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Polarbearice

Robert Cleave

Feb 25, 2009 Jun 01, 2012 154 3520

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Matchsticks and Gasoline So, there's that...

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

I'm headed to Flames Nation as a regular contributor as of this week, so I just wanted to drop back in to offer a few words of thanks before I bugger off.

 

First, thanks to Kent and Hayley for offering me the opportunity to contribute here. Without the platform they presented me, the chance to head to FN doesn't happen, because I'm entirely too lazy to have started a blog of my own ;-) Seriously, both of them were excellent to me all season, and I appreciate it. 

As well, thanks to the other editors, R O and maimster, our Scandinavian friend shep_, and all of you that took the time to be regular or irregular commenters. I definitely enjoyed the discussion around these parts, and I hope to continue to be a part of it as a semi-regular in comments. 

Again, thanks to all for your time and your willingness as an audience to indulge me. I won't be a stranger around here, and if you're so inclined, you're certainly welcome to drop by the new digs to see what Mr. Wilson and the rest of us are up to. 

7 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Ian White - A Closer Look at EV

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

The Flames may or may not have much in the way of roster movement this summer, but one player that a decision needs to be made about is Ian White. The rearguard is a RFA on July 1st, and recent reports suggest a potential payday in the 3 million-plus range. The Commissioner's press conference Friday afternoon did bring the welcome news that the cap is likely to increase by about 2 million for next year, but the Flames are still in a precarious cap position, so "value for money" should be the watchwords when making a judgement on any potential contract for the Steinbach, MB. native. 

Now I know that the entire concept of "value for money" seems like it's lost on the Flames, but let's suspend our disbelief, at least for the purposes of this exercise, and have a look at Ian White's underlying numbers at EV with the Flames. As usual when we review these sorts of numbers, the data comes from Vic Ferrari's timeonice.com and Behind the Net.

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47 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline A Case of the Mondays: Holiday Edition

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

Photo

 

With Hayley off enjoying the lovely warm not-currently-raining spring weather this long weekend, I took a look around the hockey world for a few items of interest for your holiday Monday. After the jump, the Blackhawks are headed to the Finals, the Flyers look like they're on route as well, and a good man of the hockey-sphere bids adieu to a friend.

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6 comments  | 

Mikael Backlund to WC?

Presuming Darren Dreger's got his info correct, the Flames' top prospect is headed to Germany to join his country's entry in the World Championship.

about 2 years ago Polarbearice_tiny Robert Cleave 5 comments

Matchsticks and Gasoline Chris Higgins - a closer look

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Sometimes it's worthwhile to let a bit of time pass before beginning to assess a season like the one we just witnessed from the Flames. The last few weeks left most of us fairly sour towards the team, players, coaches and management all included, so I wanted to let things settle before beginning my post-mortems.

With that spirit of equanimity in mind,  it seems like a good occasion to have a closer look at what went on from the time Christopher Higgins joined the team until his ankle injury in Vancouver, because that brief episode always had the feeling, at least for me, of possibility. 

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19 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Canucks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

GM Place

8 PM MT

Opposition: Nucks Misconduct

TV: CBC

The Flames' season of disappointment and unrest concludes this evening against the same foe that opened their schedule just over six months ago. That night was filled with hopes for a bright season, most of which were unfulfilled. Over the next few weeks, there will be plenty of discussion here and elsewhere about the hows and whys of it all, and I have a few things in the hopper that are in that vein.

Tonight, though, is not that time, at least for me. Instead, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my personal thanks to those of you that make up our little community. None of what we do around here really works unless the commentariat is at least somewhat engaged, and those of you that frequent this place are certainly engaged. Honestly, it's easy to hang around when a team is really good, and just about as easy (as the Oilogisphere proves every day) to pick over a rotting corpse. For those of us watching a team in the mushy middle, it often seems simpler to quit caring quite as much, especially when the inspiration provided by the action on-ice was lacking on so many nights. 

Game time is 8 MT on CBC. Irrespective of whatever level of disappointment with the year's results you might be feeling today, it's still the last chance to watch our team this season, for better or worse. Enjoy the game, and thanks again for dropping by and for all of your comments this year.



