Calgary Primer

[Ozzie30 170]

We all know the big names on their roster, Iginla, Phaneuf, Regehr, Huselius, Langkow, and, most dangerous of all, Kiprusoff. But I, like a lot of us here, have only watched four calgary games this season and don't really know what to expect from this team.

I thought it would make for good conversation if those who know could share some insight on the flames....maybe a few Calgary fans back from 2004 could give us some insight.

[stevejim73 0]

This is a very different Calgary team from 2004. In terms of skill this is a much more talented team than the 04 version, but has not shown the same grit. When they are on their game, the Flames can beat anyone in the league with their newly found offensive depth and physical defense.

Iginla, Huselius, Langkow and Tanguay have been the offensive leaders on this team and the Flames are actually one of the top offensive teams this year despite their reputation as a team that has trouble scoring. Huselius has turned into an amazing playmaker and makes some dazzling plays. Langkow has been the Flames best 2way forward and should be a Selke candidate. Jeff Freisen and Stephane Yelle are our defensive PK specialists and Keith Primeau and Michigan's David Moss give us a physical presence up front. The Flames are counting on Craig Conroy to provide some veteran leadership, something they seemed to be lacking for much of the season.

Where the Flames have struggled this year is actually team defense. This team is consistently outshot night after night. Our forwards seem to get outplayed physically and our defense is one of the best in the league when on top of their game but has been very inconsistent.

Roman Hamrlik and Dion Phaneuf are the Flames top offensive d-men and make up a physically impossing duo. Both have been very solid on the PP but have been prone to defensive lapses in their own end. Robin Regehr is capable of being one of the best shut down defenders in the league but has struggled somewhat this year without Jordan Leopold. He has, however, played better since the Flames aquired Brad Stuart who also plays a very physical game.

David Hale and Rhett Warrener will likely be our third pairing with Andrei Zyuzin and Mark Giordano filling in when needed.

In goal, Mikka Kiprusoff is still one of the best in the game and is capable of stealing games. He has, however, faced alot of rubber this year and has shown bouts of inconsistency for the first time in his career as a Flame. If the Flames keep the shot totals down he could steal this series if allowed to get on a roll.

Overall, I would say the Flames have a much improved offensive punch but are much more sloppy and inconsistent in their own end and have not lived up to their reputation as physical team that outworks its opponents night after night. They are no longer a team that opponents hate to play against and don't really have physical forwards that scare anyone. They are also prone to stupid penalties. The biggest question I have, as a Flames fan, is can they find and maintain the necessary intensity level needed to win? If they can then look out. If not, it could be an easy series for the Red Wings.

Edited April 9, 2007 by stevejim73

[Jiggy_12 0]

If the Flames can play defense, you guys are in for it.

We've only played solid D for about a quarter of the games this year, and when we do its pretty much lights out for the opposition.

A healthy Regehr will go a long way. Phaneuf and Hamrlik need to cutdown on the bonehead mistakes, and Brad Stuart needs to take less penalties.

Up front, obviously Iginla should be a factor and his play or non-play could determine the series. But watch out for Huselius. If you've only watched a few Flames games this year, you havent really gotten the chance to appreciate what the guy can do. Prepare for your jaw to drop to the floor when he carries the puck around.

I am boldly predicting Kristian Huselius to be our MVP for the playoffs.

[redwashington2000 42]

But watch out for Huselius. If you've only watched a few Flames games this year, you havent really gotten the chance to appreciate what the guy can do. Prepare for your jaw to drop to the floor when he carries the puck around.

Thank's for the info. Our jaws are on the floor for the entire season watching Datsiuk carring the puck around, so I dont think Huselius will show something new for the Wings funs.

[stevejim73 0]

Thank's for the info. Our jaws are on the floor for the entire season watching Datsiuk carring the puck around, so I dont think Huselius will show something new for the Wings funs.

No need to be ignorant about it. Someone asked us Calgary fans for insight about our team and we gave it to you. Everybody knows Datsyuk is a great player. (See...I even know how to spell it right.) He wasn't saying that Huselius is better than Datsyuk, he is just letting you know that he has been one of the best, if not the best, offensive players on the Flames. Those of you who haven't seen him play much may be suprised with his slick puck-handling abilities. No need to start talking trash.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

The fact that Calgary has more firepower and thus plays a more well-rounded game nowadays allows them to match up better with various teams, but I think it actually makes them easier for the Red Wings to play against. They've gotten away from that constant high-pressure forecheck which really frazzled most of Detroit's defensemen. Still going to be a tough series, but I would've picked the '06 Flames to walk all over the '06 Wings, and it's a lot more even this year. Looking for a great series...

[shadow47 1]

Speaking to the guy who said Kipper could steal this series, Detroit is probably the easiest and most likely team to "steal a series" against, since they put so many lousy shots on goal, they will make MK look stellar. Look at the other night against Khabibulin. 58 shots in a 65 minute game? It seemed more like 30-35 to me b/c some of them were so low quality. The past has shown this team has an awful time finishing...they might do better if they didn't waste their chances so--whether they win or lose, it's safe to say they will make the CGY goalie look amazing.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Well i havent watched alot of calgary games this year but ive watched some and what ive realised ... is that they play a very very very good defensive game ... with their monster goalie ... they dont let the puck go in the net ... wich gets into your skin specially when you have iginla and phaneuf doing their thing laying their hits it really gets to you ... honnestly the only flaw i see in their game is probably that they play too much defense ... but then again defense wins championshipz ... but is their defense to much to not score enough goals and produce offensively??? :S anyways i dont know all i want to say good luck calgary fans and thats what ive realised, i could be wrong im not the expert but if i am wrong plz let me know ... thx

do you have any clips of him ???

