Home Sweet Home

I was able to attened the game last night, this was a great experience.  First I would like to congratulate the fans, the display last night was great.  Everytime i go to a playoff game I am amazed by how responsive the fans are.  I would definitly encourage anyone to go to the game it is definitly worth the money you will pay!

As far as the game goes, it is amazing how a team can be so different at home.  The Flames played quite well, some of the biggest differences were that they were physical, the were able to cycle the puck along the boards and it looked as though they had some passion injected into their game.  I thought Roman Hammerlik was one of the better players last night, definitly an improvement over the first two games.  Also Iginla played much better.  While Im giving out props to all these guys i would commend Warrener and Phanuef who both were temporarily knocked out of the game to get some stitches, but both returned to play some good inspired hockey. 

Although we praise the flames for a better effort last night, they will need to be better on Thursday.  There are definitly areas to improve but I sense a bout of confidence was gained last night, and I feel if the flames can bring a solid effort tommorow night, they will recieve a huge boost going back to detroit. 

Game 1 – yes the playoffs began, Somebody tell the Flames

Yes Calgary the playoffs started last night.  However since you forgot and played like it was just another game in January you are now down 1-0.  However if you decide you want to play during these playoffs, you can still catch up and win this series.  Although as seen last night the Wings will not fold there tent and hand you the win. 

Last night was not a good game from the flames very few scoring chances, little energy, numerous turnovers, and penalty trouble.  Yes it was an ugly game and if this continues no matter how good kipper plays Calgary will not go far in this series and everything will be over quite soon.  However a popular cliche in the playoffs is a series is 7 games, just like a game is 60 mins, a win on Sunday morning will go along and well Calgary will be right back in this series.  Kipper played a very solid game, and was well to say the leasat hung out to dry by his teamates

The Keys to Sundays game:

1. Wake up, maybe have a couple extra cups of starbucks its an early one 11am mst or 1pm in detroit.  Thanks NBC, but really hockey is supposed to be played in the evenings!!

2. Come out with Energy, get momentum and take control of the game.  Yes this will involve hard work even though it will feel like a morning skate it is not.

3. Get to the net, they have to do a better job of getting to the front of the net, look for tips and rebounds dont make it easy for hasek.

4. Solid Defence, minimize scoring chances, keep Kippers net clear and let him see shots.

If Calgary Does these things along with staying out of the box they have a chance to win.  Believe it or not doing these things are not complicated, they are just the simple keys to playoff hockey.

P.S  0 shots on goal for Iginla your star player doesnt cut it in the playoffs, you have to shoot to score!!

Flames vs Wings

Well for the third time in three seasons, Detroit will play a team from Alberta in the first or second round of the playoffs.  in ‘04 Detroit lost to Calgary in a thrilling 6 game series which was capped by a Gelinas OT winner at home in game 6.  And last year losing to Edmonton in the first round as well. This year will definitly be an interesting series, both teams are very capable of advancing in the playoffs.

Calgary vs Detroit

Key Players

Detroit: Zetterberg- is he really fully healed from his back injury and how will not playing in a game in a month.  If he can come back he will need to be a vital part of this Red Wing team.  Lidstrom- Will he be able to shut down Jarome, he will need to nuetralize him for the wings to have a chance.  Also look for him to be the key to Detroits PP as their quarteback from the point  Hasek- he will need to be the dominant playoff goalie he was back in his prime, yes he is long in the tooth, but if he can put everything behind him he could win this series himself.  Although with a weak groin, and very iffy mentaly he could also fall apart.

Calgary: Iginla- can Iginla be the leader he was in 2004 when he single handily won game 7 in Vancouver.  Iginla who is a consistent big game preformer will most likely not be stopped, however if detroit wants to win they must nuetralize his presence.  Regehr- if regehr can come back healthy his defensive and physical presence could prove to be tough for the wings.  Kiprusoff- Kipper like hasek could be the series changer.  If kipper is on top of his game he will be a vital part of any Calgary win.

Overview- The flames and wings split their season series this year each winning both of their home games.  The latest being a 2-1 flames win in Calgary.  If Calgary can limit turnovers and play a physical forchecking game along the boards, they definitly have a chance to win this series.  However if they fall into the lull of mistake and turnover ridden hockey that they have been known to play this year it will likely be a quick series.  For Detroit to take this they need to force the Flames into playing this lacsidasical style of game, and finish them fast.  I feel the longer this series goes and the more physical it gets, will benift the flames.