77 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Wild Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Hockey Wilderness

TV: Sportsnet West


With the post-season an impossibility after Tuesday's events, the Flames close the home portion of the schedule with a dead rubber versus the Wild. Under different circumstances, it might be seen as a last opportunity to watch some young players continue their development, or a night for old favourites to have a last go before sliding away into the mists. That sort of night would be filled with a bit of hope and a few good feelings.

Tonight, though, isn't likely to have that air about it. As the season has wound to its conclusion, the atmosphere amongst the patrons has been a bit foul, with open dissent aimed at the absence of offence, and at the PP in particular. Hard to blame them for that. With only tonight's encounter remaining at the 'Dome, there's every possibility that the Flames will finish the year scoring the fewest total goals on home ice of any team in the league, and the fewest PP markers in the league, full stop.  

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189 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Sharks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Fear The Fin

TV: TSN


It's always a strange feeling when your team is teetering. As fans, expressions of hope and despair swap places quite frequently in these times, as we've all noticed in the last couple of weeks. A pair of crap outings out East had most of us writing off the year, yet a win in Denver Friday likely had people feeling at least slightly optimistic about the potential for extra hockey this spring.

Sunday, however, saw the needle move hard towards the "D" setting on the scale. Things are now so completely beyond the Flames' control that their acquisition of a playoff berth would merely be an indictment of the Avalanche, nothing more or less. Tonight, on a night when the end may come officially, Calgary hosts a team that has mastered the regular season with their usual aplomb.

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581 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Blackhawks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

United Center

1 PM MT

Opposition: Second City Hockey

TV: Sportsnet West


With the Avalanche and their fans left muttering about goalies and luck, one might almost think that the Flames accomplished a great feat on Friday. Would that it were so. I'm not quite as dour as the former manager of this joint regarding recent events, mindful as I am that the Flames are missing three forwards that would be regular, and very helpful, fixtures in the lineup. That noted, I have a hard time imagining the Flames beating a top-end club with the sort of shaky effort that characterized about half of the affair in Denver, Kipper or no.

This afternoon, the quality of the opposition takes a bit of a step up, as the Flames play the team that has, IMO, the best overall collection of forwards in the game. They are also, without question, Calgary's bête noire. The last couple of seasons have seen them beat the Flames in any number of novel fashions, and none was more cruel than the last time the two clubs met on West Madison Street.

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255 comments  | 

Mitch Wahl joins Heat

With his Spokane Chiefs eliminated earlier this week, it's no surprise that the Seal Beach, CA. native will continue his season in the AHL. The injury-ravaged Heat could use him, given that they're already missing Jaffray, Chucko and John Armstrong. Add in the fact that Brett Sutter is in the bigs for now, and it's clear that any healthy forward would be a bonus for Playfair and co.

about 2 years ago Polarbearice_tiny Robert Cleave 5 comments

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Avalanche Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline



The Flames are in a virtual win-or-go-home spot, and need a regulation win to really make this work. The time for analysis is done. Let's get this deal started.

297 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames Game Day: Glimmer

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche

Pepsi Center

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Mile High Hockey

TV: Sportsnet West


The corpse still has a bit of life, apparently.  Last Saturday afternoon, I wouldn't have given a nickel for the Flames' chances at the second season, with a sizable gap forming between themselves and the playoff bound clubs of the West and Calgary's actual play being what it was. Six days later, not only are they alive, but the team that they've been chasing has the air of a team that might just be feeling like they're in over their heads. Interesting times, indeed.

For all the good feelings that the recent Flame wins might be causing, the biggest reason that the two teams have been drawing nearer to each other is that one club has been receiving acceptable-to-very-good goaltending while being somewhat outplayed, and the other club is Colorado. That noted, the odds still run against the Flames and every tie-breaker will certainly favour the Avalanche at season's end, so tonight's encounter in Denver is really Game Seven, Mark III. 

