T1B

Well here it is. The only Game 7 of the first round. Fitting I suppose, since the Flames-Ducks series has probably been the most evenly played of all the series'.

Anyway, as mentioned in the other thread, I managed to snag a pair of the finest seats available in the Saddledome for this game, so I'm looking forward to that.

But the joy ends there. I couldn't sleep last night, my stomach is in knots, and I can't concentrate on work today. Maybe I take my Flames too seriously, but no point on dwelling on that now... today can't go by fast enough.

As for the game itself, the series pattern has been W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L, so one might expect the next letter in the series to be a W. After witnessing an identical pattern in the last Stanley Cup Finals, I won't be too quick to say that's how it'll go. But at least the Flames have this one at home. They've played hard and won games all year to win their division and get to this point, where they get home ice in Game 7. That's about the only edge I give the Flames.

The rest of the series has been a dead heat.

Kiprusoff has been ordinary at times, and Bryzgalov has been far superior to Giguere. Not sure who Randy Carlyle figures he's kidding when he says he doesn't know who he's gonna start tonight.

At times the good Niedermayer has dominated games, and at others, Iginla has absolutely owned him.

Early in the series, the Ducks' young guys played important roles, expectedly, they've faded a bit late in the series.

The Flames have had very little goal support from the bottom lines. McCarty has been good, but outside of Iginla and Huselius, offense has been scarce.

Not sure what to expect tonight, but here's hoping the fans take care of what they can control and get behind the team and make that building hostile.

GO FLAMES!!!!

I'm so anxious for this game to start that I can barely stand it. It was bad enough in '04, but now that the Flames are expected to do well it's painful to see them in a game 7. I'm counting on the Sea Of Red doing its job.


Go Flames Go!

I have been nervous all day...

The Flames just like to play heartattack hockey.... and for us fans it is torture.

I seriously hope you guys do win tonight since the Sharks have been playing far better than you guys and I don't wanna play them.

Tonight will the first I'll sit and watch a game in that series from start to finish. I don't know who I favor in this one...my usual rule with Game 7 is favor the home team, the team with the better goalie and/or the team that won Game 6. Calgary wins two of those three categories so I'll favor them. Kiprusoff hasn't had that one superhuman game yet...I've got a feeling we'll see that tonight and the Flames will move on to face the Oilers in the Western semis.

Cicatrix wrote:I seriously hope you guys do win tonight since the Sharks have been playing far better than you guys and I don't wanna play them.

We'll have to play the sharks in the third round anyway, so why not bite the bullet and get it over with sooner than later. Especially since the alternative is cheering for a Calgary team to win which is wong in and of it self, but even worse when they have owned us this year.

The Sharks are better than the flames, but the consequence of losing to the Flames is far, far worse.

So Go Ducks Go!!!!

Good Homer: Flames win and they have to call out the Riot SquaEERRRRRRR.....I mean, The Public Safety Division on 17th Ave. for the battle of Alberta.



Evil Homer: Ducks win. Let the Great Calgary De-Flagging begin!!!!!!






I am Evil Homer. I am Evil Homer.

That might be all Anaheim needed. Calgary looks like they're asleep.

Rack all of the top seeds in the west getting punked.

JD

How much did you pay for those seats?


Damn.

Looks like the Flames really do miss Conroy! All the top seeds out, can't recall that happening under the current playoff format.

I don't have much to say. As much as I hate the Ducks this team has earned my respect.

I guess I'll be cheering for the Sharks.

Cicatrix wrote:JD

How much did you pay for those seats?


Damn.

I actually didn't pay anything after selling my season seats. But you didn't have to sit as close as I was to see the Flames deflate after Selanne put that puck behind Kipper.

Cross Traffic wrote:Looks like the Flames really do miss Conroy! All the top seeds out, can't recall that happening under the current playoff format.

Riiiiighht. Pretty sure Conroy was far from the difference between winning and losing that one. Daymond Langkow is just fine. It's the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines that made the difference here. No pressure from anyone but Iginla and company. And even that was spotty at best.

The Sharks have just gained half a province worth of fans.

And the Ducks have certainly earned my respect too. They played tough and strong. They did exactly what Tampa Bay did to the Flames 2 years ago.... beat them at their own game.

Life's a bitch, and then you re-tool. Get to work, Mr. Sutter.

SIGH :(

umm.... Go SENS Go.... i quess..

JD wrote:The Sharks have just gained half a province worth of fans.

What a boring game. II figured that the Flames would be flying at home with 20 minutes of season left. What happened to the fans? I mean seriously booing in the 2nd donw 1-0??? Way to inspire you team.


JD - I respect the fact that you won't be boarding the Oilers bandwagon. I took soo much shit in 04 because I stuck to my ABCs (anybody but Calgary). I can't wait to go into work this morning, I'm not going to say a thing, I just want to see how many people swing by my office atfer trash talking how the Flames were going to beat the Oielrs in 3 ha ha ha... err you gotta make it to the second round first.

The top 3 contenders in the West are out after one round...I think any of the remaining 4 can make it to the finals. Shocking to see the Flames look flat at home in a Game 7. Props to the Ducks on that big win...two consecutive series for Calgary where they lead 3-2 and then lose Game 6 and Game 7 back-to-back. Ouch...

Joey Moss wrote:What happened to the fans? I mean seriously booing in the 2nd donw 1-0??? Way to inspire you team.

We were pissed off! The Flames were in a desperate situation and they showed absolutely no desire to win, and for at least the 5th powerplay in a row they were just dumping it in from the red line with no forecheckers to get the puck.

It's sad to say this, but the Flames would've been better off as an 8th seed, playing the tired, old Wings. Although, at this point I'm not sure they would've bothered to show up against them either.

Donovan wrote:It's sad to say this, but the Flames would've been better off as an 8th seed, playing the tired, old Wings.

Why ya gotta go and say something like that...

Joey Moss wrote:What happened to the fans? I mean seriously booing in the 2nd donw 1-0??? Way to inspire you team.

Uh, Oiler fans were doing the exact same thing in the 2nd period of your Game 6. The only difference between those games were that the Oilers decided to play in the 3rd period. When the Flames got thwarted in their initial flurry in the 3rd period, that seemed to be enough to convince them that they had no chance to win.

JD

I know what will cheer you up.

Fill a pillow case full of blue and silver streamers. Tie it your ceiling then yank on a string to release them all. Run around screaming and yelling in the streamers. You will feel better.

I know this will work because three days ago we did it up here and it cheered us all up real good.


Enjoy.

So it turns out that Phaneuf had a broken foot. Sustained in the last game of the season.

Sutter called him out in the press after the first 2 games. Take it easy, coach.