The Calgary Flames concluded a lengthy Eastern road-trip with yet another loss. Another loss to keep this team in the basement of the West. This afternoon was perhaps their stiffest test and they failed miserably. The Flames looked like a minor league team against the powerful Penguins, and if it wasn’t for the heroics of Kiprusoff the score would have been 3-4 more.
That’s not to say that all is loss. Calgary was victimized by some bad luck throughout the trip, and when you consider their overall play the team has certainly improved. Of course, that means little if you are still stuck losing game. But 3 wins next week and Calgary will be back in the hunt.
All is not lost yet, albeit the thread is getting thin and fans could really use something to cheer about these days.
The positives were obvious as Rene keeps rolling and Mikka had made magnificient saves, but notwithstanding the respectable shots on goal, the overall performance of the team had been dismal. The question remains: why would players succumb to taking penatlies at critical moments particularly when they are down 3-1. Why can the Calgary Flames not capitalize when they had a two men advantage with the net being empty and the Pens being shorthanded.
These and other questions bother die hard fans who are fully supportive of their team:
– the team’s game plan is the least impressive….Wouldn’t it be better to score first and protect the lead than to be down by two and then try to even the score at the last and critical minute?
– the fact remains that the Flames seem to be having difficulty on all accounts in terms of maintaining a lead or trying to catch up. Why can they not outperform their opponents? Why do they have to remain a mediocre team despite the exceptional players they have?
– More importantly, discipline seems to be a key factor that the team lacks…. why can the Flames not change their style to match those of elite teams?
Subsequently, the question remains whether this team will ever become an elite team that their die hard fans are hoping for?.