Not to be a downer but....

Ramo played great against Washington....then struggled the next night.
Berra hasn't played great in the A this year.

He's a big kid with upside but I think you'll see a lot of ups and down with him this year....similar to Ramo.
- stormey

I agree that there will be ups and downs, but I disagree that Ramo has ever been great this year. He has yet to play a complete game where he looks comfortable and calm in the net.

Berra has only played the one game, and it would be absolute folly to think that this is the standard that he'll play to night in and night out, but his style is one that causes me much less stress than what I feel watching Ramo.

Lets not expect too much out of Smokey the Berra until he proves to be consistent!
Go Flames Go!
- Lucky23

This. Sounds like he played well but Bachman also came up for the Oil and made 40+ saves and stole his first game. I'll reserve judgment on Berra for a few more.

Edit: and im completely surprised that Mac cleared. GM's are sure gun-shy these days.

love how other teams fans are experts on the Flames goal tending situation...Ramo played great when he gave up 5 to washington now?

mmmkay

I agree that there will be ups and downs, but I disagree that Ramo has ever been great this year. He has yet to play a complete game where he looks comfortable and calm in the net.

Berra has only played the one game, and it would be absolute folly to think that this is the standard that he'll play to night in and night out, but his style is one that causes me much less stress than what I feel watching Ramo.
- jtommyt

Ill second that...I was much more comfortable watching Berra play, he's just more positionally sound I suppose. Ramo has more experience, however.

love how other teams fans are experts on the Flames goal tending situation...Ramo played great when he gave up 5 to washington now?

mmmkay
- flashfire

He was referring to the 5-2 home win vs. Washington. But Ramo really didn't have to be steller in that game.

Ill second that...I was much more comfortable watching Berra play, he's just more positionally sound I suppose. Ramo has more experience, however.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I think we're at 4-1 for you....

(frank)ing injuries!

Lets not expect too much out of Smokey the Berra until he proves to be consistent!
Go Flames Go!
- Lucky23

IMO Yogi is a better nickname.

IMO Yogi is a better nickname.
- Drakaland

I like Berracuda....

He could even have his own theme song then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4nWy8pmIM4

love how other teams fans are experts on the Flames goal tending situation...Ramo played great when he gave up 5 to washington now?

mmmkay
- flashfire

FWIW, in pregame interviews, Pat Kane said he knew Berra was a gamer and would be tough from the time he played with him on the Swiss league team he was on during the strike last year.

FWIW, in pregame interviews, Pat Kane said he knew Berra was a gamer and would be tough from the time he played with him on the Swiss league team he was on during the strike last year.
- Return of the Roar

Cool thanks for the background, I watch on NHL Center Live and they always seen to cut off interviews and what not so always cool to get some narrative.

FWIW, in pregame interviews, Pat Kane said he knew Berra was a gamer and would be tough from the time he played with him on the Swiss league team he was on during the strike last year.
- Return of the Roar

I think thats why Hartley has ALWAYS mentioned Berra in his media scrums when talking goalies. He's somewhat familiar with the ole Swiss Elite League and a certain Flames netminder...

I like Berracuda....

He could even have his own theme song then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4nWy8pmIM4
- jtommyt

For once in a long time I am excited to watch this team every game

I hope Berra can show consistency, he definitely looks like he has the foundation/technical aspect pretty set

Just wanted to say... Helluva game by your net minder..

Lets not expect too much out of Smokey the Berra until he proves to be consistent!
Go Flames Go!
- Lucky23

haha yea...after all
just read this about the Heat last week:

"After an uneasy start from Reto Berra who allowed three goals on just nine shots, freshly called up Joni Ortio held his own in a relief appearance. Down 3-1 at the first intermission, Mark Cundari, Chad Billins and Markus Granlund helped their squad come back from the deficit."

Just wanted to say... Helluva game by your net minder..
- z1990z

Thanks man! Hope we can keep er going, and with any luck build ourselves into something respectable.

When it comes to Backlund, it's a tough case. For years he was pushed to develop his defensive game to go with his natural offensive side of the game. Now that he has done that he is called out for net thinking offensive enough.

At the same time Colbourne is doing the offensive side.

Then when he gets back into a game he is matched with Bouma and McGratton. These guys being the energy and agitation, and they do it well. But wingers like those , and the 9 minutes a game the play aren't going to do Backlund any favors on the offensive side of the game.

There was the pre-season plan of trying Backlund on the wing, and Galiardi at Center. I also think that Galiardi may be more suited to that energy / physical / agitation type role with Bouma and Mcgratton.

Further to that Backlund does bring his developed defensive abilities at the center position. This can be of most benefit if you were to put him on the wing with Monahan and Baertschi. I know Hudler has had great Chemistty there, but he will also be great on a line with Coulborne and Cammalleri.

