Todd Cordell: Ducks 3, Flames 2: Five observations from an undeserved loss in Anaheim

That 2nd was pond hockey last night. Both teams missing wide open chances. The Flames are more than willing to just trade chances, which is kinda scary considering how many offensively gifted players they have.

Both Ducks goalies will keep them in the race all year.

Hey Refs take a minute to actually see a play before gifting the Flames a goal on that Phantom trip the lead to Cal 1st score.

Smith is terrible. No wonder Neal ripped into him earlier, can't win forever with that type of netminding. Give Rittich the job already!

That 2nd was pond hockey last night. Both teams missing wide open chances. The Flames are more than willing to just trade chances, which is kinda scary considering how many offensively gifted players they have.

Both Ducks goalies will keep them in the race all year.

Hey Refs take a minute to actually see a play before gifting the Flames a goal on that Phantom trip the lead to Cal 1st score.
- dozerD10

It was a fun one to watch

Smith is terrible. No wonder Neal ripped into him earlier, can't win forever with that type of netminding. Give Rittich the job already!
- Misterbator

Give Rittich more starts anyway. Hopefully Smith can get it together soon. I'm just glad he's not signed past this year. Presumably, BT will have to go out yet again and get a goalie. This time, I hope he tries for someone 10 years younger. Not sure who's out there but going after aging vets who other teams are ready to part with is not the answer.

Welcome to our goaltending world

Welcome to our goaltending world
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I compare our post Kipper era to your post Hextall era often with friends.

I just hope that we don't end up wasting what could be a really good season because of the goaltending issues. Rittich has a real chance here to prove he should be the guy in his next start imo. Trading for a goalie will cost Calgary an insane amount.

I get why analytical guys like Todd don't like adding the tough guy in the lineup but there are actually some benefits to it. The other 11 forwards all get more ice time (which is good for morale etc) and you have a tough guy to protect your players with the ever present threat of good bludgeoning. Yea he gets 4-5m of ice time and he doesnt get in every game but he does provide value. Look at Kyle Dubas, he was an analytical guy but now being the guy in TO he puts a little more weight into the *intangibles*.

Welcome to our goaltending world
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

It's hard to imagine, but Brian Elliott was playing even worse than Smith at this point in the season when we had him.

He was pretty much perma-benched after getting his confidence completely blown.

Smith is probably gone if he can't find his confidence/get fully healthy. I say give him the Elliott and sit him 2 weeks. Although for Elliott it was like a month lol.

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.

It's hard to imagine, but Brian Elliott was playing even worse than Smith at this point in the season when we had him.

He was pretty much perma-benched after getting his confidence completely blown.

Smith is probably gone if he can't find his confidence/get fully healthy. I say give him the Elliott and sit him 2 weeks. Although for Elliott it was like a month lol.
- fry

Yup. No offence to him but Peters needs to say"Mike, your game is really struggling & you need to get it sorted. We are going with Ritter as the starter & then we will ease you back in hopes of you getting to the level of goaltending we feel you can give us. Right now, sorry. Take some time, observe & watch films from when you were a .932 save percentage goaltender from early last year."

Sometimes these guys have to take a step back, make them hungry & crave the net back & he he may be instrumental when the games really become important. Just so sick of sub par goaltending. This team deserves better.

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90

Ooops, you are posting on the wrong thread buddy. Go post this on the Oiler thread.

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90

This is pretty rich coming from an Oiler fan dude :D We've seen our fair share of goalies come and go.

Get Rittich more starts, get Peluso/Hathaway out of the lineup. Contender status achieved

I get why analytical guys like Todd don't like adding the tough guy in the lineup but there are actually some benefits to it. The other 11 forwards all get more ice time (which is good for morale etc) and you have a tough guy to protect your players with the ever present threat of good bludgeoning. Yea he gets 4-5m of ice time and he doesnt get in every game but he does provide value. Look at Kyle Dubas, he was an analytical guy but now being the guy in TO he puts a little more weight into the *intangibles*.
- zipfel

Not a single point you made has any evidence at all.

Today @ 12:55 PM ET
"How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90"

Ooops, you are posting on the wrong thread buddy. Go post this on the Oiler thread.



Ryan and Smith are absolutely costing this team. As far as I know, Hathaway was actually hurt and that's why Peluso got in.

Ryan is totally useless out there. Neal is really slow, but effective in the offensive zone at times at least.

Smith really should only have one more shot to show he deserves more games (back to back coming up vs. LA/SJ). After that, Peters really needs to hand over #1 to Ridditch for awhile! This is already past ridiculous.

Not a single point you made has any evidence at all.
- FLAM3SFAN

Good for you, you can read. Maybe work on the understanding part

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90

Aside from the first couple games, the flames have been one of the top teams at suppressing shots with a low expected goals against. Smith on the other hand is one of the worst goalies in terms of expected goal differential.

Nice try though

Keep sticking to your single player team over there. Oil would love to have any one of our top-6 in their top pairing.

Smith would not be the first guy to have his career go downhill after an injury. Really hope I am wrong as I want the guy to succeed. But if the numbers show he is just not the same, maybe he is done. Which would suck.

Smith would not be the first guy to have his career go downhill after an injury. Really hope I am wrong as I want the guy to succeed. But if the numbers show he is just not the same, maybe he is done. Which would suck.
- DuranDuran

Well his agent was trying to get an extension conversation going with Tre & fortunately Tre said he would like to see how the year plays out. If it's an injury, then he needs to speak up & let Ritter take the reins until he is sure he can come back 100 fcking percent.

Smith would not be the first guy to have his career go downhill after an injury. Really hope I am wrong as I want the guy to succeed. But if the numbers show he is just not the same, maybe he is done. Which would suck.
- DuranDuran

Agreed. And to think it all started with less than 3 seconds left in the game (Islanders Feb 11). And Giordano went down against the Devils with less than a minute left in that game. Some kind of ugly coincidence for sure.

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90

Yes, Ramo, Hiller, Berra, Chad Johnson, Joey MacDonald, Ortio, Elliott all went on to stellar careers after leaving Calgary.

Yes, Ramo, Hiller, Berra, Chad Johnson, Joey MacDonald, Ortio, Elliott, Brent Krahn all went on to stellar careers after leaving Calgary.

fixed

How many goalies must you run out of town before you see that the real problem is your poor defensive play all around esp the forwards.
- oil90

Watch the highlights of our last game. You're talking out of your ass.

< prays to hockey gods > Please let Rittich take the next step.