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21 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Coyotes Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

Pengrowth Saddledome

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Five For Howling

TV: Sportsnet West

 

The Flames' unlikely win in Washington has given them what might be one last hope for a post-season spot. That game itself was hardly a masterwork, particularly when they went to the full rope-a-dope in the third, but it has permitted at least some small ray of hope to permeate what's been a fairly grim atmosphere around both the club and the fans over the last couple of weeks. The numbers are still weighing against Calgary playing any hockey after their trip to Vancouver next weekend, though, even with the slight slide that Colorado is currently undergoing. Another loss really should be curtains.

Tonight, the Flames continue their battle against the odds with a match versus this year's greatest surprise package. The Coyotes have comfortably settled in the sort of position that most of us would have expected the Flames to be inhabiting with half a dozen games left. Not so, of course, and with that, this evening's affair is Game Seven, yet again.

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525 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Capitals Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Verizon Center

1 PM MT

Opposition: Japers' Rink

TV: Sportsnet West




The Flames travel to the District this afternoon secure in the knowledge that they will be finished with this lamentable season in two weeks after a wasted afternoon in Massachusetts. An outing where the PK wasn't quite there and the rest of their game was ineffective leaves them marking time until the 10th of April, with the off-season holding more interest for fans than the final seven games. Given that the Flames have exactly one young player in the line-up at the moment, there isn't even the prospect of evaluating the future for next year and beyond, so these last two weeks will likely feel interminable.

If the Flames are slightly inept and a tad dull, their opposition are at the other end of matters, with the conference title in hand and a genuine superstar in the ranks. The Capitals are an interesting team to watch, with air of recklessness about them that make their games a highlight reel maker's wet dream.   

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300 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Bruins Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

TD Garden

11 AM MT

Opposition: Stanley Cup of Chowder

TV: PPV

I'm truncating this pre-game with two thoughts in minds. First, as of this morning, the Flames are dead as a doornail and everyone knows it, so there's no real reason to discuss what they need to do to make the post-season. It isn't happening. Second, there are only so many times I'm willing to attempt to set up a game when a team's best players leave me so little to work with, and Calgary's putative best haven't good enough, for any number of reasons that I suspect we'll beat the crap out of in the coming weeks. Absent a miracle, we'll be able to officially concentrate on the post-mortems in a week or so when the mathematical elimination occurs.


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98 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Islanders Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Nassau Coliseum 

5 PM MT

Opposition: Lighthouse Hockey

TV: Sportsnet West


After watching the Wings win last evening and seeing Colorado and L.A. play their second three-pointer in the last few days, I'm more convinced than ever that the Flames can afford a maximum of one more loss this year. That would put them at 99 points, and that might just be enough to get them to the second season. Maybe. If they have a few things go their way. Possibly. I think you get the point.

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159 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Ducks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7 PM MT

Opposition: Anaheim Calling

TV: Sportsnet West


A damaged Flames club returns home this evening nearing the end of its year. I don't know what specific record will get them into the post-season, but if it's much less than 9-1, I think I'd be a bit surprised. The other Western Conference teams have enough cushion that simply getting another 10 points from 10 games puts them virtually out of reach, so absent a significant fall-off from Detroit or Colorado, the Flames are at the point where they need to run the table. 

Doing that without an ever-growing number of valuable people is clearly a fairly daunting prospect, and since Calgary wasn't exactly tearing it up when fully healthy, the odds appear insurmountable. As I mentioned the other day, the advent of the three point game makes it difficult to make up ground in a short period, and we've certainly seen other teams benefit from the extra point in recent days. Tonight, the Flames' campaign to prove me utterly wrong resumes against a club they should be able to beat when healthy, but rarely do.

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123 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Wild Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Xcel Energy Center

1 PM MT

Opposition: Hockey Wilderness

TV: Sportsnet West


What was it I said the other day about a nice win that leaves the Flames no closer to the playoffs? With the excitement from Friday's victory fading, last night's results were just a reminder of the place Calgary finds themselves in with three weeks left on the schedule. In the era of three point games, any team trying to overhaul good teams this late in the year faces a serious hurdle, and for all the talk about how tough the Flames' finishing stretch is, one thing that isn't present is the chance to hold those other teams down. The Flames really don't have a sniff at catching any team above L.A.,only that last Avalanche outing is against a team in that range. 

