Gme No. 48: Professional courtesy
Ryan Lambert
January 22 2011 05:57PM
I suppose it's too much to ask for this to be a forfeit, eh?
If the Canucks were really smart, they'd roll a fairly weak defensive group and give some kid from UBC a start tonight.
Let the Flames, fresh off a 7-4 win over Dallas, hang around long enough to entertain thoughts that they can compete in the West after all. Hell, maybe even kick 'em a loser point. Maybe they start trying to trade FOR players for the stretch run with the dim hope of making the playoffs shimmering, tantalizing, on the horizon. Let them believe, and in doing so, continue to make themselves a Western Conference nonfactor for years to come.
Instead: full complement of players, Luongo in net. Bad news for a Calgary team that just played in an 11-goal gong show then traveled to B.C. for a game with what's probably the best team in the league. And, oh yeah, starts Kiprusoff.
But at least Brent's back to playing mind games with the forwards, though the cavalcade of suspects in The Case of the Deserved Healthy Scratch has dwindled in recent days. Wouldn't be shocking to see this renewed mystery surrounding his line-setting starts taking its toll against the team's psyche again. When no one's sure why they're sitting, no one plays mistake-free hockey, which is what's needed in the West, and especially against teams like the Vancouver freakin' Canucks.
Honestly, you can pretty well expect this one to get ugly on the double. No matter how well Calgary has played as a group in recent games — and the answer, apart from that dreadful Minnesota game, is a disappointing "really fairly well," in fact — they're in no way equipped to handle the Canucks, and haven't been all year. Getting outscored 10-3 in two games is sufficient evidence of that, I should think.
Realistically, what could you want tonight? Hope no one gets hurt, hope the score doesn't get outta hand. Anything more than that and you're probably asking too much.
It woulda been nice if the Canucks could've helped us out though, and at least given the Flames a chance.
So...5 goal win?
First chance, first goal. Again.
Looks like AV is playing the Malholtra line against Iginla tonight. No respect I say, no respect!
Wow, great start. One shot one goal. Don't think Kiprusoff could see a thing though.
Well, that turned on a dime.
Canucks looked confused in their own end.
Ummm, who are those guys out there tonite? And how'd that taste, Bieksa?
Not a bad period, considering. Got some bounces for sure.
Chances were 6-4 in favor of the Canucks.
We are the ugliest team I have seen in ages in our own end.
Seriously pathetic.
Kipper + Canucks = early goals in the period.
@Kent Wilson
I think poor hockey against elite teams leads to goals against.
Not sure what games we're watching, but I wouldn't be focusing on goaltending at this point.
I guess Bouwmeester is doing a bang up job?
@Rain Dogs
Im not impressed on either end of things.
Well, Flames seemed to settle things down a bit in their own end half way through that one. Of course, the Canucks also titled the ice, so the chances still ended up 8-4 for them.
Corsi
Flames first line getting donkey punched.
JACKMAN!
wow are the flames pathetic in their own end. brutal
Is there not a rule that a team can turn down the power-play. The Flames have more scoring chances on the PK for F sakes! How is Dave Lowry a great PP coach, what did he score in his NHL career? 60-80 goals maybe? BRUTAL!
sarich = fail
comon j bow
Bouwmeester = Fail.
dam it were gonna get at least a loser point
Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes are pathetic.
pull kipper,go 5 on 3
damnit jokinen...
how can the flames be that bad on the pp do they ever practice it
Word.
Oliie Doink.
If they pull the puck out of his pads, and both of his pads are deep in the neck, how the f--- could O'Halloran think it wasn't in.
Put THAT one in the win column.
Wow, what a way to end it. Who wants to bet that one or both of Luongo and Vigneault cries in the media about how that shouldn't have been a goal?
back to back wins,king will be planning the parade route.damn the rebuild ,were one piece away from the cup finals.
Hi Canucks Trolls! Welcome to Flames Nation!! (crickets)
@coptin_
Staios is coming back, his locker-room qualities will lead us to victory!
Yeah no reason to whine on that one, puck was pulled out of his pad, both pads were in the net, SUCK IT Luongo.
Don't know what to think anymore. We aren't going anywhere, but it's always nice to see them pull off some wins.
Glad that Kipper played well.
Hope this doesn't infuse management with false hope.
Double word.