Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Season Opener Game Day!

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Season Opener Game Day!
- Colin Dambrauskas

It'll be a tough one tonight. We'll finally get a real glimpse of what they are going to look like this year.

It'll be a tough one tonight. We'll finally get a real glimpse of what they are going to look like this year.
- Iggysbff

First game of the year, I wouldnt put too much weight on it.....or else the Leafs are cup champs with two Vezina candidate goalies

First game of the year, I wouldnt put too much weight on it.....or else the Leafs are cup champs with two Vezina candidate goalies
- Colin Dambrauskas

Have you been on their blogs?
I think this team will compete most nights but with a lower expectation from the fan base. The sales pitch has been made, we're rebuilding and we're going to lose more than we win. My greatest fear is they'll play well enough to be middle of the pack (as in 10th-12th) where we get a lower(er) draft spot and no playoffs...

First game of the year, I wouldnt put too much weight on it.....or else the Leafs are cup champs with two Vezina candidate goalies
- Colin Dambrauskas

They aren't?

Also we need to figure some poop out. Majority is 11 of 30 now? I just need to know as people have now told me many or several years is 1 and I've made a note of it

I only watch games from day 1, but with those two games and looking at the stats board the new wild card as we stand is goaltending. It is hard to be a betting man right now as 8 of 12 goalies are pitching 3.00 GAA and over, only 5 goalies with a SPCT greater than .900.

Until goalies get use to the new equipment anything can and will happen.

Did you guys catch the blog I put up last night on Yzerman and fighting?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=54466

What do you guys think?...its going to be an interesting debate over the year I think...

Have you been on their blogs?
I think this team will compete most nights but with a lower expectation from the fan base. The sales pitch has been made, we're rebuilding and we're going to lose more than we win. My greatest fear is they'll play well enough to be middle of the pack (as in 10th-12th) where we get a lower(er) draft spot and no playoffs...
- geta02it

I agree, you want them to get a top 5 pick again, but you dont want them to stink every night and possibly hurt the development of guys like Backlund, Baertschi, Colborne, Monahan if he stays...you need these guys to be playing and learning in a winning environment as best they can. Get shelled every night has its impacts. Another reason why Mr. Monahan may be sent back down.

First game of the year, I wouldnt put too much weight on it.....or else the Leafs are cup champs with two Vezina candidate goalies
- Colin Dambrauskas

No doubt...and Oilers are gonna loose every lead they have because the goalie couldn't stop a beach ball in their fist game...

Majority of teams being 11 of 30? Lol

So is Ramo starting?

Majority of teams being 11 of 30? Lol

So is Ramo starting?
- KovyFan27

Ramo gets the nod...

Have you been on their blogs?
I think this team will compete most nights but with a lower expectation from the fan base. The sales pitch has been made, we're rebuilding and we're going to lose more than we win. My greatest fear is they'll play well enough to be middle of the pack (as in 10th-12th) where we get a lower(er) draft spot and no playoffs...
- geta02it

Well that's expected....The Jets fans were going on about winning a game they shouldn't have even been close in. The Leafs fans are pumping their team even though Philly outplayed them. Colorado fans the same....even though Anaheim outplayed them Colorado got a lot of breaks...I suspect it may have been the same on the oil board if we had won 5-1 like the score should have been...

Did you guys catch the blog I put up last night on Yzerman and fighting?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=54466

What do you guys think?...its going to be an interesting debate over the year I tihink...
- Colin Dambrauskas

I don't know what you can do. Hockey is a unique sport, you take out fighting you get the stick work. This isn't like Football or Rugby, NHLers have weapons in their hands. You don't think guys are going to use them in an angry fit?

I see why people want staged fighting out of the game, but how exactly do you even do that?

Too add NHL wants to protect it's players then it's simple, make players wear helmets designed for concussion. Make them wear full face shields. Make them wear throat guards. Make them wear a kevlar shirt and shocks. Get rid of hitting. Get rid of dropping down to block a shot. Get rid of the high tech sticks that allow these guys such hard shots.

Probably missed a few, but if they really cared there is a lot they can do. Or they can realize that this is a sport that pays guys millions and the guys are getting danger pay to play a game for a living.

