Todd Cordell: Flames 4, Canucks 3: Calgary overcomes slow start in bounce-back win

Really enjoy your columns Todd. Thanks so much.

Riding the workhorse is all about covering up their flaws. You can't consistently give up 30-40+ shots per game and expect your goalie to always bail you out. Likewise, you can't sit your backup for huge stretches of time and expect him to be game ready when he's A) not had enough reps to find his rhythm, B) the team plays like crap in front of him when he does play, and C) nothing (to knowledge) has been done to address why he has a funk every spring. Sooner or later, coaching will have to realize that they'll need to play Rittich with a bit more regularity if they want to boost his level of self confidence enough for him to be effective when he spells Markstrom AND if they want Markstrom to be at all successful in the playoffs. Currently, the way it's setting up is to repeat the playoff futility Kiprusoff had to endure having such a huge workload that he was burned out come playoffs, and that's on the coaches.

Regarding Mackey, his assist was secondary, not primary, on Lucic's goal (sorry to mince points). Otherwise, yeah, he had a solid game when he was out of the penalty box. That's a real concern for the Flames currently - being able to stay out of the box. Dube has found his butt glued to the bench more frequently due to taking some ridiculous penalties. Great kid with huge upside, and I wouldn't say that we saw that kind of boneheaded play from him last year or in the bubble. Hoping Ward can get through to him before it becomes a trend or he does something worthy of a suspension.

Riding the workhorse is all about covering up their flaws. You can't consistently give up 30-40+ shots per game and expect your goalie to always bail you out. Likewise, you can't sit your backup for huge stretches of time and expect him to be game ready when he's A) not had enough reps to find his rhythm, B) the team plays like crap in front of him when he does play, and C) nothing (to knowledge) has been done to address why he has a funk every spring. Sooner or later, coaching will have to realize that they'll need to play Rittich with a bit more regularity if they want to boost his level of self confidence enough for him to be effective when he spells Markstrom AND if they want Markstrom to be at all successful in the playoffs. Currently, the way it's setting up is to repeat the playoff futility Kiprusoff had to endure having such a huge workload that he was burned out come playoffs, and that's on the coaches.

Regarding Mackey, his assist was secondary, not primary, on Lucic's goal (sorry to mince points). Otherwise, yeah, he had a solid game when he was out of the penalty box. That's a real concern for the Flames currently - being able to stay out of the box. Dube has found his butt glued to the bench more frequently due to taking some ridiculous penalties. Great kid with huge upside, and I wouldn't say that we saw that kind of boneheaded play from him last year or in the bubble. Hoping Ward can get through to him before it becomes a trend or he does something worthy of a suspension.
- WrySatyr

Come on those first period penalties were ridiculous! Aside from makies baby tap high stick. (But a high stick is a high stick). Kinda like a puck over the glass. But the other calls come on let them play that was weak! at the very least if that is how the refs are going call the game then call the game like like that in all 3 periods not just the first. Can’t stand the Reffing this year.

I can totally envision the time when we finally get to play Ottawa this year, that the team is going to underestimate them and get outworked and outplayed-- just like against Vancouver so far. The Flames were lucky to get 2 points this road trip, let alone 4. Thank the heavens (or Sweden) for strong goaltending.

In the Saturday game, getting the puck over the center line was a major accomplishment. Something has to change (personnel or the overall work effort) because this isn't a playoff team this year.

I can totally envision the time when we finally get to play Ottawa this year, that the team is going to underestimate them and get outworked and outplayed-- just like against Vancouver so far. The Flames were lucky to get 2 points this road trip, let alone 4. Thank the heavens (or Sweden) for strong goaltending.

In the Saturday game, getting the puck over the center line was a major accomplishment. Something has to change (personnel or the overall work effort) because this isn't a playoff team this year.

Yup

Ward sending out Froese with the clock running down and defending a lead is a big reason we’ll look back on his time coaching as a waste of a season.

Ward sending out Froese with the clock running down and defending a lead is a big reason we’ll look back on his time coaching as a waste of a season.
- fry

Yup!! Ward is also a huge reason for rittich’s conference! Throwing rittich to the wolf’s in game 6 agents Dallas, for that matter from the 14 min on in that game I lost a ton of respect for him he should have never been brought back for that reason

I can totally envision the time when we finally get to play Ottawa this year, that the team is going to underestimate them and get outworked and outplayed-- just like against Vancouver so far. The Flames were lucky to get 2 points this road trip, let alone 4. Thank the heavens (or Sweden) for strong goaltending.

In the Saturday game, getting the puck over the center line was a major accomplishment. Something has to change (personnel or the overall work effort) because this isn't a playoff team this year.
- MABster

Maybe look at their division? Are you going to make a ludicrous argument that they're worse than Vancouver or Ottawa? Every complaint people are making about the Flames is a much bigger issue in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is statistically one of the worst teams in the league, but they're buoyed by goaltending and Ehlers. And Edmonton is Edmonton.

Last night was a great sign of improvement. Going down 2-0 early in the past would have caused them to fold in the past. It didn't phase them at all and they controlled the whole game for the most part.

There's no chance the Flames aren't a playoff team. Teams that do as good a job of creating and preventing scoring chances as the Flames have been doing always make the playoffs.

Hunk you always said negative things about the Flames (many of those were true )... but I am not used to all the positive coming from you about the Flames. It's throwing me off... the world doesn't make sense

I actually agree with Hunk for once, they battled back down 2-0 and got the win. They could've easily given up and gave up. It will be interesting with the back to games against Edmonton on Friday and Saturday which one Rittich will start.

