Tonight, in The Joe, the Flames will the Wings. A rematch, I guess. I must confess that I haven't yet watched a full Flames game this season. First my excuse was I'm out in Toronto where I couldn't find the pre-season games on TV. Now, my excuse is I'm too busy. In reality, I just do not like watching teams that aren't ready for prime time. Historically, October Flames are not ready.
All I know is what I've seen on the scoresheets (tangent: I loathe the new scoresheet -- where's my goalie stats? -- need two sheets for the same information now...). Also, the collective views of the blogosphere.
While the Flames haven't been blown out 7-1 or anything like that, I'm not convinced that they're playing to win so much as they're playing to impress Keenan. A lot of overly fancy plays and simple bungles with the puck cost several games. I'm hopeful that during the few days they've had off, they've gone back to basics (and maybe -- please -- worked on the powerplay), but only time will tell.
I'm still tentative about this team, but the pieces are certainly all there for a contender. I think if there's any coach out there that can break the bad habits Nervous Jimmy gave this team, it's a hardass like Keenan. But it takes time (hopefully not too much).
The Flames need a win against a good team to inspire confidence and get the ball rolling. Tonight might just be the night.
Keeping Things Positive: Flames-Canucks Game Day Preview, Notes, How to
Watch
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Fresh off a 6-5 comeback win over the Arizona Coyotes, the Calgary Flames
take to the ice to face off against the Pacific Division-leading Vancouver
Canu...
1 day ago
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I'm not convinced that they're playing to win so much as they're playing to impress Keenan.
ReplyDeleteMission not accomplished. Their play so far couldn't impress a novice team.
Also, it's the PK they really need to worry in my opinion.
(tangent: I loathe the new scoresheet
ReplyDeletetell me about it... i'm absolutely gutted that there's no more shift chart, which i would spend hours looking over. you could tell SO much about the game by the shift chart.... :(
I'm not convinced that they're playing to win so much as they're playing to impress Keenan. i think playing to win would impress keenan. so i guess somebody's missing the point, here...
To clarify, I meant than rather than playing a simple game as a team they're being overly fancy by themselves.
ReplyDeleteThey're all trying so hard to impress the coach that most of them fall flat on the face because they're not paying attention to the game itself.
Wow MG, you're really on a downward spiral to start the season. I feel for you, because I was the same way last season — but it got me nowhwere except Stressville. That's why I'm waiting till at least Game 10 this year to take a turn off Positive Street.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute... they play hockey in October?
ReplyDeleteI didn't think the season started for another month...
Well, good Flames hockey anyway... ;)
Wow MG, you're really on a downward spiral to start the season.
ReplyDeleteActually the source of my dour attitude towards the Flames is...
a.) They've been a mediocre team since February and really, really bad since the end of March last year and...
b.) They've played like crap each and every time I've seen them so far this year.
And that's not even touching on the Taratukhin/Giordano/Boyd vs. Primeau/Eriksson/Smith stuff I keep harping about.
Basically, besides the play of Phaneuf, there's little to be excited about in Flames town right now.
Don't worry, Im not writing off the season or anything. Don't expect me to appear barefoot and weeping on the top of tall buildings until at least January.
It's because they tore down cowboys here in Calgary. Dion has nowhere to party right now so he's training hard. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHang in there guys, something is going to give.
I thought that was why they opened their own damn bar?
ReplyDelete