Post Game Poutine

 Aydar Suniev NHL Debut: What To Watch For Photo Credit: Calgary Flames     In antipaction of Aydar Suniev making his Calgary Flames debut tonight against the Los Angeles Kings lets give a quick rundown of the player and what to watch for in his first pro hockey game.  Aydar Suniev  Born: Nov. 16, 2004 (20yrs old) ~ Kazan, Russia Height: 6'2" ~ Weight: 198lbs  Drafted: 2023 ~ Round 3 ~ Pick #80 by Calgary Flame     The evaluation on Suniev from Elite Prosepcts leading up to the 2023 draft   described him as:  "a crafty playmaking-type forward. A manipulator when he grabs retrievals, it's not uncommon to see Suniev create deception with his feet, sending players flying. He opens his hips, to make lateral pushes to the inside or slip pressure, and his puck protection ability, particularly how he shields the puck and keeps his balance, makes him a monster along the boards"     Earlier this year Scott Wheeler in The Athletic r...

 Post Game Platter: Game 81 Flames vs Golden Knights Photo Credit: Calgary Flames     A long season of highs and lows is almost to an end, but any chance at a playoff berth has now been snuffed out officially for the Calgary Flames. A heartbreaking last second goal for the Minnesota Wild clinched their spot in the playoffs and a blowout win by the St. Louis Blues secured the final wildcard spot eliminating the Flames while they were in action against the Golden Knights.      The Flames did not show well through the first two periods going down 3-1 to the Golden Knights through 40 minutes. Credit to the team for not giving up in the third even after learning of their playoff elimination at the intermission. Two quick goals to tie it up early and then the teams traded goals before heading to overtime where Dustin Wolf held the fort with a number of fantastic saves to keep the Flames before Morgan Frost secured the victory in the shootout.  Thoughts on th...

 Post Game Platter: Game 80 Flames vs Sharks  Credit: Calgary Flames         The Calgary Flames this season are the definition of the cat who came back and just couldn't stay away. This is by no means a perfect team, they have warts and don't excel in any one area, except for goaltending which is the main reason this team is still alive and in a playoff hunt. Their latest must win game against the San Jose Sharks featured a classic slow start, brilliant play by Dustin Wolf to keep the team in it and then an excellent third period to close out a huge win. Will the Flames have a chance to control their destiny following Tuesday's game against Vegas, we will have to see.      Thoughts from the Sharks game:  An awful start was not what anyone wanted to see with the Flames season on the line, going down 1-0 in the first three and a half minutes while allowing 15 shot attempts against and not recording a single shot attempt themselves.  D...

Flames Path To The Playoffs  After a massive win against the Minnesota Wild last night the Calgary Flames are still alive fighting for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (even if those chances are still on life support).  With 3 games remaining for the Flames in the 2024-25 season the path to the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference is quite narrow and hinges on the Minnesota Wild and St Louis Blues who are both in action Saturday night.  Path #1 - Catch the Minnesota Wild  Credit: Ryan Pike  With 2 games remaining against the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, the Minnesota Wild control their own destiny, win both games and they are guaranteed to be in. If they go 1-1 in their final 2 games the Flames would have a chance but would need to win all 3 of their remaining games. If they lose both games the Flames could get in by going 2-1.  Path #2 - Catch the St Louis Blues  Credit: Ryan Pike  Ess...

Post Game Platter: Game 79 Flames vs Wild