Former Flames Thriving

With the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs entering its second leg tomorrow night, I thought it would be interesting to look at some former Calgary Flames that are thriving in this years big dance.

The obvious one, right off the bat, is Montreal forward Mike Cammalleri. He signed in Montreal for 5 years at $6 million per season, after leading the Flames in goals last season with 39. He has 10 points in seven games this post-season and he is the only player to register a point in the first six games of the Habs-Caps series. He scored 26 goals in only 65 games this regular season for the Habs; 11 goals more than Olli Jokinen did and Cammy did it in 17 less games.

Keep reading Darryl…

Cammalleri gelled with Iginla and better yet, he took pressure off of Iginla to put the puck in the net. How would Calgary be different if #13 still toiled in the red, gold, and black and not the bleu, blanc et rouge. Cammalleri was the scoring punch the Flames lacked this season, and NOW he is has just helped the Canadiens complete one of the most improbably comebacks in playoff history; with a little help from that Slovakian goalie of his.

Moving a little west, we have Brad Stuart and Todd Bertuzzi helping the Detroit Red Wings on yet another spring drive. Bertuzzi left Calgary after only one season of playing for the Flames. Criticized for his defensive deficiencies and injury prone body, Big Bert was sent adrift by Sutter. Now, I was never a big fan of the brute, but he clearly has fit in well in the Motor City. Surprisingly, he was one of only three players on the Wings to play in every game this season; the others being Stuart and Lidstrom. Bertuzzi picked up 5 points in their opening round series (1 goal, 4 assists) and was very effective filling in on different lines this campaign for the injury riddled Wings.

Stuart was traded to Calgary with Wayne Primeau for Andrew Ference and Chuck Kobasew back in 2007. Stuart was lambasted in the Calgary media for not bringing enough to the table and was unceremoniously left adrift by Flames management. He signed a one year contract with his old friend Dean Lombardi in Los Angeles before signing the following year with the Wings. He plays a great support role for the Wings and is not counted on to be the go to guy, but he does do his job quite well. Subsequently, the results have shown in these playoffs as Stuart has 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in seven games, including the nail in the Coyote coffin in dying seconds of the 2nd period of game 7.

Other notable ex-Flames still churning their legs on playoff ice include Roman Hamrlik(Canadiens); Scott Nichol(Sharks); Marc Savard, Steve Begin and Andrew Ference(Bruins); Blair Betts and Brian Boucher(Flyers); Eric Godard and Jordan Leopold(Penguins).

I would also name the various other ex-Flames over the last 25 years that have gone on to have tremendous success outside of Calgary but I do not have all night.

The reason for this tirade is it just seems that recently the Flames franchise have chewed up and spit out a lot of talented players, only to be left with grinders and checkers that can not make a difference in hockey games.

Cammalleri, especially, should serve as a stiff reminder to Flames fans of what could have been. He could have signed here if it weren’t for Jokinen, and that is the truth. He was a proven goal scorer and proved it playing alongside Iginla, yet Sutter decided to test the waters with someone else.

This is yet another justifiable reason as to why Darryl Sutter should be given directions to the unemployment office.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames

Source of Photo: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/images/bizphotos/435x290/200909/25/111407-mike-cammalleri.jpg

Hitmen vs. Americans- WHL Final Preview

Click here to read my preview of the Final series: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Hitmen-vs-Americans-WHL-Final-Preview

Hitmen one game away from returning to final

Read my re-cap here: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d21-Hitmen-inch-closer-to-WHL-Final

Whiteout in Cowtown?

Is it just me or are there a lot of people in Calgary cheering for the Phoenix Coyotes?

Case in point, I was out on Friday night at a bar on 17th avenue grabbing a couple of beverages after the Hitmen game, while catching glimpses of the Yotes Wings game on the screen behind me. And to my amazement, and less than the time it took for me to order a beer an enormous cheer was let out in the bar as if the Flames had just been allowed back into the playoffs on account of good behaviour.

Unfortunately this pipe dream was not the case, but instead it was a goal by Coyote Captain Shane Doan that set the place a blaze. Ok, so maybe I over exaggerated the level of cheer, but it was a definitely loud enough to cause a stir in the bar. A courtesy check to see what was going on in Phoenix was made by numerous beer-filled customers.

