ShamesFan

You guys may not care to hear a Flames fan's perspective, but I think Hasek is just being blunt, not critical. That said, I also think he's wrong. Our special teams haven't exactly dominated the play. I'd say we're generating few if any more chances on our PP then the wings are. Capitalizing is the difference of course. Much like game 2. the 3rd was pretty even until Filppula (great looking young player BTW) gets one chance and whamo- we're sunk. I think your coach got it right. On Calgary radio yesterday he was talking about getting a good start. Something to the effect of 'the team that starts the fastest wins 90% of the time'. In game 1 and 2 the flames came out cold and couldn't recover. The flames took penalty after penalty and never got un-tracked. In game 3 and 4 the wings came out cold and couldn't recover. The wings didn't take as many penalties but again just couldn't get untracked. I think the PP goals are the result of that, not the cause....if that makes sense. Both teams look kinda fraglile in that sense. Though I think Det has responded better than Calgary, the results have been similar.

I was at the game (woohoo!) so haven't seen a tonne of replays, but everyone I've talked to called it a fair hit. A great hit even. At worst it was a bit fo a run and could have been a charge. But I think thats just playoffs. Agreed on the Calder penalty. The refs always make bulls*** calls under the new rules, so that's just a random factor that both teams have to live with. Went Detroit's way in games one and two, and went Calgary's way last night. The Flames were only about 70% last night as well. Iginla was so-so for the first 55 mins, and the Flames still had a lot of mistakes and really sucked in the 2nd period. If Det was playing well we would have been buried right there. I think Det will come out hard tomorrow. It remains to be seen if Calgary can step up. They're capable, but have struggled to deliver all year.

Ahhh. If you say so. Look I'm not trying to dampen the glory of the ass kicking you guys handed us last night. Just find it an interesting story line that some wings fans are awaiting some kind of arnie on skates, while flames fans are thinking he's just a slow, stupid version of dustin penner. It's like it's 2 different guys.

That's the weird part. I doub't you'll find a many flames fans worried about bert physically. Markov, Lilja...even Franzen yes. Bert not so much.I'm sure he'll throw a hit or two. I'm sure he'll have a few more guys bounce off him. But I'd say there's a better chance a guy like Hudler turns in a magical performance than bertuzzi. I'm worried he'll park his ass in front of Kipper and finish off plays that guys like datsyuk start, but that's it. Maybe I've just forgotten, but if you check out Flames boards there might be more people excited that berts coming back than anything else. There's a better than even chance he'll be in the box or floating while an important goal is scored by Calgary.

I appreciate why this wouldn't be taken as an objective view, but I really don't get the Bertuzzi love in. Based on his years in vancouver he's basically Holmstrom with better puck skills, way less tenacity, and a flair for really stupid penalties. He's big, but not tough or intimidating. Just hard to move. Most importantly he almost single-handedly cost his team 2 trips deep into the playoffs with stupid actions. The best you can hope for is he does what Holmstrom does - which is pretty damn effective. At worst he'll cost you your season. He'll probably do neither.

Good lord. Yes I'm sure he was terrified of Dan Cleary. Scrums are always the same. Everyone jaws,pushes, and chirps...and rarely if ever squares off and fights.

Oddly, I think the flames won the second game of every one of their back to backs this year. Close to it anyway. On the flipside, the Flames are horrible in afternoon games. Always have been it seems, and game 2 is a morning game for us no less. If the schedule makers did calgary any favours with the back to back set, it was more than made up for on the afternoon games.

This was a great board in the 04 run, so had to swing by again. Lots of great posts still. If there is a way to flip the switch and start performing, this is without doubt the best team Calgary's had in almost 20 years. They could be scary good. 'Could be' teams don't seem to fare well in the playoffs though. Personally I think the wings wil take this fairly quickly. I think the games will be pretty hard fought but the Flames seem to find ways to lose this year. I also think Iginla and Phaneuf might be too fired up, and end up running around. Should be good games anyway. PS - how do you change your handle on here? Niggy? That's classy.