The next week is still, in theory at least, a chance for the club to make a move. Until they meet the likely President's trophy winners a week today, it's nothing but teams below them in the standings, starting in St. Paul this afternoon. They have no more margin for error than they did before Friday, not an inch more slack in the noose, so this afternoon's Wild encounter, like every game left, has the feel of must-win.

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153 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Sharks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7 PM MT

Opposition: Fear The Fin

TV: Sportsnet West


Sitting in the back of a car

Music so loud I can't tell a thing

Thinking 'bout what to say

And I can't find the lines


Big Star - Back of a Car

 

 

The Flames return to their uncomfortable home this evening, still trying to unlock the mysteries of a desultory home record, still trying to fix the apparently unfixable, still too close to nowhere. The win over the Avalanche was certainly nice enough, in that losing the first four games of the season series to Colorado has been one the causes for the standings ditch the club is lying in at the moment, but it's no end. The disappointments of earlier this week still have matters on a very fine edge, with any future loss another merciless shovelful on the grave.

Tonight, the Flames meet a club that sent them to the signature loss of their year, a night where the phrase "one-way traffic" wasn't a strong enough descriptive for the display on ice. Calgary will face the visitors from the Bay absent yet another useful player as well, negating some of the advantages of the depth added since January. Desperate times, indeed. 

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226 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Avalanche Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pepsi Center

7 PM MT

Opposition: Mile High Hockey

TV: TSN

I don`t know when the last meaningful chance to salvage this season of disappointment will occur, but if in retrospect it turns out to have been this evening in Denver, would anyone be surprised at this juncture? The scoring of last week was nothing but a chimera, it appears, with the shots and chances fading away, and the hopes of of the Flames are just about gone with them. Having the Avalanche apply the coupe de grace would have a certain painful appropriateness, as much as I'd hate to admit it.

The eulogies, though, will have all summer to be composed, so today, as I sit in my Austin hotel room waiting to go some place where happier things await, let's address the matter at hand. The Flames can't afford one more game like Monday's, or one more period like the first on Sunday. The margin that this team operates under at the moment is so unforgiving that one more failed outing will almost certainly guarantee ninth or worse. So, now what?

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340 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Red Wings Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Winging It In Motown

TV: TSN


Tonight may not officially be a Game Seven, but the Flames do find themselves in a bit of a pickle at the moment. I didn't expect the Flames to run off 19 straight to end the year or anything of that nature, but last night's no-show first period did come at an unwelcome time, leaving this evening's tilt with the Red Menace with the feel of an elimination game for Calgary.

The situation is fairly simple, of course. If the Flames win, they will be back in 8th with some worthwhile tie-breaker advantages. Lose, and they're 3 points in arrears with only 13 games left. It's a big game, or more accurately, a Big Game™. If the Flames are going to be on the right side of the scoresheet, a few of last night's problems will need to be expunged, and they'll possibly have to do it without a fairly useful gentleman in the line-up.


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227 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Canucks Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

General Motors Place

8 PM MT

Opposition: Nucks Misconduct

TV: Sportsnet West

The Flames' season is at a tipping point, IMO. As well as they've done over the last week they still find themselves outside of the playoffs with four weeks to go, unable to make any headway in the chase for a spot in the top eight. It appears that the only way to gain any ground is to win head-to-head match-ups against other Western Conference teams, so the next three games are an occasion for Calgary to reel some teams in. I don't think I'm over-selling things to say that we might well have a handle on the team's chance at the post-season by the close of business Wednesday, and with that in mind, tonight is the first opportunity to make a move.  

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226 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Senators Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7:30 PM MT

Opposition: Silver Seven

TV: Sportsnet West

Tuesday's third period was one of those moments where, if a person was inclined to think that the Flames actually have something, the pieces started to look like they might just be fitting. Even if Detroit isn't the juggernaut of recent past, they're still a good team playing at home, and the Flames strangled them. After the Bourque game-winner with 12:44 remaining, Detroit had one SOG. One. None in the last 8:11. At the Joe. Even if those numbers occurred against this year's Oilers at the Dome they would be impressive, but given the stakes involved, that was a signature effort.