All in all I guess i have to make a prediction (damn i hate this part, its so hard not to pick with your heart).  All that being said I will take the Flames in 6 or 7, the reason is they have a solid veteran presence and should have everyone back in the line up, and Lets face it this team was built for the playoffs.  And I will also say they have the best goalie in this series.  This being said anything could happen but in Playoff Spirit, Go Flames Go

Playoffs are here!!!!!

Well, it wasn’t the most covential wat but the flames are playoff bound.  They will matchup against Detroit in round 1.  Hope you all had a great Easter long weekend, I did and took in Saturdays game, which was average but hopefully I will se better next week in the playoffs!!!   This week I will focus on a few round 1 match ups at different times.  I will preview Calgary/Detroit in great depth tommorow, until then

Go Flames Go

Anthem Singer from tonights game you sucked!!

Jordan Cook sang the National Anthem tonight at the Flames game.  He was frickin terrible.  Probably one of the worst anthems I have ever heard, especially the American version.  To all fellow Americans I appologize.  Cook if you ever get the chance to sing an anthem at a big event ever again dont bring out your guitar, and leave the suck at home.  Just sing the anthem how it should be sung.

Look for a you tube video of this as soon as i find one:

Here is a video from you tube of this dreadful performance

Re-Group

Well tonights game was not the barn burner playoff clinching win most Flames fans were hoping for.  However I guess the bright side is we still have 3 games left and control our own Destiny.  If the team can re-group they will be fine down the stretch.  Looks more and more like another match against Detroit Lurking.  All in all the world doesnt end and look for a better effort down the road.  Also not to the NHL, please do the world a favor and do not give Mic McGeough any playoff games.

Magic number still 2 points for Calgary to gain/Colorado lose

Memo to Mic McGeough:

Mic the game is not all about you.  And in case you are too dense to figure it out many people Dislike your reffing style.  The game is played on the ice and we dont watch the games to see your little side show.  How is it that no other referees or linesman feel the need to put on a show everytime they step on the ice.  So Please do us all a favor and take notes.  Try to figure out how to call a consistent hockey game without trying to be a side show, it would help you to gain respect of a lot more players and fans.

P.S maybe take it easy on the doughnuts

Peyton Manning SNL

Here is a hilarious peyton manning clip from Saturday night Live, enjoy!

Also another Peyton tidbit you may not have caught, well the bears fan who said he would change his name to Peyton Manning if the colts won the Superbowl, well yeah they won and he recently submitted the paper work following through with his end of the deal but his request was not approved.  I guess they only want one Peyton Manning for now!!

Nice Win!!!

Last night the Flames beat the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver 3-2.  For those who may have missed it the flames held onto a 3-0 lead beating the canucks 3-0.  The Flames got goals fro Huselius, Conroy, and Langkow.  Langkow, the first star in the game scored the opening goal and set up the Conroy marker a shorthanded goal.

The flames played very well for the first two periods, but struggled to find the same rythym in the third.  However despite battling through some penalty trouble, they survived in good old Flames fashion.  I have to say I was very disappointed by the reffing, i thought both the lombardi trip and Tanguay penalty were extremely weak calls, which cannot be tolerated at this point in the season.  Leave a comment if you want a more detailed explanation regarding the comment about the penalties.

However I have to say I have been impressed with the way the team has responded in the last two weeks and are now looking like the team we expected to see all year.  I am really looking forward to the playoffs and going to a game again on Saturday, its been a whole month since ive last been to a game.  Anyways in fasion

GO FLAMES GO

Majic number is 2 points, a win tues night in Ot or reg would secure a playoff spot and Calgary can get that all coveted x- beside their name

Flames Central, Opening Soon!!!!!

Flames Central opens this weekend!!  For those who don’t know Flames Central is Calgary’s newest sports bar.  This bar will be obviously focused around the flames and other sporting events.  The bar owned and run by the Flames hockey club is a state of the art facility and can be considered one of a kind in North America.  It will hold 1 100 people and undoubtly will be busy in the coming weeks and the playoffs. 

The Grand opening for the public will be this Saturday April 7 2007.   The bar is located on Stephen Avenue (8th)  in the old Palace theatre. I highly suggest getting there early for this game, like hours early.  Also attached to the bar will be a 240 seat restraunt which will be a first class buisness restraunt obviously catering to the downtown office population.

I would definitly recommend anybody check out this sports bar, it will be unreal and a first in North America.  Plus it is just one more place to cheer on the Calgary Flames!!!!!!!!