If you follow the Flames, I probably don’t need to tell you that Dion Phaneuf’s numbers have been disappointing this season.

In 41 games, Dion has put up 3 goals, 23 assists, 26 points, and a -8 +/-. Let’s extrapolate that over 82 games so that we can compare it against the first three seasons of his career.

A good thing to note here are that Phaneuf doesn’t miss many games. So far he’s missed a grand total of three regular season games over three and a half NHL seasons. Pretty impressive for a guy who plays as physical as Dion. We also see a positive trend in terms of the assist and point totals; however, the goals and plus-minus totals show a shocking drop-off through the first half of this season.

At his current pace, Phaneuf’s goal total would be a third of his previous worst total. Worse than that, though, is a +/- that is 21 goals worse than his career-worst. And this is on a team that is currently winning their division and performing as one of the better teams in the NHL.

I’ve spent some time trying to explain the reason for these numbers. It was late Friday evening when I fired up NHL 09 on the Xbox and realized what Dion’s affliction is: it’s the “EA Curse” (known to football fans as the “Madden Curse“).

Who else has been afflicted by the NHL version of the curse?

Owen Nolan (NHL ‘01) - Nolan’s went from playing 78 games in 1999/2000 to only 57 games in 2000/01. He also saw his goals-assists-points totals drop from 44-40-84 to 24-25-49.

Mario Lemieux (NHL ‘02) - After his comeback to the Penguins in 2000/01 that saw him score 76 points in only 43 games, Lemieux was hampered by injury through much of the 2001/02 season, only playing 24 games (although he did tally an additional 31 points in that time). Maybe leading Canada to an Olympic gold medal could overshadow the curse here, but it was the beginning of a decline that saw Lemieux only score 36 goals in the parts of the coming three seasons that he participated in before retiring for good.

Jarome Iginla (NHL ‘03) - Phaneuf’s teammate was coming off of a 52 goal season in 20001/02 where he was a Hart Trophy finalist and an integral part of Canada’s Olympic gold medal win. Expectations were high, and Iginla’s numbers dropped off: 35 goals and 32 assists in 75 games, 29 points fewer than the previous season. It took a few seasons, but by 2006/07 Iginla found his way back into the 90+ point range and has kept on that pace ever since.

Dany Heatley (NHL ‘04) - 41 goals and 48 assists in 2002/03 had expectations high for Heatley in 03/04 until the car crash that took the life of teammate Dan Snyder. After recovering from the injuries he sustained, Heatley managed to play in 31 games, scoring 13 goals. He never played for the Thrashers again after that, heading to Ottawa for a change of scenery.

Markus Naslund (NHL ‘05) - Averaging 93 points in he prior three seasons, Naslund played only 13 games in 2004/05, all with Swedish club MODO, during the NHL’s lockout season.

Who wasn’t hit by it?
Vincent Lecavalier (NHL ‘06), Alexander Ovechkin (NHL ‘07), and Eric Staal (NHL ‘08) - No curse for these guys, unless you call Ovechkin’s drop from 106 points to 92 points a huge slide. His +2 to -19 slide is worth noting.

As the Flames continue to win night in and night out, we can hope that Phaneuf overcomes the effects of the EA Curse to better help the team to continue that roll.

Thoughts on the Sharks vs. Flames…

Probably the most disciplined, energetic, close to perfect period I have ever seen from the modern day Calgary Flames (Post Lockout)… They jumped on the Sharks, were hungrier and stole the puck in the neutral zone a half dozen times.

I don’t get excited when Bertuzzi carries the puck into a zone but give it to him behind the net and good things happen… the first Daymond Langkow goal looked like it was scored in slow motion… as Don Cherry would say, “Kids, keep your stick ON the ice and good things will happen!”

Funny scene was 4 Maple Leafs fans in full Maple Leaf wardrobe sitting a row behind us…

This Sharks team doesn’t get discouraged easily and a lot has to do with their new Head Coach… Todd McLellan is the Anti-Wilson and will not call out a player publicly and you can see the team enjoys him as a coach…

Kept on hoping for a repeat of the Corey Sarich hit on Patrick Marleau but instead got 2 rounds of Alexei Semenov vs Andre Roy and although the first one was a quick tussle that ended in a 2 minute roughing call for each, the second tilt in which Roy landed a nice left to knock back Semenov, that was also 2 minutes each for roughing… Roy won the fight but the Sharks LOVE their 4 on 4 hockey…

Kipper stops ‘em when they need him to…

Mike Grier took a nasty tumble after scoring his goal, head first falling back into the boards… ouch!

