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Calgary, AB • Canada • 29 Years Old • Male

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Posted 1:57 AM ET | Comments 23
Well, despite a stronger effort the Flames lost for the 6th straight time and the 8th time in 9 outings. This was also the 3rd straight loss to the Blackhawks this season and 7th straight, not including the post season. That was the Flames 5th straight loss at home to boot; the last win coming on January 2nd against the Toronto Marlies. To think, this team should have come hard out of the gate, however they only mustered a measly 5 shots on net in the opening frame. The Grinch (Sutter) really knows how to spark his troops up for a crucial home game; a real encouraging sign!

The Flames faced the leagues best tonight, and failed to throw that giant ape of the top of the Saddledome roof. The Flames were shut down offensively again, as they only had 20 shots on net and a single goal; the 4th time in 5 games they failed to score more than 1! Now, give credit to the Hawks, as they do possess the 2nd GAA in the league, but the Flames are out of excuses. They have apparently run into every hot goaltender in the league on this never ending slump.

Oh Captain my Captain! Want to guess the number of shots Jarome Iginla had on net tonight? Go ahead, guess…give up? I will give you a hint; it starts with Z and rhymes with hero (something this guy is supposed to be). He had two shots at the net, yet they were blocked. He did contribute an assist on the lone Calgary marker, but that is not even close to the production Calgary needs from him. He even tried shaving his head, ala Setoguchi, yet proved ineffective.

Glaring Weaknesses

Two categories: face-offs and shots on goal. The Flames rank 30th in face-offs won. That is dead last for those who are counting. That means every time the Flames step in the dot, they are unlikely to come away with the puck. This means that they possess the puck less and have even less control over the game as they are constantly trying to play defence. San Jose, Minnesota, Chicago and Washington are the top four in this category. Not surprising that all of them, save Minny, are top teams in the league. You control the puck, you dictate the flow of the game; it is that simple. In shots on goal, the Flames rank 28th in the league. Once again, set aside the Leafs, and top teams like Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and San Jose rank highest in this category. The more shots you throw at the net, the better chance you have of scoring a goal. It is not rocket science as to why the Flames constantly struggle to find the net. They rarely control the pace of the game and therefore have to wait for their chances, and when those atypical opportunities do come, they seldom convert. Think about how many unreal saves Kiprusoff had to make tonight; I can think of at least 3 or 4. The Hawks goaltender Antti Niemi made saves, but none, and not nearly as many or as nice, as Kipper had to make. #34 is constantly left out to dry by his team, and I am sure its beginning to wear thin.

Cory Sarich might have played his way out of Calgary tonight displaying his sluggish speed on the penalty kill being beat to the puck by a much quicker Jonathan Toews. Sarich was weak at the (to use a Maguire-ism) ‘point of attack’ and Toews quickly passed the puck to Kane, who then opened the scoring. Just another glaring example of the Flames defence being too slow for the game right now. Doesn’t Keith, Seabrook and Campbell sound better then Bouwmeester, Phaneuf and Regehr. Comparable, yes, but everyone knows who they would choose.

At least Flames fans spring season will be less stressful…


This has been,

Newman on the Flames

Read more at: http://calgaryontheflames.blogspot.com/

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Filed Under:   calgary   flames   blackhawks   kiprusoff  
January 22, 2010 10:32 AM ET | Delete
Thought Pardy was brutal too and could pin the second goal entirely on him. Kipper was only reason it was close
January 22, 2010 11:03 AM ET | Delete
Is the record skipping?? played well...lost, played well...lost, played well...lost. Pull the trigger already.
January 22, 2010 11:30 AM ET | Delete
I think we're in trouble. Not only can we not win, we don't have the confidence to think we can win - that is a bad combination. Also, that wasn't Brent Sutter's fault; if you get embarrassed 9-1 and you can't get motivated, for at the very least your first couple of shifts, that's on you, not the coach.
January 22, 2010 11:33 AM ET | Delete
The coach is not the problem. We've been down that road before.
January 22, 2010 11:41 AM ET | Delete
agreeg this is a player issue plain and simple.... three coaches with the same issue means that a few players have to be shipped out. Phanuef and Regehr could get a pretty decent return.
January 22, 2010 11:48 AM ET | Delete
Well the good news is we should end up with a high draft pick this year.... opps, i should say phoenix will...
January 22, 2010 12:13 PM ET | Delete
January 22, 2010 12:17 PM ET | Delete
You guys are in 9th? Good god a guy might have to go to BC to watch a live playoff game this year. WOW. Imagine how bad you guys would be looking if you weren't 5-0 against the NHL worst 30th place Oilers.
January 22, 2010 1:58 PM ET | Delete
Agreed that the players should be up for this game anyways and it shouldnt be the coaches problem, but its just frustrating. There must be something going on inside the locker room that we don't know of. A dissention of some sort? I dont know, but we could see some fireworks pretty soon.
January 22, 2010 3:04 PM ET | Delete
I've heard that Phaneuf, Bouwmeester and Jokinen have all turned on Sutter and it's causing major issues in the dressing room.
January 22, 2010 3:04 PM ET | Delete
I've heard that Phaneuf, Bouwmeester and Jokinen have all turned on Sutter and it's causing major issues in the dressing room.
January 22, 2010 3:04 PM ET | Delete
I've heard that Phaneuf, Bouwmeester and Jokinen have all turned on Sutter and it's causing major issues in the dressing room.
January 22, 2010 3:22 PM ET | Delete
Whats your source? Dont say Eklund
January 22, 2010 3:24 PM ET | Delete
A friend who supplies the players with a promotional product that they all get. I'd rather not say the company name.
January 22, 2010 3:24 PM ET | Delete
How about Phaneuf for Spezza staight up?
January 22, 2010 3:26 PM ET | Delete
In an additional response to Newman doesn't mean it's true and my friend could be blowing a comment out of proportion for all I know. Bouwmeesters name was the one that surprised me the most in the three that he listed.
January 22, 2010 4:21 PM ET | Delete
Spezza doesn't do defense. Sutter would hate him...
January 22, 2010 4:44 PM ET | Delete
Spezza doesn't even do offense without Heatley. I'm done playing coaches and GMs and everyone but the core. Some need to be shipped out.
January 22, 2010 4:44 PM ET | Delete
Er, blaming, not playing. [laughs]
January 23, 2010 12:50 AM ET | Delete
January 23, 2010 12:52 AM ET | Delete
January 23, 2010 12:36 PM ET | Delete
Daryl should fired his brother and take over as coach. He is the only guy who has ever got any success out of theese guys. Also trade Sarich for a forward.
January 24, 2010 1:35 PM ET | Delete
If these guys are completely uncoachable for anyone other than D. Sutter...it's time to ship them out of town, not keep firing coaches.
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