Backlund has shown chemistry with Baertschi in the past, and he can help this line defensively. It is said that the part of Monahan's game that he most needs to work on is the defensive side of things. So while he is developing that let Backlund take on the defensive responsibilities of the centerman on this line, while offensively that task would fall to Monahan. It is essentially a line with two centers, which can be of great benefit on faceoffs (especially depending on what zone they are in) and will not be a liability in the defensive end.

From there you get the defensive aspect to Backlund's game that he has worked hard to develop, while he will also be on a line with offensively gifted players that will allow him to bring that side of the game that he has now been asked to bring more of.

Thanks man! Hope we can keep er going, and with any luck build ourselves into something respectable.
- vowswithin

Out of curiosity....what are people's thought about how our team is looking over the long term?
At this rate, it looks like we're winning games from hard work, good coaching and a good system. But can this really project us into the next level?
or are we winning just enough to scrape by with a peak of squeeking into the playoffs but most likely middling in the 8-12th place finishes.
We're not going to get that elite level of talent that make us annual contenders unless we're picking higher in the draft or get really lucky with some hidden gems

hoping Porier, Klimchuk and even Janko could be that but still....

I agree that we should reserve judgement on Berra until he's at least played a few more games. That being said, I thought that he played really well last night. You could easily see how big he is in net, and his post to post movements were pretty good. There were definitely a few wrap arounds/sharp angle shots that I thought would have gone in if MacDonald had been in net. (Thank goodness we sent him back down the AHL. He's not our future anyways, so let's see what we actually have!)

Looking forward to seeing Berra play again soon!

When it comes to Backlund, it's a tough case. For years he was pushed to develop his defensive game to go with his natural offensive side of the game. Now that he has done that he is called out for net thinking offensive enough.

At the same time Colbourne is doing the offensive side.

Then when he gets back into a game he is matched with Bouma and McGratton. These guys being the energy and agitation, and they do it well. But wingers like those , and the 9 minutes a game the play aren't going to do Backlund any favors on the offensive side of the game.

There was the pre-season plan of trying Backlund on the wing, and Galiardi at Center. I also think that Galiardi may be more suited to that energy / physical / agitation type role with Bouma and Mcgratton.

Further to that Backlund does bring his developed defensive abilities at the center position. This can be of most benefit if you were to put him on the wing with Monahan and Baertschi. I know Hudler has had great Chemistty there, but he will also be great on a line with Coulborne and Cammalleri.

Backlund has shown chemistry with Baertschi in the past, and he can help this line defensively. It is said that the part of Monahan's game that he most needs to work on is the defensive side of things. So while he is developing that let Backlund take on the defensive responsibilities of the centerman on this line, while offensively that task would fall to Monahan. It is essentially a line with two centers, which can be of great benefit on faceoffs (especially depending on what zone they are in) and will not be a liability in the defensive end.

From there you get the defensive aspect to Backlund's game that he has worked hard to develop, while he will also be on a line with offensively gifted players that will allow him to bring that side of the game that he has now been asked to bring more of.
- dal_johnson

You know, there is a lot of merit to what you say. During the strike, Backs moved to wing & played with Berglund & he killed it. I would love to see Backs moved to wing with Sven & Sean. Nothing against Hudler, but I like the sounds of that line of Colborne, Cammi & Hudler. When Stemps gets back, him, Glenx & Galiardi sound pretty good. Stajan drives me nuts & personally, I would rather see him on the 4th line with McGratts & Bouma.

Jones has been looking slow & could slot in & out for injuries & with Bouma on that 4th line.

Out of curiosity....what are people's thought about how our team is looking over the long term?
At this rate, it looks like we're winning games from hard work, good coaching and a good system. But can this really project us into the next level?
or are we winning just enough to scrape by with a peak of squeeking into the playoffs but most likely middling in the 8-12th place finishes.
We're not going to get that elite level of talent that make us annual contenders unless we're picking higher in the draft or get really lucky with some hidden gems

hoping Porier, Klimchuk and even Janko could be that but still....
- cpltanto

Flames are humming along at a .500 clip & that will probably get us a top 10 pick. You don't have to have 3 1st overalls in a row, just look North. Right now I am really excited about our forward prospects. Gaudreau definitely has top 6 written all over him & Porier is looking like he has top 6 ceiling as well. We have quite a few 2nd & 3rd line forward prospects that are tracking real good like Arnold, Knight, Reinhart, Klimchuk. Goaltending is actually looking pretty decent & if Berra looks like the real deal, we will have a fierce battle brewing to tend net in Calgary in the years to come with Ortio/Brossoit & Gilles.
Our biggest concern is on defence. We have Brodie for the future, we have excellent vets in Gio & Wideman to carry us the next 2-3 years but after that..........

I'm not a huge Butler fan but he has stepped up his game in liu of the extra minutes. Still not confident with him. Russell is starting to grow on me but that is a work in progress, he seems too small. SOB will have trouble making this team in 2 years & I still need to see what Seiloff, Cundari & Whetherspoon can do yet. Just not sure any of them can pull a Brodie & develop to a top 2-3 dman like Brodie has. He was a beast last night. I really really really want to see Feaster score a solid top 4 dman & if we have to give up something we don't want to give so be it. My target is to see what it would take to get Myers from Buffalo, they seem to want sell everything and go the Oiler route to rebuilding I would put them as a huge odds to winning the Mcdavid sweeps if I were a bookie in Vegas.