Edited April 9, 2007 by KrazyGangsta

[Airborn 0]

This is a very different Calgary team from 2004. In terms of skill this is a much more talented team than the 04 version, but has not shown the same grit. When they are on their game, the Flames can beat anyone in the league with their newly found offensive depth and physical defense.

Iginla, Huselius, Langkow and Tanguay have been the offensive leaders on this team and the Flames are actually one of the top offensive teams this year despite their reputation as a team that has trouble scoring. Huselius has turned into an amazing playmaker and makes some dazzling plays. Langkow has been the Flames best 2way forward and should be a Selke candidate. Jeff Freisen and Stephane Yelle are our defensive PK specialists and Keith Primeau and Michigan's David Moss give us a physical presence up front. The Flames are counting on Craig Conroy to provide some veteran leadership, something they seemed to be lacking for much of the season.

Where the Flames have struggled this year is actually team defense. This team is consistently outshot night after night. Our forwards seem to get outplayed physically and our defense is one of the best in the league when on top of their game but has been very inconsistent.

Roman Hamrlik and Dion Phaneuf are the Flames top offensive d-men and make up a physically impossing duo. Both have been very solid on the PP but have been prone to defensive lapses in their own end. Robin Regehr is capable of being one of the best shut down defenders in the league but has struggled somewhat this year without Jordan Leopold. He has, however, played better since the Flames aquired Brad Stuart who also plays a very physical game.

David Hale and Rhett Warrener will likely be our third pairing with Andrei Zyuzin and Mark Giordano filling in when needed.

In goal, Mikka Kiprusoff is still one of the best in the game and is capable of stealing games. He has, however, faced alot of rubber this year and has shown bouts of inconsistency for the first time in his career as a Flame. If the Flames keep the shot totals down he could steal this series if allowed to get on a roll.

Overall, I would say the Flames have a much improved offensive punch but are much more sloppy and inconsistent in their own end and have not lived up to their reputation as physical team that outworks its opponents night after night. They are no longer a team that opponents hate to play against and don't really have physical forwards that scare anyone. They are also prone to stupid penalties. The biggest question I have, as a Flames fan, is can they find and maintain the necessary intensity level needed to win? If they can then look out. If not, it could be an easy series for the Red Wings.

Thanks for the solid brief. Any thoughts on why your team has struggled so much on the road? I have a feeling this is going to be a key question in this series, since we're dealing with the top 2 home teams from the regular season.

[Jiggy_12 0]

At the Flames skills competition this year, Huselius pulled off one of the nicest breakaway goals I've seen. Granted...it was a skills competition, and granted, Mclennan was in net. But check it out, at around the 1:45 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRlPx6izWM

Edited April 9, 2007 by Jiggy_12

[KrazyGangsta 79]

At the Flames skills competition this year, Huselius pulled off one of the nicest breakaway goals I've seen. Granted...it was a skills competition, and granted, Mclennan was in net. check it out, at around the 1:45 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRlPx6izWM

the kids got hands ... anyways it would be kind of hard to pull that off but brakeways do happen in a game

Edited April 9, 2007 by KrazyGangsta

[Viperar 16]

At the Flames skills competition this year, Huselius pulled off one of the nicest breakaway goals I've seen. Granted...it was a skills competition, and granted, Mclennan was in net. But check it out, at around the 1:45 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRlPx6izWM

it makes the flames look human...good video

[stevejim73 0]

Thanks for the solid brief. Any thoughts on why your team has struggled so much on the road? I have a feeling this is going to be a key question in this series, since we're dealing with the top 2 home teams from the regular season.

As I mentioned, this team seems to lack intensity at times and often comes out flat and ends up taking lazy penalties, especially on the road. At home they seem to go hard at teams and play with a bit more urgency. Too often, the Flames find themselves down early and having to play catchup when on the road. They have also blown several 3rd period leads this year, something they rarely did in the past. It just seems that this team rarely shows a solid 60 min effort. Its hard to explain really. I think preparation and focus may be factors. Perhaps the last change, given to the home coach, might also be a factor. I'm not really sure. Its definitely a tough one to figure out. As a Flames fan, I'll tell you, this team can be very frustrating to watch at times.

[BlueMonk 102]

I keep bringing this up, but you can't count on the Flames to play the same kind of hockey in a playoff series that they played in the regular season. Look at Edmonton last year. Did anyone expect the Oilers to start trapping?

I think the Flames will try to play defense, forecheck and hit everything in sight. I think Kiprusoff will be in peak form. In other words, I expect something very similar to what the Wings faced in 2004.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

As a Flames fan, I'll tell you, this team can be very frustrating to watch at times.

Wings fans know this frustration very, very well. Good luck. Looking forward to an exciting series with Y'all.