Maybe look at their division? Are you going to make a ludicrous argument that they're worse than Vancouver or Ottawa? Every complaint people are making about the Flames is a much bigger issue in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is statistically one of the worst teams in the league, but they're buoyed by goaltending and Ehlers. And Edmonton is Edmonton.

Last night was a great sign of improvement. Going down 2-0 early in the past would have caused them to fold in the past. It didn't phase them at all and they controlled the whole game for the most part.

There's no chance the Flames aren't a playoff team. Teams that do as good a job of creating and preventing scoring chances as the Flames have been doing always make the playoffs.
- Hunkulese

I normally agree with your takes, but it’s hard to agree with your opinion on Winnipeg. They’re playing better hockey than we are lately. Much better team defense keeping opposing players to the outside. Better Coaching than us as well.

Ward sending out Froese with the clock running down and defending a lead is a big reason we’ll look back on his time coaching as a waste of a season.
- fry

BRAIN FARTS!

Hunk you always said negative things about the Flames (many of those were true )... but I am not used to all the positive coming from you about the Flames. It's throwing me off... the world doesn't make sense

- hockey4hockey

I've always been positive about the Flames. I was negative about Ortio, Gilles, Brodie, and Hamilton, and that's all people notice.

I normally agree with your takes, but it’s hard to agree with your opinion on Winnipeg. They’re playing better hockey than we are lately. Much better team defense keeping opposing players to the outside. Better Coaching than us as well.
- fry

In their past 5 games, high danger chances for and against for the Jets.

6-11
1-13
11-20
17-11
6-14

That's not good.

Jets fans also hate Maurice. I think most fans think their team has the worst coach in the league.

I've always been positive about the Flames. I was negative about Ortio, Gilles, Brodie, and Hamilton, and that's all people notice.
- Hunkulese

For the most part you have. I think sometimes you just want to argue, playing devils advocate, getting people riled up.

I agree with you about the Flames though 8 of a possible 10 points and people are freaking out.step away from the ledge people, we can’t win every game. We haven’t played Ottawa yet!

For the most part you have. I think sometimes you just want to argue, playing devils advocate, getting people riled up.

I agree with you about the Flames though 8 of a possible 10 points and people are freaking out.step away from the ledge people, we can’t win every game. We haven’t played Ottawa yet!
- K-man25

Criticizing the team you love does not make you less of a fan. Pointing out objective faults isn't a bad thing. The Flames are better than the Canucks and Sens, and its not really a debate, but to think they are top tier in the league without fault is such HB Homerism .

If the flames ditch Bennet they will probably get nothing in return or a pick of some sort. Hopefully they can call up a kid get him through 2 weeks quarantine and put him out there which would be nice.

They are just a touch over a quarter of the season in now, don't panic just yet when were coming up on 25 games worry more. The flames have a massive history of slow season starts. I wish I was wrong on this but I am not. There just isn't a lot of time in 56 games like 82. I do believe they might take the third spot in the division yet!

Criticizing the team you love does not make you less of a fan. Pointing out objective faults isn't a bad thing. The Flames are better than the Canucks and Sens, and its not really a debate, but to think they are top tier in the league without fault is such HB Homerism .
- Codes1087

THIS

Criticizing the team you love does not make you less of a fan. Pointing out objective faults isn't a bad thing. The Flames are better than the Canucks and Sens, and its not really a debate, but to think they are top tier in the league without fault is such HB Homerism .
- Codes1087

There's not a single person on here saying they're a top tier team without fault. They're in the same tier as about 20 other teams. They're good enough to win the Cup if they iron out their biggest issues and get hot at the right time. Six teams in the North division are in that tier.

They only have to worry about those teams until the conference finals or whatever it's called this year.

I've always been positive about the Flames. I was negative about Ortio, Gilles, Brodie, and Hamilton, and that's all people notice.
- Hunkulese

That's fair, and I guess you were right on many of those.

For the most part you have. I think sometimes you just want to argue, playing devils advocate, getting people riled up.

I agree with you about the Flames though 8 of a possible 10 points and people are freaking out.step away from the ledge people, we can’t win every game. We haven’t played Ottawa yet!
- K-man25

Ottawa beat Leafs... and Leafs beat us twice already... so I wouldn't take Ottawa lightly. Especially Flames, they have the tendency to play badly against bottom teams.

Criticizing the team you love does not make you less of a fan. Pointing out objective faults isn't a bad thing. The Flames are better than the Canucks and Sens, and its not really a debate, but to think they are top tier in the league without fault is such HB Homerism .
- Codes1087

We are nowhere close to the top tier team... but every team gets on a hot streak once in a while... maybe Flames will get on a hot streak just before the playoffs and bring the cup to Calgary.... we can dream right

In their past 5 games, high danger chances for and against for the Jets.

6-11
1-13
11-20
17-11
6-14

That's not good.

Jets fans also hate Maurice. I think most fans think their team has the worst coach in the league.
- Hunkulese

Yup, this isn't good - hadn't gone into the Jets stats, but, yes, this is indicative of a potential problem on the horizon for these guys if they can't figure out their defense... Maybe they can lure Buff out of retirement for one last go.

I realize BSD has to get some games but when we’re playing the Canucks with days off, Markstrom has to play. I’d be more pissed if Ward didn’t play Marky on Wednesday just so Rittich can feel good about himself. Dave will get a game against the Oilers this weekend and he better take advantage of the situation and make it hard not to give him more games.
I thought Valimaki looked good on the power play last night, like the fact that he got a chance to see what he can contribute.
Gio throwing the puck away on that set pass back on the pp has got to stop. Ffs everybody knows this play, it’s not like he’s fooling anyone.
Todd your love for Mang and Raz is undeniable. I get it I love watching my former Rockets do well, but I stick with my feeling that you’ve never acknowledged, Dube> Mangiapani