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The Boys Are Feeling Good, So Let's Get It Done! #NeverQuit |
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The Calgary Flames will have their second chance at sending the Vancouver Canucks home for the summer as they take to the ice for their 6th game of the series.
The last game which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Canucks on Thursday night wasn’t one of the better bouts for the Flames who have offered some strong and consistent so far this season; and while it wasn’t a bad game either, Calgary will need to step it up a notch to seal their 2nd round fate.
''It's hard to close out a series,'' Ryan Miller offered after Friday's practice. ''I've been in those situations and you do let doubt get into your mind sometimes. Our job is to keep reinforcing that and keep reminding them we are a good team and they are going to have to beat us.''
This is where many feel that the experience of the Vancouver Canucks will come into play as the Flames look to close out the series, however it doesn’t appear that any of the players, coaches, or even fans are overly worried.
''We had to win one out of two and we took care of business,'' Hartley said. ''We took care of the defending Stanley Cup champions right in our barn in front of our fans and we did it.
''Tomorrow, it's exactly the same challenge and we believe in ourselves. I like our players' demeanor.''
I feel that the game’s decision will rest on the shoulders of netminder Jonas Hiller who has been rather spectaculars for the team throughout this series. Scoring goals and controlling the play is one thing, but when your goalie is also able to rob the opposition from time to time, it certainly lifts the emotions of your own players and gives them the chance to turn the play in their own favour.
And if anyone knows how to scout the oppositions goalie, it would be your own as Hiller has studied both Miller and Lack over the course of the season. Moreover, if there’s anyone who wants to play the Ducks in the 2nd round, you’ve got to think the Hiller is motivated. Tonight we will see Miller in net again and the team will need to get pucks on net while players like Bennett will need to continue to crash the net as he’s had success doing.
''[Miller] plays a little more active game, a little more reactive in the net, whereas Eddie is a little calmer, but I don't think we challenged him enough last night by driving the net and getting in front of him,'' Hiller said. ''They blocked a lot of shots that didn't make it to the net.
''If you want to score in this league, it's not always going to be pretty. You have to work for it, put pucks on net and drive the net and I think we were a little too cute last night.''
As has been the case throughout most of the season, the Flames will need to hit the ground running with a full head of steam. The Canucks are determined to push this series to seven games and Calgary has the chance in front of a home crowd to shut them up for good.
Hiller was spot on – the team will need to play a strong grinding game and avoid being too cute. Getting puck to the net and moving their feet is what will ultimately secure their fate tonight as the Canucks will likely look to avoid playing a dirty game as they look to rely on finesse.
"We've got to be the guys that kind of take charge and step up so it's going to be a big test for us and we're looking forward to that," Monahan said. "We've got to shoot more. We've been trying to pass the puck too much."
Backlund, who guaranteed a game five win just the other day offers that while he felt confident about his team’s chances, they ultimately could’nt get the job done and the will (need) to finish things tonight, if not the shear sake of winning at home for the fans.
"That's the mindset we've got to have," he said Friday. "I didn't guarantee anything. There's no guarantees in life so why would I guarantee something?
"We're just going (to) enjoy tomorrow and come out flying. At the start of the series, if we knew we were going to come back home three-two, we would take it. Even though we lost yesterday, we're all feeling good about ourselves."
Good luck tonight boys and thanks for reading!!