the NHL, even though they don’t win all the games, they show some spark in their play. Why not the Flames? Year after year since the Flames lost the Stanley Cup to Tampa Bay, their performance has been falling to pieces and nothing seems to matter. Whether we change the coach or get additional players…..no one seems to perform to their standards.
In all honesty, I fear that there was something internal bothering the team, but what is that something, I would really like to know.
I was looking forward to 2010 when the Flames would bring Lord Stanley to Calgary….but is this just a dream or an aspiration to urge the Calgary Flames Hockey Club?
Why not put a hard working and hard skaing forward on the first like with Iginla… maybe Rene Bourque?
they tried it for one game when BOurque came back. i think it would be worth trying since the first line is DEAD>