Terrible: Calgary 0 – Oilers 4

Welcome back Flames Forum fans to another fantastic (we hope) season! The wait is finally over, and the anticipation has been killing all hockey fans around the globe. Today the puck dropped literally across the world with Carolina v. Minnesota in Finland to start things off. But forget about those two no name teams, let’s talk Flames, Oilers, Battle of Alberta part 1 of 8.

Unfortunately for Flames fans they crapped the bed in a big way. This evening’s battle was ALL Edmonton in every way. No hyperbole can describe how bad the Flames played. In all facets of the game they were utterly pathetic. Even the goon Ivanans got knocked the F out by McinTyre (another fantastic Darryl Sutter move to pick up a fighter who can’t fight (McGrattan is worse how?) and who’s locked down for two years…..and can’t skate). Yes Flames fans, if tonight is any indication, it’s going to be a long year.


You would think in the very leastcoasted through the game.

Calgary seemed to have some edge in the first period; even Oilers goalie Khabibulin looked very shaky. But the Flames couldn’t press and the Buhlin-Wall found his game, and the young stars for Edmonton put on a show getting the team and crowd into the game.

It tough hockey to watch. Edmonton crapped their pants for two years and got some nice youth, some energy, some moves up front. Calgary has a pantload of defencemen.

A ton of Flames fans don’t really know what to think about this year. Most are rolling their eyes with the ‘moves’ the GM did over the summer. Nothing was blown up and the same faces were still in camp. Only notable surprises on opening night were Steve Staios and Cory Sarich sitting in favour of Adam Pardy and TJ Brodie (take the 66 off dude). Brodie has a lot of learning and gave up the tide shifting second goal.

The other factor was the extent of injuries that totally changed the complexion of the opening roster. When it came time to bring the A game the Flames looked alike an old uninterested team incapable of mounting offensive pressure.

The worse part is there are few changes that can be made. If Brendan Morrison is your second line center, and not by choice, you know things aren’t looking good.

Tonight, last year’s Flames showed up, a little bit slower, a little bit older, a little less tough, and relying on their goalie for 40 minutes to stay in the game. Not a good start, not a good start at all.

Notes: Conroy was a late scratch in favour of Sutter who was supposed to go to the farm after being put on waivers….6 million is the value of sitting Staios and Sarich, both of which could’ve been used tonite instead of the Brodie experiment.