Dion Phaneuf is clearly fighting some mental battles and Darryl Sutter mentioned a point that he’s now playing against the best of the opposing team game in and game out, which he wasn’t doing in his first 2-3 years… and also that he’s now paired with a guy like Adam Pardy where before he’d have a guy like Bryan Marchment or Roman Hamrlik to guide and protect him.

Who’s gonna sit when Vandermeer returns? Or should they keep things status quo? My bet is that Pardy and Giordano will take turns sitting.

Who would you rather have now? Husselius, Nolan, Tanguay, Nilson and Yelle OR Bertuzzi, Cammalleri, Glencross, Bourque and Roy??? AWESOME pick-ups for Darryl Sutter…

Michael Backlund (Swe) was in attendance tonight, wonder if he was irked when they showed highlights of Team Canada at the World Juniors (by the way, the Flames have 9 players that have played in that tournament… Iginla, Aucoin, Langkow, Cammalleri, Boyd, Phaneuf, Regehr, Nystrom [USA] and Kipper [FIN])… Backlund is headed for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL but is eligible to play in Quad City and also Calgary if the chance ever materializes… as confirmed by Darryl Sutter today.

Notable stats: Jarome Iginla had NO POINTS; Corey Sarich and Mark Giordano were each +3 and Dion Phaneuf a whopping 26+ minutes on the ice…

David Moss is impressive with his speed and quick shot, but comes with the odd lapse in judgment…

Adam Pardy is making the most of his opportunities, although Darryl Sutter wasn’t impressed with him in the Chicago game (pointed to 2 goals that were a result of bad play by Pardy)

Had a great guy and his wife sitting next to me from Red Deer, Alta. Just cherrished every minute he was at the Dome…

Flames Alumni night as they honoured Lanny McDonald and it was funny when the crowd stood to it’s feet for Lanny, he just lay back in his club seat and waved indifferently… maybe his heart is still with the Maple Leafs? Nah, he won the Cup with Calgary! Good to see him at the Dome!

Thoughts for the remainder of the homestand… Will the Flames lower their intensity against the Islanders? It’s happened too often where Calgary will play down to the opponents level… (see losses vs. the Stars, Jackets, Coyotes…etc.) Same question when the Blues come to town… The last time I saw St. Louis play at the Dome, Jason LaBarbera was their goalie and Jarome Iginla got the shootout winner!

Iginla Shootout Winner March 12, 2007 vs St. Louis  (I took this bad quality video myself…)

Always a pleasure!

500pts couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!

But what is it that Connie brings to the Rink game in and game out? A friend of mine we’ll call MKB is zealous about the Flames. A season ticket holder for some time now, he was here when the Flames acquired Conroy from the Blues (with a draft pick that ended up being David Moss) for Corey Stillman. For every game I attended and sat next to MKB, I would hear stories of the players they meet and who signs autographs while leaving the players parking lot and who doesn’t… stuff like that. MKB developed a closer relationship with Craig Conroy, why? Because Conroy appreciates every fan that comes to the rink to support the team. MKB met a family at the Saddledome and the families’ daughter was the biggest Craig Conroy fan so they took her after the game to meet him and he didn’t disappoint. Not only, did they get a poster and stick signed, but they also got pictures and spent a good 20mins talking with him (MKB was entertaining the Conroy kids and even gave each of them a pink Flames touque!).

Craig Conroy brings passion, energy and a ‘lead by example’ mentality that is contagious. Reporters and fans alike LOVE him for his quotes and interactions but coaches like Keenan (coached Conroy in St. Louis), Sutter, Quenville and even Jaques Demers know exactly what they’re going to get. A guy who brings it to every game and doesn’t make excuses when things slump or look grim. Someone who delights in the success of his teammates over his own and someone who can thrive under hard nose coaches like Quenville, Sutter and Keenan.

Was it a coincidence that Iginla scores 96pts (A Rocket Richard Trophy winning 52 goals) in his first full season with Conroy (who had a career high 75pts)?