And with that performance, the team has vaulted all the way to...a completely tenuous hold on 8th place. That's really the point that has to be reinforced here. Great game and all that, but if Calgary wants to be more than some also-ran outfit, that type of play has to be the norm for the duration. Tonight, they'll attempt to prolong this era of good feeling against a club that has hopes of their own for a run in the second season. 

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311 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Red Wings Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Joe Louis Arena

5 PM MT

Opposition: Winging It In Motown

TV: Sportsnet

Games against the Winged Wheel are always the sort that capture my attention. That organization has been, for whatever I may think of some parts of their on-line fanbase from time to time, the league's benchmark since the mid-90's. Earlier in the year, injuries and the off-season culling caused by cap issues left them looking less than themselves, but the last few weeks have seen their health improve, and their post-season chances are looking rosier as well.

Tonight, the Flames head to the Motor City with an opportunity at hand to vault over the Red Menace and into a temporary perch in the top eight. It promises to be the most thorough examination to date of the GM's roster make-over, since, as I mentioned yesterday, good Western Conference clubs are still the relevant challenge Calgary has to meet if they plan on hockey past April 10th.

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253 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline March 8 News and Notes

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

With the Olympics put to bed, the NHL got back to business last week, and the round-up returns as well. This week, the Flames make a few moves, then manage a couple of wins, Abbotsford's husk of a lineup prepares for some national TV exposure, and Matt Cooke does what Matt Cooke does.

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11 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Wild Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Xcel Energy Center

1 PM MT

Opposition: Hockey Wilderness

TV: Sportsnet West



With a badly needed win tucked away Friday, the Flames head out for a two game sojourn that starts in St. Paul this afternoon. I mentioned the other night that pretty much every game is a mandatory victory at this juncture, and today's meet-up with the Wild is no different. In fact, it's the type of game where they could do themselves a favour by separating from a team below them for once. As we all saw on Wednesday, the Wild do seem to have the ability to put Calgary into a deep slumber, and that type of half-game effort just won't do when you're not comfortably in the playoffs.

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427 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Flames vs. Devils Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 

Pengrowth Saddledome

7 PM MT

Opposition: In Lou We Trust

TV: Sportsnet West

There aren't many cliches that reach their saturation point faster than the ones about "must-wins" and "big games down the stretch". Too often, the points in the latter part of the season are treated as if they count for more, when not only is that not true in the literal sense, but teams that get hot late aren't really more or less successful in the post-season than teams that simply have decent records in March and April.

That said, when your season has been as indifferent as the Flames' through the first 63 games, you can break out the must-win stuff, I suppose, because they might need to win the overwhelming majority of their last 19 games to even have a sniff at mid-April action. Tonight, they host the one other team that decided to make it's major transaction before the Olympics.

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263 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Sclerosis

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

As I noted two nights ago, my expectations for positive activity at the trade deadline on the Flames' behalf were fairly low. With a day to reflect, I thought I'd try to make sense of the deals that Darryl Sutter made. As anyone who was reading my comments yesterday would know, I certainly wasn't seeing any benefits as the deals were occurring, but it only seemed fair to let things cool off before reviewing matters a bit more thoroughly.  

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31 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline Laughing on the Inside? Flames vs. Wild Game Thread

Polarbearice_tiny by Robert Cleave on on Matchsticks and Gasoline

 


Pengrowth Saddledome

8 PM MT

Opposition: Hockey Wilderness

TV: Sportsnet West

After an afternoon filled with, uh, some sort of emotion or other, the Flames return to the ice after their Olympic break. I'm going to let things sit for a night before I delve into the long term implications of Darryl Sutter's moves at the deadline, and with that in mind, it seems long past time to pay attention to an actual game. Tonight, they play a team that has made them look a bit foolish the first two times, and one that is part of the pack chasing those final playoff spots.


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211 comments  | 

Matchsticks and Gasoline NHL Trade Deadline Open Thread Vol. 2 - The Toskalol-ing

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With the main thread over 400 comments, let's move on for the rest of the afternoon, shall we?

338 comments  |