Since I am so far behind on blog posts and these past few weeks have been filled with oustanding excitement, I'm going to be writing a few seperate blogs today. I have devoted most of my weekend to hockey and will finish it off by catching up with my Jersey Journal! Where to begin...
Let's talk about my favourite Flame and highlight this particular post with lovely stats, predictions, changes around the dressing room and upstairs, and speculations as to why and how the Calgary Flames have made such a drastic improvement with very little movement amongst the roster. Firstly, my main man Mr. Craig Conroy was put on waivers January 25th and was given the weekend to mull over a possible position in the minors, the chance that another franchise would pick him up for what remains of his contract with Calgary, or what he was personally leaning towards; retirement. Since he was a healthy scratch for more than 25 games (I believe the exact number was 28?), there was certainly question as to whether or not he would play again this season or beyond anyhow. At the end of the 2009-10 season I was sure that he would retire and move on to broadcasting and leave his skates behind, so being able to play as many games as he did this season was really nice to see. We all are very well aware of Connie's uncanny ability to woo an audience of media - so it wasn't a worry that Craig would disappear after hanging up his jersey for the last time. He would be a part of the NHL in some fashion, but where?
After a weekend in Banff to relax and make a crucial and fateful decision, he returned to announce his retirement and was offered an amazing opportunity that I can't say I even saw coming. Craig Conroy now sits next to Jay feaster as his assistant, and what's even more exciting for Calgary fans, players, and the entire Franchise alike - is that on CC's first day on the job Jay Feaster was sick and unable to make the game, leaving Craig Conroy acting General manager! What a wildly outrageous night that must have been - in his own house, a standing ovation from the C of Red, and a team so proud to have him watching over them. I would never have thought in a million years that Craig's first order of business after retirement would be to move to such an important position. That being said, there is no doubt in my mind he won't do an amazing job with a franchise he knows and loves, inside and out.
Speaking of change, where has all of this determination and stamina come from? It has been an amazing two months if you're a part of the Flames franchise or fan following! We started off 2011 on the right foot and haven't looked back since. Having played 23 games so far this year we have accumulated points in 19 games with a record of 14-4-5. That is light years away from the team we left behind in 2010! Since Darryl was asked to step down from his position as GM, there has been little reason to question the motive behind King's decision making. Although we do have to keep in mind that this is still the team Darryl built, I beg to question why these same players look completely different now that he is gone AND is it just a simple coincidence?
Jay Feaster said that one of his first orders of business would be to add a little bit of fun in the dressing room and set the boys at ease before gametime. There would be music in the locker rooms and he would make an appearance after every game, win or lose. Making an effort to be as big a part of the game as his players, coaching and training staff is a huge step in the right direction and I think it shows. A 7 game winning streak hasn't been seen by the Flames in a long time, nor has the improved attitude and chemistry we fans are seeing on the ice and even on the bench. I have a newspaper clip from January of Brent Sutter SMILING. Jay's plan seems to be making more than just a success with Calgary's roster, and what a success that has been. In early January, Calgary was faced with a gruesome 14th place in the Western Conference only 2nd last to the Edmonton Oilers. As it stands now, we claim 6th spot, two points ahead of 5th place (having played 2 more games), and 2nd in our division - although catching stride with Vancouver could be a bit of a task for that claim as they are first in the entire league.
I don't think anyone needs to see Calgary in 1st place, that isn't where we are at right now in this league. This is a time for perserverance and determination. A friend of mine and I were texting back and forth today and I couldn't have said it better myself. He said (as a Canucks fan), "If '94 taught me anything you just need a ticket to the dance and a hot goalie and you go far...", and although that might not win you a Stanley Cup - anything can happen in the playoffs, so it's the getting there that is the most important part right now. I couldn't care less if we are 1st in the league or in the final spot for first round, as long as we get there. It is such a tough race right now and most likely will be until the final game in April. If we can keep our heads held high and play the way we have been, I see no one getting in our way of another epic playoff run.
I have said this a few times: "Wouldn't it be awesome if we won the Stanley Cup the year Darryl Sutter steps down?". Now that it is a few weeks later and I have witnessed our reach to allow us to climb this high, I thought I would put my money where my mouth is. I knew someone going to Las Vegas this past saturday, so on Friday night I handed him $50, which he will hand over at Caesar's Palace to place on The Calgary Flames to win the Stanley Cup this season. It's definitely a ballsy move, I know. However, I have a lot of faith, now more than ever - that we are playoff contenders! We're the hottest team in the league and that hasn't changed in two months. We haven't let our guard down in the third period, like we've been used to seeing most of this season. We aren't watching the time tick down, even if we're up by a few goals - we score some more! It would be a pretty amazing year all around if it came down to the final round for us. What an upset that would be! What an amazing year it would be! First, a complete 180, hosting the NHL 2011 Heritage Classic, making the playoffs, and winning the Cup! I don`t usually like to get ahead of myself - but Calgary has shown that we are not stepping down and we are not giving up! I cannot wait to see what happens in the next month and a half!
Keep those points coming, boys! 21 games to go!
GO FLAMES GO!!!
T
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