There was no ‘Whiteout’ in the bar, but something tells me if the Desert Dogs manage to get by the Wings, this cactus fuelled bandwagon will have a lot more patrons aboard come the second round.

The connection between Calgary and Phoenix has its obvious similarities.

First off, many Calgary citizens jet off down to the desert to escape the sub-zero temperatures of the winter months. Much like easterners flock to places like Florida, westerners often travel into Arizona or Southern California to rid themselves of touching that fluffy white stuff. While down there, many people I know have enjoyed a rousing Coyote hockey game given the ease it takes to acquire tickets along with the Canadian ‘hockey fix’ that is needed bi-weekly.

Secondly, the Flames and the Coyotes have been involved in numerous trades over the last number of years. Not only trades, but Flames players that have become UFA’s and have chosen Phoenix as there docking point; case in point Adrian Aucoin, better known as the ‘Eliminator.’

Phoenix is also the home for Jim Vandemeer, traded for Brandon Prust last summer, and Matthew Lombardi, traded with Brandon Prust at last years trade deadline for Olli Jokinen. Ironically enough Brandon Prust resides in New York now after being traded with the aforementioned Jokinen at this year’s trade deadline.

In 2006, the Flames dealt Steven Reinprecht and disgruntled goaltender Phillip Sauve to Phoenix for Brian Boucher and Mike Leclerc. Boucher is currently backstopping the Flyers while Leclerc is waiting tables at your local Swiss Chalet.

The FAN960, Calgary’s all sports radio network, even gave a trip away to Phoenix including tickets to Games 1 and 2, hotel room, a round of golf and $500 spending cash to one lucky listener. They also broadcast the Coyotes games on air if there is not a Hitmen game going on.

My point is that Flames fans need someone to cheer for in this first hockeyless spring in seven years and Phoenix is simply the feel good story of the year. Coupled with the connection to the city Calgarians feel, it is the perfect match for a ‘sudo home team’ while our own home team figures out what went wrong over the coming months.

I, personally, must admit that I have a small place in my heart for the Yotes and will be cheering them on as they make their improbable run towards Lord Stanley.

Anything is better than having to cheer for the Canucks.

And as for the guy that will respond to this saying that Vancouver is Canadian and we should support the ‘Canadian’ teams, give your head a shake.

A Yankee fan wouldn’t be caught dead cheering for the Sox, nor would a Cowboy fan be caught wearing a Giants or Eagles jersey, so a true Flames fan should definitely not be caught yelling ‘Luuuuuuuu’ when Roberto touches the puck, unless of course it was a situation like tonight where he traded in his mask for a ball cap midway through the game.

Then, and only then, may you scream ‘Luuuuuu’ at the top of your lungs.

This has been,

Newman on the Coyotes/Flames

Hitmen fall in Game 1of East Final

Check out my game review here: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d17-Hitmen-lose-Game-1

Hitmen vs Wheat Kings- Eastern Conference Final Preview

Click here for my series preview: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d15-Hitmen-vs-Wheat-Kings-Eastern-Conference-Final-Preview

The Season in a Nutshell

Well, the season finally comes to an end and the Calgary Flames have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. What is wrong? What needs to be done? What has transpired that led to this? Well to diagnose the problem we must go back to the beginning.

The season opened in early October with a much hyped match-up between the Flames and their arch rival Vancouver Canucks. The Flames jumped out to a 3-0 lead, only to white-knuckle the steering wheel and hold on for a 5-3 win; a sign of things to come maybe?

The Flames open with four straight wins, scoring four or more goals in each game.

October 12th against the Blackhawks; a game that defined the entire disappointing season. The Flames scored five goals in the first 11 minutes of the game to get some revenge on the Hawks for knocking them out of the playoffs a year earlier. However, the Flames proceeded to give up the lead and lose 6-5 on overtime, being out shot 39-20 in the process.

City of Calgary gasps, “Did that really just happen?”

The Flames shove that game into their subconscious and regain their form for the next 10 games going 8-2-1.

Road block: a 7-1 thumping on home ice to, you guessed it, the Chicago Blackhawks. They allowed four power play goals in this game alone.