500pts may not get Conroy a ticket to attend the HOF induction ceremony but when it’s all said and done, Craig Conroy will never be declined for a free dinner at Flames Central and while he’s there, he will never decline a person who wants to sit and talk shop or thank him for playing is heart out for the city of Calgary. I’m sure he won’t forget the fans like MKB who have a deep love for athletes that offer nothing but their best to the team, the city and the fans!

Congratulations on point #500, Craig Conroy!

Always a pleasure!

Thoughts from my FIRST Battle of Alberta at the ‘Dome!

Before I could even get comfortable in my seat, the Oilers score and their fans make sure to turn to every Flame fan and let them know they scored.

The Flames kept their composure coming back from every 1-goal lead the Oilers took.

The difference between the Oilers and Flames? The Flames seem to EARN every goal they scored last night.

I found out why Zack Stortini has the name “Huggy Bear” (the good ‘ol Clutch and Grab)

Wasn’t impreseed with Craig McTavish sending out Stortini for the last minute of the game… Thankfully the Flames ignored his calls for a fight… what a BUFFOON! (Both McTavish and Stortini)

Flame fans were there for the challenge! (For every “let’s go Oilers” chant, they would immediately respond with “Oilers Suck!”

I had the honour of seeing my first Oiler fan vs. Flame fan fight (although the Flame fan seemed to be the instigator, the Oiler fan was ejected… hehe)

I always have room for a Mike Cammalleri one-knee, one-timer… love those!

The Saddledome Scoreboard crew need to update their sports information because they still have the Oklahoma NBA team listed as the “Sonics”

Thankfully, Dwayne Roloson does not play for the Flames… PAGING Tommy Salo! PAGING Tommy Salo! (Salo’s still 37 yrs old, why not give him another chance?!)

 Best Video of the night: Oiler fan with a mullet is discouraged in Edm with a ball and chain and stops at the “City of Champions” sign and drinks, then tries to cut off the ball in Chain in Red Deer and finally, gets to the ‘Dome and has Harvey cut his hair, change his clothes and the final scene is a newly rejuvinated Flame Fan entering the ‘Dome with 2 Calgary Ice Girls!

Mike Keenan chews through ice like a Coffee Grinder…

Do the Flames need a 3rd Jersey?

Never get tired of hearing Johnny Cash at the end of the game! (Ring of Fire? Timeless!)

What’s one area the Flames need to upgrade? Backup Goalie… Still not convinced McElhinney can do what Joseph did in last years playoff… come in to hold the fort.

Was VERY impressed with Dustin Boyd’s goal… flashes of his World Junior HC days…

Still kind of nervous seeing Pardy paired up with Phaneuf… can’t wait ’til Vandermeer gets back!

Who leads the Flames in HITS? Curtis Glencross (who’s second? Rene Bourque!)

Eric Nystrom can play for me anyday… a player who knows his limited role and excels in it!

Quick thoughts on the Oilers… Craig McTavish is probably gone at the end of the season… Sheldon Souray is overrated and the core group of Horcoff, Moreau, Cole, Souray, Visnovsky, Pisnani, Staios and Garon are all 30yrs or older… Will Hemsky be around when he becomes an RFA or UFA?  Gagner is fast but he’s struggling this season…

Thoughts moving forward… The Preds start a 5 game homestand against Vancouver and Calgary is next on Jan. 3… I don’t see the Preds in the Playoffs this year and they’re having a very ‘average’ season… Wouldn’t be surprised to see Curtis McElhinney get the start to see if he can get his 1st win!

The Flames play a back-to-back with their 2nd game against a rested Blackhawk team who remind me of the 2006 edition of the Edmonton Oilers (slightly overachieving and very FAST!).  They will have a stinging after a GREAT outdoor classic game against the Wings and will be rested to play the Flames at the United Centre.

The Flames finally come back home but take no comfort in taking on the San Jose Sharks.  Nabakov is playing about 5 games less so far this year compared to last year and is always a headache for Flame fans… no Torrey Mitchell and no Jeremy Roenick as of this blog and I’ll have the honour of being in attendance again for this game and hopefully Conroy will have point no. 500 by that time and we’ll be on a 6 game win streak gunning for no. 7!

Always a pleasure!