Post by TheMainEvent on Apr 11, 2007 21:50:01 GMT -5
THESE FLAMES ARE ALMOST EXTINGUISHED
By JIM PEPLINSKI CALGARY-SUN COLUMNIST
Until this hockey team can at least win a game the talk in this town about this teams playoff chances is not only a joke but perhaps embarrassing. The fact that Calgary is assured a birth in this years playoffs is the only silver lining in this most horrific of times here hockey proud Alberta.
Hockey fans here we sit faced with the realization that our hockey team is 0-12 and going nowhere fast. Is there still time to right this ship.....absolutely.......but they better start treating the last third of this season as life and death
or the fans may just start wearing paper bags to the games.
Lets start with what's right with this team:
Captain Jerome Iginla who's true leadership skills have been on display during this frustrating season has been stellar with 13 goals and 15 points in 12 games. When asked about the teams struggles the captain showed his optimistic side "look, we know we can do better and we're working at being better each and every game. We've been in most games and if we can continue to progress we may just hit our stride dome play off time"
If only this team had 6 more Iginla's.
Goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff has been nothing short of amazing. With his team desperately focused on being aggressive offensively or being shorthanded taking silly penalties Kip has faced more rubber then a hooker at a condom convention. He's faced an astounding 502 shots on net in 11 games, Boys and girls thats an average of 46 shots per game!! Its no wonder this goalie has been spending more time in the trainers room the the practice ice. The only more ice Mikka needs is one you'd put in a glass......pour this poor guy a drink!
The Flames have the last third of the season left and the play offs will be on us whether we deserve it or not. The the Sabres looming as the first round match up there are some real problems that this team has to work on.
1. Play better defensively, and stop giving up so many shots
2. STOP taking needless stupid penalties!!
3. Calgary forwards have to help Iginla, as great as he is Amonte, Tanguay, Yelle etc have to starting earning there paychecks
4. STOP taking needless stupid penalties!!
Sounds like we need a miracle but really if this team can focus and work hard at what they need to do, maybe just maybe they can finish this forgettable season positively.
Rumors of my former teammate Lanny McDonald taking over as coach of this team has given this team some urgency to try and save coach Jim Playfair's but chances are his job may already be gone unless the Flames run the table and have some success in the play offs.
The thing to watch is the effort and pride in this teams next games. Does this team have what takes to get better?? We shall all see very soon.
By JIM PEPLINSKI CALGARY-SUN COLUMNIST
Until this hockey team can at least win a game the talk in this town about this teams playoff chances is not only a joke but perhaps embarrassing. The fact that Calgary is assured a birth in this years playoffs is the only silver lining in this most horrific of times here hockey proud Alberta.
Hockey fans here we sit faced with the realization that our hockey team is 0-12 and going nowhere fast. Is there still time to right this ship.....absolutely.......but they better start treating the last third of this season as life and death
or the fans may just start wearing paper bags to the games.
Lets start with what's right with this team:
Captain Jerome Iginla who's true leadership skills have been on display during this frustrating season has been stellar with 13 goals and 15 points in 12 games. When asked about the teams struggles the captain showed his optimistic side "look, we know we can do better and we're working at being better each and every game. We've been in most games and if we can continue to progress we may just hit our stride dome play off time"
If only this team had 6 more Iginla's.
Goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff has been nothing short of amazing. With his team desperately focused on being aggressive offensively or being shorthanded taking silly penalties Kip has faced more rubber then a hooker at a condom convention. He's faced an astounding 502 shots on net in 11 games, Boys and girls thats an average of 46 shots per game!! Its no wonder this goalie has been spending more time in the trainers room the the practice ice. The only more ice Mikka needs is one you'd put in a glass......pour this poor guy a drink!
The Flames have the last third of the season left and the play offs will be on us whether we deserve it or not. The the Sabres looming as the first round match up there are some real problems that this team has to work on.
1. Play better defensively, and stop giving up so many shots
2. STOP taking needless stupid penalties!!
3. Calgary forwards have to help Iginla, as great as he is Amonte, Tanguay, Yelle etc have to starting earning there paychecks
4. STOP taking needless stupid penalties!!
Sounds like we need a miracle but really if this team can focus and work hard at what they need to do, maybe just maybe they can finish this forgettable season positively.
Rumors of my former teammate Lanny McDonald taking over as coach of this team has given this team some urgency to try and save coach Jim Playfair's but chances are his job may already be gone unless the Flames run the table and have some success in the play offs.
The thing to watch is the effort and pride in this teams next games. Does this team have what takes to get better?? We shall all see very soon.