The Flames bounce back again and go 5-0-1 over the next six games. Kiprusoff has re-discovered his ‘vezina like’ form and has a shutout streak of 159 minutes and 10 seconds, including a November 30th 5-0 victory over the Nashville Predators.

December 1st : the beginning of the end.

The Flames go 6-6-1 in December while only averaging two goals per game. If not for #34, the Flames possibly lose every one of these matches.

2010 arrives and the Flames dive bomb faster than a Denny’s waitress on Eldrick Woods and go through a stretch where they lose 11 of 12 games, including a 9-1 disembodiment at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.

Rock bottom is officially here.

This stretch of futility leads to Darryl Sutter reaching over to his file drawer and finding a file marked: “Use when you are out of ideas.” Sutter proceeds to give away one of the Flames best assets, Dion Phaneuf, for nothing more than spare parts and replaceable players (possibly exclude Ian White as he is a serviceable player).
Sutter is not done there, as less than 24 hours later he strikes a deal with the Rangers to send “That prized center man we’ve always wanted” away, a year after he had botched a trade to get him with the Pheonix Coyotes. Just to refresh your memory at last years trade deadline, the Flames dealt Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a 1st Round pick in this years draft for Olli Jokinen.

Lombardi: 19G, 34 A
Jokinen: 15G, 35A
First Round Pick: Something the Flames desperately need

The trades do nothing to spark the offence and they lose three of four heading into the Olympic break and sit on the edge of the playoff picture.

The Olympics end with Flames Captain Jarome Iginla setting up Sidney Crosby for the Golden goal and the country goes ballistic. Flames fans maybe figure it is a good omen for the team and their optimistic playoff aspirations.

After getting embarrassed at home by the Wild 4-0 (one of four games the Flames were shut out on home ice), the Flames run off four in a row to re-invigorate the city’s hopes of seeing playoff hockey again.

Alas, this was just a mirage and the Flames score only 32 goals in their remaining 15 games, and play some of the most un-inspirational hockey ever seen to lose four straight to close out the season.

So, clearly a common theme has arisen here; problems putting the little black piece of rubber into the 4 x 6. Apparently, this is how teams win hockey games, or so the rules are stated.

The philosophy going into the season was that the defence would be better and the offence would not slow down as a result. Well, the defence was alright but the offence disappeared.

With the trades that were made by Sutter mid-season and the moves he made last season (getting Olli and giving up Cammy), he has left the Flames searching for goal-scoring talent.

Let me show you what I mean:

Langkow
Stajan
Bourque
Kotalik
Hagman
Moss
Glencross
Dawes
Nystrom
Backlund

(I have excluded Iginla as he is the whole legitimate threat on the team.)

Can you find one legitimate top line player there? Bourque is growing into the role. Stajan is far too soft. Langkow has lost a step. Backlund has the potential but the guy has only played 20 NHL games. The rest of the Flames are grinders and checkers or soft forwards who can not have a significant impact on the game and are inter-changeable on any rosters 3rd or 4th line.

Sutter is stuck in 2004. The “New” NHL train came and Darryl was in the bathroom dropping off the kids. The game is about skill and the Flames have none, or simply not enough. This responsibility should be Darryl’s and Darryl’s alone.

The 2004 grace period has officially expired and it is time to move on if the Flames ever plan on digging themselves out of this quagmire of mediocre players and ridiculous mismanagement.

Sutter called the Flames a “Good team” on in his press conference on Monday.

I disagree. The Flames have a great goaltender and a decent defence, but far from a good hockey team. A good hockey team averages more than 2.45 goals per game (29th in league) and 2.32 GPG on home ice (Last in NHL). You can not call a team that does not know how to do the most important thing in hockey, a ‘good’ team. A team that can not score is actually a ‘bad’ team, and that is what the Flames have become.

Sutter also used lame excuses like “The East vs. West”, in saying that if the Flames were in the East they would be in the playoffs. Are you kidding? You actually expect fans to buy that bull$%&#? The Flames are in the West and are not going anywhere and what the East does should not concern the Flames. That insults the fan base if anything else.

Basically, the decision lies with Ownership and whether they decide or not to stay the course with Sutter. If they give him one more year, Flames fans can expect a similar fate next year and will be calling for his head again.

