So that’s what a physical presence can do for a hockey club. Last night’s victory against the Avalanche was in large part due to the early scrap between Vandermeer and Laperriere. For a complete break down of the fight, click here.
There is no question that the Flames are one of the toughest teams in the NHL - providing they play that physical style of hockey. Normally I’m the guy who preaches finesse over fisticuffs…style over knuckle sandwiches…heck I even take fighting off completely when I play NHL 08 (best hockey game ever btw). But it would appear that the Flames depend upon that physical style to bring that energy and tempo to the game.
Do the Flames have to play a nasty style of hockey to get ahead? If so, how do we stay out of a man or 2 man disadvantage to accomplish that?
The Flames powerplay received a much needed boost after going 29 games without scoring more than 1 powerplay goal at home….uuggh. Special teams has been a very important component in the NHL but as we get ready for the proverbial second season of this NHL campaign, the Flames need to ensure that their powerplay and penalty-kill are much improved.
So the question remains, can the Flames retain their physical edge without impairing their special teams play?
The NHL crime and punishment division is a joke. The recent ’slap on the wrist’ to Chris Pronger illustrates why the NHL is far behind other professional sports organization for managing player behavior and following its own clearly defined rules. Well obviously there are no clearly defined rules. We see it on the ice when officials put away the whistle during the last few minutes of the game - we are not sure what is going to get called and what will not. Clearly this approach is adopted by the NHL’s high court when dealing with suspensions for its star athletes. Chris Pronger is a 7 time offender. He committed the same foul that Chris Simon did - I wasn’t aware that boot stomping was the in thing with the NHL crowd these days - but receives a considerably lesser punishment. I suppose one could argue that Simon’s reputation preceded him however, if a 7 time offender is considered to be of lesser significance or of better character then I think there is a serious attitude problem in the NHL. Even the whole ‘there is inconclusive evidence’ shenanigans on behalf of the NHL’s lost and found video department reeks of incompetence. So 4 sets of eyes on the ice, plus the war room in T.O. misses what a camera crew in the rink picked up? Let’s not forget our goal that won us the Cup in 04′…….. Go Flames.
With 15 games remaining in the season, the Calgary Flames look poised to make another run for Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail. The question is, which team will show up? Last night’s victory against the St. Louis Blues was certainly a memorable one: Iggy’s career goal #365 brings him to the top of the all-time goal scoring chart for the Flames, Lombardi ended his lengthy scoring drought and last but not least, Huselius finally found the back of the net after 20+ games. While any victory is important at this time of the year, we should not get too complacent and suggest that the Flames are “back on their winning ways” or “looks like we are back on track” and other forms of self-congratulatory praises just yet. Last night’s victory illustrated what many Flames fans have long known - we should be putting more pucks in the net.
Its no secret that the Flames need all of their goal-scoring forwards to show up for the playoffs so perhaps having 2 key players end their scoring drought at this point is a certainly a good omen. The Flames need to carry this intensity to each and every single game and maintain a consistent effort across the board. While having more victories than losses at this time of the year will certainly help the Flames make it into the post season, it is the way in which these wins are accomplished will signify which hockey club will show up and exactly how far we can go into the playoffs.