Did you guys catch the blog I put up last night on Yzerman and fighting?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=54466

What do you guys think?...its going to be an interesting debate over the year I think...
- Colin Dambrauskas

I said this on Matt Henderson's blog yesterday. When a fight happens in the heat of battle, its exciting, the players love it, the fans go nuts and the vast majority of the time a bloody nose, cut eyebrow or black eye is the worst that happens. What happened to Parros was an unlucky and unfortunate accident. If thats a missed check do we debate banning checking? The staged fights, I agree to a certain extent but there is a place for that too. If an "enforcer" has been running a muck and targeting "star" players, sending your teams enforcer out will more than likely set the stage for a "staged fight"... I'm sure the Leafs would rather have Orr scrap Scott than Kessel lumberjacking a pest...

Majority of teams being 11 of 30? Lol

So is Ramo starting?
- KovyFan27

Close enough ...I changed it to several, we good?



Yeah Ramo should play in the 60 game range unless he plays below expectations...and that isnt very high.

Lines expected for tonight:

Galiardi - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertschi - Monahan - D Jones
Bouma - Street - McGrattan

Colborne

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Butler - O'Brien

Ramo

I said this on Matt Henderson's blog yesterday. When a fight happens in the heat of battle, its exciting, the players love it, the fans go nuts and the vast majority of the time a bloody nose, cut eyebrow or black eye is the worst that happens. What happened to Parros was an unlucky and unfortunate accident. If thats a missed check do we debate banning checking? The staged fights, I agree to a certain extent but there is a place for that too. If an "enforcer" has been running a muck and targeting "star" players, sending your teams enforcer out will more than likely set the stage for a "staged fight"... I'm sure the Leafs would rather have Orr scrap Scott than Kessel lumberjacking a pest...
- geta02it

In all fairness, when is the last time you have been at a game where a staged fight breaks out. People cheer the poop out of them. I've never witnessed anyone turn away or complain at a game. It's usually "get him", "give it to him" etc..

Wasn't a question, just a point.

As for staged fighting. Here's a question I have. Kassian hits Gagner or Smid hits Trouba, next shift at the draw Eager fights Kassian or Thorborn fights Smid. Is that not staged? Yet it's because a heat of the moment fight.

Lines expected for tonight:

Galiardi - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertschi - Monahan - D Jones
Bouma - Street - McGrattan

Colborne

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Butler - O'Brien

Ramo
- Colin Dambrauskas

???

Where the hell have I been

First game of the year, I wouldnt put too much weight on it.....or else the Leafs are cup champs with two Vezina candidate goalies
- Colin Dambrauskas

I'm just hoping they keep it close.

As for the fighting, it seems that the more "rules" the NHL phts into fighting (and other things) the more injuries tend to happen. As lahey said, if they have players wear full face shields that would pretty much eliminate the face punching. That would suck. The injuries are unfortunate but there are sticks and a hard rubber disc out there as well. Injuries are inevitable.

Just want to see a hard working team for the season. No more floaters please.

Anybody else think the flames will claim Urbom of waivers today?

No doubt...and Oilers are gonna loose every lead they have because the goalie couldn't stop a beach ball in their fist game...
- Iggysbff

I've said it for a while, Dubnyk's #'s are not too bad. He Just lacks the ability to make a save at the most important stages of the game. Moments when he could change momentum in the Oilers favour or steal it back, he hands it to the other team. He lacks Kipprusoffian abilities.

I'm just hoping they keep it close.

As for the fighting, it seems that the more "rules" the NHL phts into fighting (and other things) the more injuries tend to happen. As lahey said, if they have players wear full face shields that would pretty much eliminate the face punching. That would suck. The injuries are unfortunate but there are sticks and a hard rubber disc out there as well. Injuries are inevitable.
- TandA4Flames

I dont mind the idea of having a quick release visor...

Just want to see a hard working team for the season. No more floaters please.

Anybody else think the flames will claim Urbom of waivers today?
- nigelwright275

Haven't seen him play much. Good size and age, too bad he's not a RH shot. Is he better than what we have currently in our top 6?

I dont mind the idea of having a quick release visor...
- Colin Dambrauskas

Ooooooooo.......u r so wise.

Haven't seen him play much. Good size and age, too bad he's not a RH shot. Is he better than what we have currently in our top 6?
- TandA4Flames

We have Russell, Butler and SOB playing in the 4-6 spot and Smith in the pressbox. I think he is worth a look. Smith and Butler have no future after this year with the flames.