I looked back on the blog I wrote talking about the season that was and it read:

“My guess would be is that another mediocre season results in the same drivel us die hard Flames fans have come to expect come spring time. And unless the Flames crash and burn and miss the playoffs then we are stuck with the Viking Flames for some time to come.”

Well I was right on the first point and hopefully now the Flames owners do the right thing and give this team a chance to breathe. ‘Sutter-style hockey’ is way past its due date and must be thrown out immediately.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames

Tradewinds Shouldn't Blow for Iginla

With the season officially over, most Flames fans and media pundits are looking for answers. Why did the Flames miss the playoffs? In yesterday’s press conference, Darryl Sutter auspiciously blamed the team’s home record, but most people who follow the team will say it was their inability to score goals.

The Calgary Flames finished dead last in the league in goal scoring, managing only 204 tallies in 82 games. To me, this seems to be the problem. The home record Sutter points to is a result of only scoring 204 goals, not the cause to missing the playoffs. With an obviously scoring-challenged group, the team will need to make changes next year if they are to contend again in the Western Conference. Listening to the Fan960’s Overtime show the past few days, which allows fans to vent their frustration and anger, I’ve heard an alarming number of calls for Iginla to be traded. I feel this would be the worst possible move the team could make, and if it happened, the playoffs could be a long, long ways off.

The idea most people have when they suggest trading Iginla, is that he’s on the decline from his most productive years, and now is the time to trade him, while he still holds some value. Perhaps a deal could be worked out where the Flames could secure a couple of early picks in the upcoming draft. Those drafted players, it would be hoped, could later blossom into that same offensive machine that Iginla did after being traded for Joe Nieuwendyk in 1995.

The problem of course is that chances are, it wouldn’t work out. Iginla turned out to be one of the top five players of the past fifteen years, but how many times have highly touted prospects fallen short? By moving Iginla, the team trades away its only real offensive talent, making their goal scoring problem even bigger next year. In a best case scenario, the Flames would secure a high draft pick, who after one or two years, (more likely three or four) turns into a goal scoring machine that the team could build on in the future. In the worst case scenario, the draft picks turn into Rico Fata’s, and the Flames are left with nothing, while their offensive struggles continue. So, if the draft picks did work out, the team would still need to suffer through a couple of seasons where they miss the playoffs and really have no chance of accomplishing anything each year. (Think Edmonton Oilers.)

The other problem with trading Iginla, is the team would lose the face of the franchise; their identity. Jarome Iginla has been the Calgary Flames for the better part of a decade, and is without a doubt the most highly recognized player on the team. Trading your only real marquee player away (Kiprusoff is great, but could never be the face of the franchise), would be like taking out the engine in a boat, and then asking the remaining players to start rowing. This is the same situation the Flames found themselves in after trading away Fleury in 1998. Suddenly, the team didn’t have anybody to rely on or anybody to guide them. The team was a rudderless ship, floating through non-playoff waters for several years. It wasn’t until Iginla began to develop into the player he is today, that the team was able to pull itself out of their seven-year funk, and return to the postseason.

Lastly is Iginla’s relationship with the fans and the people of Calgary. Easily the most beloved Flame since Fleury, and probably more beloved than he ever was, Iginla is as important to the city as he is to the team. There would be a public backlash from an Iginla trade, when people realize that the most famous person in the city, an unofficial ambassador for Calgary who’s involved with the community, has been traded away for a couple of draft picks.

Yes, the team needs some draft picks that aren’t in the 700th round, but there are 20 other players who can be traded that wouldn’t affect the team in anyway. Iginla is the only player, who being traded would have a profound effect on the team, and most likely not a positive one. He shouldn’t be traded away simply because he can be traded away. Much like the Oilers trading Ryan Smyth in 2007, this move could send the Flames into a long, downward spiral that most fans aren’t interested in seeing happen.

Hitmen lose Game 5

The Hitmen took their foot off the gas pedal and lost 5-4 tonight as the Tigers extended the series to a sixth game. Read my game report by clicking here: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d9-Hitmen-take-foot-off-of-gas-pedal-to-lose-Game-5#

One Hand Clapping

A wise man once asked, ‘If a hockey game is held, and nobody is there to see it, does it still matter?’ The better question for the Calgary Flames tonight will be, ‘If a hockey game doesn’t matter, will there be anybody there to see it?’

