Pokecheque wrote:
Man, if they don't wake up after THAT, I don't know if they ever will. I expect them to come out swinging tomorrow though. I can't imagine this team will just sit back like they did last night. Avs had better be prepared.
I know it wasn't the result you wanted Jay, but did you have a good time regardless? And the real question: Did you wear one of those wristbands so you could take part in the pregame light show?
Anyway, I loved that game so much I practically didn't sleep. Just a fantastic effort all around. And in his first NHL game, Cale Makar scores his first NHL goal with his first NHL shot, against his hometown team. Could not have scripted it better, and the Flames (especially Backlund) defended it well.
Not often you can say a goalie who gave up six goals in a losing effort played well, but I think Mike Smith did exactly that. The Flames just didn't have it, and the Avs besieged them in their own end, nearly doubling them up on shots. Even the fourth line, featuring a guy who's usually a possession metrics black hole in Gabriel Bourque had insanely lopsided shot counts in the home team's favor.
What I loved most about the win is that the two biggest shit-disturbers on the Flames, Bennett and Tkachuk, essentially got themselves kicked out of the game with respective 10-minute misconducts. They panned over to Papa Keith in the stands and he looked annoyed at his son.
Their attempts to try and rattle the Avs completely backfired and they were the ones who lost their cool. I'm not a huge fan of Tkachuk (though his talent is undeniable) but man I absolutely LOATHE Sam Bennett. Fuck that mustachioed shitbag all the way to hell. He has now injured THREE Avalanche players this season alone. None of the actions taken to injure them were outright dirty, but you'll never convince me there wasn't clear intention for him to do so in all three instances (the incident involving Ian Cole was a fight, so, whatever, but the other two he laid late hits up high on players in the defensive zone who didn't have the puck). I guess when you're a draft bust you have to make yourself useful in other ways. Loved seeing him completely lose his shit on Matt Calvert and nearly hit a ref, earning himself a misconduct on top of a regular penalty.
I certainly hope this continues but the Flames did not win the regular season Western Conference title (they raise banners for that shit now) playing like that. I am concerned Bill Peters will either/or 1) Get his team back on track, and 2) Put in Big Save Dave, who for some weird reason plays his best games against the Avs while also shit-talking the hell out of them.
Big Character test for the Flames tonight who looked terrible. Jonny was pushed off the puck repeatedly and Mike Smith and the D went full on sieve. The biggest problem for me is that the Flames looked disinterested. Even Tckahagchcuk and Bennett.....just doing their job and not doing it very well.
Nathan MacKinnon is just a beast. Possibly the biggest single game controller in the league. He's a monster.
Somehow we scored sweet tickets on the 1st level and brought my old man (Fantasy Hockey winner)......A PRIVATE bathroom and Concierge! F'n awesome......I drank a significant amount of beverages and became irritated with the fans who chanted Flames Fans suck and Mikes Smith sucks. So we left after the 6th goal. Too bad any of you guys aren't around as we seem to be able to score some decent tickets and I'd love to share the experience with you all. All in all it was a great time/experience with the old man who I am sure I don't have much more time with. Good Memories.
I've seen a lot of games over the years in Denver and the fans have changed. That type of crappy behaviour used to happen elsewhere....unfortunately with the transplants and
it seems to have finally landed in Denver. Too bad.
I did wear one of those wrist bands (Marco Polo'd it) and I also cheered the shit out of Cale Makar.
I've seen all this before with the Flames so its hard not to write them off. Put on a good showing and win tonight and they are back in it.....lose and you can stick a fork in them. I am hoping I enjoy the result a little more tonight! But the Flames are going to have to put in work if they want to win.