Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Calgary Flames Defeat Canadiens and Remain Undefeated in Regulation

October 10, 2013, 11:15 AM ET [66 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow Colin on Twitter!: @ColinDJD

The Calgary Flames have extended their current league record to 2-0-2 after a win against the Montreal Canadiens at home last night. The team, despite many predictions, has started the year off without a single loss in regulation.

While still early in the season, what the team is showing in terms of hard work and “style of hockey”, if you will, is quite entertaining and surprising to many. Expected to roll over this year and get pummeled by most teams, the Flames have surprised most fans and teams across the league with their play so far in the year.

Furthermore, the play of Joey MacDonald has been a nice surprise given that the coaching staff feels that netminder Karri Ramo is not quite ready at this point for a starting role. As I continue to have discussions with fans via Twitter and throughout the comments threads of these blogs, it is clear that many fans are still upset at the fact that MacDonald is playing over Ramo.

As I’ve expressed, I think where fans are being unfair with their reservations is due to the fact that they feel Ramo isn’t getting the conditioning and development he should be during a rebuilding period for the team.

The fact of the matter is simple – they are not going to play Ramo just because he needs more time to develop if MacDonald is outplaying him. And so far, Joey MacDonald has been playing steady at most times, and great at other times. To this point, he has not had a bad game where Ramo was needed to step in and as a result, has given his team a chance to win all four games played to date.

Sorry fans, don’t expect anything different carrying forward this year as the team maintains that there will be no excuses this season and that the strongest players available to them will play, regardless of their name.

With that being said, it’s only fitting that we discuss Sean “I’m not going down” Monahan.
For anyone who has followed my blogs over the past couple of weeks, you would have noticed that I mentioned a few times that it is all but unlikely that Monahan remains with the big club for more than nine games, given the coaches and GM’s comments about properly developing their youth and not rushing anyone.

Although this is the logical thing to do with rookies who will be a big part of your future, it does not appear to be the case with Sean who looks to be the furthest from out of place among the regulars. Not only is Sean improving game by game, but the parts of his game that needed some refining as per the coaching staff is being focused on during each passing game by the youngster.

You can really tell that any criticism thrown his way is taken as a chance to improve as he readies himself for his next game. It’s quite simple at this rate, the kid does not want to go down and he’s going to make it nearly impossible for the Flames brass to make that decision!

“The big thing for him, he’s learning. He’s going to the net and staying there. The coaches preach to us every day at practice: ‘just get to the front of the net and stop and put in the rebounds.’ He’s poised. Most guys would just slap it and put it in. It’s a good sign.” – Lee Stempniak

“The way he’s playing right now, I don’t see why we’d [send him back],” Hartley said. “We have to put the 20 best players on the ice right now. I feel with my decision that he deserves to be out there and no one has indicated to me otherwise. So, everyone must agree with me.”


Not sure if there’s any other way to slice it…the kid is looking great out there with 3goals and 5pts in 4 games played…not bad for an 18 year old rookie! At 6'2 and roughly 200lbs Monahan has the size to play in the NHL, however he will need to remain consistant with his play if he does in fact stay with the big squad this year.

To discuss the game last night, I have to say I was quite impressed with the work ethic that these guys are showing. As I wrote about in the early days of the preseason, this was coach Bob Hartley’s first full year with the group given that last year had no exhibition period to work on systems with the team. That said, he’s made it clear to the team that anyone who isn’t playing or working at the top of their game won’t be playing – rebuilding or not. While there are still several areas which this team will need to improve upon, it appears that the team is buying into Hartley’s systems and it has shown in the first four games of the year.

The Flames appeared to catch the Canadiens off guard last night with their speed and hard work as they were able to take a 2-0 lead in the first period with two goals from the rookies Monahan and Baertschi. Near the end of the second period, Curtis Glencross would tip a shot thrown on net from the point by Dennis Wideman for his 2nd goal of the year and give the Flames a 3-0 lead on the Habs.

Frustrated with his team’s effort, PK Subban would take it into his own hands by trying to elevate the tempo of his teammates with a big one-timer from the point which MacDonald simply didn’t have a chance on. Although it was a nice goal, and you could clearly see Subban trying his best to get his team going, he was really the only one giving it 110% out there. Roughly half way through the third period, Lars Eller who has been on fire for the Habs would get the team within one goal after being gifted with the puck all alone in front of the net.

After allowing two back to back goals, the Flames started to break down a little and many fans would be on the edges of their seat as it would not be the first time that the team gives up a 2 or 3 goal lead this year. With a minute left in the game and during a Flames power-play, the Canadiens would pull Carey Price for a 5-5 as an attempt to try and tie the game. In spite of an empty net at one end, the Flames could not manage to push the game to 4-2 and would give the Habs a few too many chances to try and tie it up, but ultimately walked away with two points.

Whether it is that the team is simply off to a very good start or teams are not giving them enough credit during games, I think it’s fair to say that the team has gained some respect league wide for their play so far as they continue to play as though they have nothing to lose.

Divided between cheering for their team to continue winning and showing strength or staying near the bottom to ensure a high draft pick, even Flames fans are not sure what to think of their teams play so far.

To note; there were 17 NHL scouts at last night's game...team's will certainly be keeping a close eye on the Flames this year as they try and fill holes in their own rosters.



That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!
Join the Discussion: » 66 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Colin Dambrauskas
» My Final Blog - Calgary Flames 2014-15 Season
» Farewell, Hockeybuzz; Flames vs Ducks, Game 4!
» Playing Little Spoon to Andersen's Big Spoon
» David vs Goliath Series? Flames Still In It...
» Flames Taking Early Beat Down; Should We Count Them Out!?