This will be the situation the Flames find themselves in heading into tonight’s game against their divisional rivals, the Minnesota Wild. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, neither is in the running for a top draft pick, there isn’t really a heated rivalry between the two, and there aren’t any players chasing any kind of significant milestone. (Except of course that Jay-Bo could score his fourth goal of the season.) The game will be Fan Appreciation night for the Dome faithful, which if memory serves means there’s a special on hot dogs, and maybe a dollar off the beer. But really, who cares?

Myself, I’m curious about a few things in tonight's game. First off, what will the crowds be like? I don’t expect the sell out streak to end, but I imagine there will be a lot of empty seats, as the Saddledome suffers from ‘Phoenix Coyote-Syndrome.' (This is where the announced attendance and the actual attendance differ by several thousand.) Second, I want to see what the reaction will be from the fans, to a Flames team that has failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Will there be boos when the players come out, or maybe a smattering of applause like one hears at a Thrashers game? ‘We acknowledge that you’re on the ice, but don’t really care what happens, so we’ll simply clap politely.’

Of course the other big thing to see tonight will be what kind of game the fans are treated to. With neither team playing for anything of importance, other than pride, I imagine most players will be gliding around, avoiding an injury to finish off the season. Maybe both teams still feel the need to put in an honest effort for the benefit of the fans, but I’m not holding my breath. I think legally, tonight’s tickets should be required to carry a disclaimer of ‘May cause drowsiness, do not operate heavy machinery after watching this game.’ Let’s face it; these two teams aren’t very exciting at the best of times.

The last time the Flames played a meaningless game such as this was in 2003. That was the year that Darryl Sutter took over as coach from Greg Gilbert, and although the team played well down the stretch, they were eliminated from playoff contention with only 37 games left in the season. One of their last games that season, on March 31st 2003, was against this same Minnesota Wild team. Maybe ‘this same team’ is a stretch; all the players are different, the coaches are different, the owner is different, management has changed, and the uniforms are different. They still play in Minnesota though.

That night in Minnesota, the Flames took to the ice with nothing to play for, and it showed. Current Flames goaltending coach Jamie McLennan was put in net, giving Roman Turek, who had already recorded over 20 wins that season, a well deserved night off. The Wild were in control of the game from start to finish, and were able to gain a 3-0 victory, giving the Flames their 10th shutout loss of the season. (Yes, that says 10th; and you thought this year’s team was bad.) The Flames’ effort was so bad, that even the opposing goaltender, Manny Fernandez, was critical of their performance. Said Fernandez afterward, “It was a boring game,” referring to the ease in which he was able to record a 26 save shutout. “They didn’t show me they wanted to win at all. They didn’t have shots. I don’t know if the guys are just off their game because they know they’re not making the playoffs.” Ouch!

The Flames finished that season in last place in the NW division, and 17 points behind 8th place Edmonton. Of course they’ve faired a little better this year, but does any of it really matter? They still didn't make the playoffs, and the season has been considered a failure. Does anybody care what happens in this game? Well, I for one do care. I’d like to see some kind of effort from the hometown heroes tonight, not only to make me feel that they came as close as possible to the playoffs, but also to show that they have a little heart, even if there isn’t anybody there to see it.


- TheRev

Let's make it official

After weeks of uncertainty the Calgary Flames are officially eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention. This ends days, weeks and months of faint hope and un-needed stress for most Flames fans who still wanted to believe this team was destined for the big dance.

It was the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 draft, Matt Duchene, who officially eliminated the Flames, when he scored the shootout winner in Vancouver tonight. That’s officially; unofficially it was over when the Flames decided to lose nine straight and Darryl Sutter mashed his hand on the big red panic button sitting next to his telephone.

Flames fans can at least breathe now. It might not be the sigh of relief they wanted to be taking but at least it is over.

No more wondering if the moves that Sutter made were the right ones.

No more wondering if Colorado, Detroit, Los Angeles or Nashville would lose tonight.

It’s over.