Out of curiosity....what are people's thought about how our team is looking over the long term?
At this rate, it looks like we're winning games from hard work, good coaching and a good system. But can this really project us into the next level?
or are we winning just enough to scrape by with a peak of squeeking into the playoffs but most likely middling in the 8-12th place finishes.
We're not going to get that elite level of talent that make us annual contenders unless we're picking higher in the draft or get really lucky with some hidden gems

hoping Porier, Klimchuk and even Janko could be that but still....
- cpltanto

I like the direction they are going. The coaching is doing exactly what I want them too with young players. There are a lot of prospects in the system. They might not all pan out but more then a few should. Everyone points to the hawks and pens cups saying you have to get multiple top 5 picks to be good but look at what the kings and bruins did ... Tanking is not the best option ... It gives false hope and creates unfair expectations and can lead to bad morale ... Just be happy you get to watch competitive hockey and hope the drafting that has been done turns out good and the drafting that will be done turns out good as well.... Patience is key right now

Flames are humming along at a .500 clip & that will probably get us a top 10 pick. You don't have to have 3 1st overalls in a row, just look North. Right now I am really excited about our forward prospects. Gaudreau definitely has top 6 written all over him & Porier is looking like he has top 6 ceiling as well. We have quite a few 2nd & 3rd line forward prospects that are tracking real good like Arnold, Knight, Reinhart, Klimchuk. Goaltending is actually looking pretty decent & if Berra looks like the real deal, we will have a fierce battle brewing to tend net in Calgary in the years to come with Ortio/Brossoit & Gilles.
Our biggest concern is on defence. We have Brodie for the future, we have excellent vets in Gio & Wideman to carry us the next 2-3 years but after that..........

I'm not a huge Butler fan but he has stepped up his game in liu of the extra minutes. Still not confident with him. Russell is starting to grow on me but that is a work in progress, he seems too small. SOB will have trouble making this team in 2 years & I still need to see what Seiloff, Cundari & Whetherspoon can do yet. Just not sure any of them can pull a Brodie & develop to a top 2-3 dman like Brodie has. He was a beast last night. I really really really want to see Feaster score a solid top 4 dman & if we have to give up something we don't want to give so be it. My target is to see what it would take to get Myers from Buffalo, they seem to want sell everything and go the Oiler route to rebuilding I would put them as a huge odds to winning the Mcdavid sweeps if I were a bookie in Vegas.
- Kevin R

Well said

When it comes to Backlund, it's a tough case. For years he was pushed to develop his defensive game to go with his natural offensive side of the game. Now that he has done that he is called out for net thinking offensive enough.

At the same time Colbourne is doing the offensive side.

Then when he gets back into a game he is matched with Bouma and McGratton. These guys being the energy and agitation, and they do it well. But wingers like those , and the 9 minutes a game the play aren't going to do Backlund any favors on the offensive side of the game.

There was the pre-season plan of trying Backlund on the wing, and Galiardi at Center. I also think that Galiardi may be more suited to that energy / physical / agitation type role with Bouma and Mcgratton.

Further to that Backlund does bring his developed defensive abilities at the center position. This can be of most benefit if you were to put him on the wing with Monahan and Baertschi. I know Hudler has had great Chemistty there, but he will also be great on a line with Coulborne and Cammalleri.

Backlund has shown chemistry with Baertschi in the past, and he can help this line defensively. It is said that the part of Monahan's game that he most needs to work on is the defensive side of things. So while he is developing that let Backlund take on the defensive responsibilities of the centerman on this line, while offensively that task would fall to Monahan. It is essentially a line with two centers, which can be of great benefit on faceoffs (especially depending on what zone they are in) and will not be a liability in the defensive end.

From there you get the defensive aspect to Backlund's game that he has worked hard to develop, while he will also be on a line with offensively gifted players that will allow him to bring that side of the game that he has now been asked to bring more of.
- dal_johnson

I agree with all of this. Best post of at least the last week. Cheers.

You know, there is a lot of merit to what you say. During the strike, Backs moved to wing & played with Berglund & he killed it. I would love to see Backs moved to wing with Sven & Sean. Nothing against Hudler, but I like the sounds of that line of Colborne, Cammi & Hudler. When Stemps gets back, him, Glenx & Galiardi sound pretty good. Stajan drives me nuts & personally, I would rather see him on the 4th line with McGratts & Bouma.

Jones has been looking slow & could slot in & out for injuries & with Bouma on that 4th line.
- Kevin R

I agree.

I hear on Oiler sites the pitch forks & torches are out. If I were Kevin Lowe, I would be going underground.
- Kevin R

It's pretty damn close to being like that!