There will not be a playoff game played in Calgary for the first time since 2003.

This ends of streak of five seasons in which the Flames made the playoffs every year; a run that ties for third amongst active streaks in the NHL only behind Detroit (19 seasons, soon to be 20) and New Jersey (12 seasons, soon to be 13).

Is this something the Flames should be proud of? Sure, especially coming off of seven long years where playoff hockey in Calgary was something of a distant mirage. The days of the ‘Young Guns’ and Captain Todd Simpson were dreadful years in Cow Town and the last seven years have helped erase those horrible memories.

Unfortunately, the Flames have not been able to do much with those playoff appearances as they have been bounced four straight years in the first round. But, this is nothing different for the Flames franchise. Since 1986, the Calgary Flames have made it passed the first round only four times – 1986, 1988, 1989, and 2004. In three of those years they made the cup final, winning once in 1989.

Basically, what I am trying to get at is that the Flames have never really been clutch in any sense of the word. Only in the miracles runs of 86’ and 04’ and the cup victory in 89’ have the Flames had any real success in the NHL. It is hard to gauge what the real problem would be with all of those first round exits. Bad match-ups, unlucky breaks, choked, not good enough, bad goaltending, etc. The excuses are endless.

Looking at the stats though there is one season that becomes quite comparable; the 91-92 campaign.

Where in years prior the Flames were posting 100 point seasons, they failed to crack the 75 point plateau and missed out on the playoffs entirely; only to bounce back the next year with a 97 point season. This was of course the year of the famous ’10 player deal’ with the Leafs which sent Doug Gilmour to Toronto in exchange for a bag of pucks and three skate sharpeners.

Coincidentally, the Flames made a monumental deal with the Leafs this season that saw a premier player and top prospect go the Leafs for two soft forwards, another third line grinder, and a semi-decent defenceman.

This, much like 91-92 was, could be a turning point in the Flames organization.

It is up to the owners now to realize the problem and get rid of it before the dilemma becomes too dire and the Flames miss the playoffs for the better part of the next decade.

Darryl, it is time to hit the ol’ dusty trail.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames

P.S Calgary’s other team is making a run at the Memorial Cup. I will be with them the whole way this spring. Click here to read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-42438-Calgary-Hitmen-Examiner~y2010m4d6-Hitmen-lose-heartbreaker

Read more: http://calgaryontheflames.blogspot.com/
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Flames fall to Nemesis

According to Dictionary.com a ‘nemesis’ is defined as an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.

Well, the Blackhawks are, by definition, the nemesis of the Calgary Flames.

A team they have not beaten, in the regular season, since the 2007-08 campaign. A team that ousted the Flames in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last year, and a team that the Flames have only been able to score three paltry goals on in the last 11 periods of play. This dates back, of course, to the sixth game of this current season when the Flames jumped out to a 5-0 lead 11 short minutes into the contest, only to lose a heartbreaker 6-5 in overtime.

The Blackhawks are so deep-rooted in the psyche of the Flames players, it’s as if the game today was over before it even started. The Flames even transplanted a third of their team, yet the ‘new look Leafs’ could not get past the mental roadblock that is ‘Chi-Town.’

Even Miikka Kiprusoff, the Flames only saving grace this season, has put up AHL calibre numbers when facing Kane and Co. He has a disgusting .855 SV% with a goals against average hovering around four and a half over the four match-ups. The only problem with Kipper is that he can not physically score goals himself.

An opponent has not been this bamboozled by its foe since Dr. Claw was trying to figure out the best way to catch Inspector Gadget. Gadget had his niece Penny and her dog Brain; the Hawks have Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane. All Dr. Claw ever had was his stupid cat that did nothing but screech and yelp.

The Flames have no 'yelpers,' but they do have a mumbling bafoon for a GM.

With the Avalanche win tonight the Flames are now two points out of a playoff spot with three games remaining. Colorado holds the tie-breaker, so it might as well be three points, and for the second straight season it could be the Chicago Blackhawks who directly or indirectly knock the Flames out of the playoffs.

“I’ll get you next time, Blackhawks, NEXT TIME!!!!!”

Dr. Claw and the Flames: constantly chasing something that is better managed and has more skill.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames