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The losses are one factor.
However one other defeat wasn’t what was bothering MacKenzie Weegar on Tuesday night time.
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It was the efficiency that the Calgary Flames put out towards the Anaheim Geese.
Shedding’s all the time going to harm, but it surely’s typically rather less painful for a group in the event that they performed the way in which they got down to.
And on Tuesday night time, the Flames fell properly wanting the usual they’re making an attempt to set of their ultimate stretch of video games this season. Head coach Ryan Huska referred to as it “terrible.” Captain Mikael Backlund minimize a pissed off determine as he spoke with the media post-game.
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And Weegar admitted that he couldn’t fairly wrap his head across the Flames’ effort on the Saddledome.
“For the rest of the yr we simply have to bounce again and begin taking part in for each other,” the defenceman stated. “I don’t care if we lose the following eight video games, (we have to) come to battle and work for one another.”
It’s exhausting to not really feel a little bit bit unhealthy for the Flames veterans who’re grinding by this difficult season.
They’ve been out of playoff rivalry for some time now and have seen a few of their most essential gamers traded away in-season in order that the group may keep away from shedding them for nothing in free company.
For essentially the most half, although, they’ve continued to work their tails off and there doesn’t appear to be the identical darkness surrounding the locker-room that was plain for anyone to see in direction of the tip of final season.
However there may be frustration, and it’s not completely concerning the outcomes.
The Flames have misplaced 9 of their final 12 video games, but it surely’s the inconsistency that actually grates on the gamers.
How may they exit and play considered one of their higher video games of the season on Saturday night time towards the playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings after which fall so flat towards the going-nowhere Geese three nights later?
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“We simply did it to a playoff group final recreation. I don’t know why it simply flipped so rapidly like that. It’s bizarre and I don’t get it,” Weegar stated. “I believe once we play our greatest, we’re structured. We execute the fitting manner.
“As a ahead and even as a d-man, in the event you do see there’s a chance to discover a breakaway or stretch the zone a bit, make these D again off, in fact you may take a web page out of that. However for essentially the most half, for 60 minutes you need to play that structured hockey.”
That’s going to be one of many focuses between now and April 18, when the Flames wrap up their common season towards the San Jose Sharks.
They do, in fact, need to win a few of their remaining eight video games, however there was fixed dialog about setting requirements and holding everybody to them, even when the playoffs are now not a chance.
What are these requirements? Properly, being ready for puck-drop and placing within the exhausting work for a full 60 minutes are fairly excessive on the checklist of issues the Flames need to set up as a part of their id.
So whereas a meaningless Tuesday night time recreation towards one other non-playoff group actually isn’t all that essential within the grand scheme of issues, placing in a extra full effort issues to the Flames. It issues quite a bit.
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“All we are able to management is our efficiency and the way we method video games and the way we play,” Backlund stated. “If we play the fitting manner and play exhausting, the outcomes are going to come back, however all we are able to concentrate on is how we method video games and the way we carry out.”
And that’s precisely what the Flames do on Wednesday once they return to the follow ice earlier than a fast journey to Winnipeg for a recreation towards the Jets on Thursday night time. They’ve bought a Battle of Alberta on the Saddledome on Saturday and if there’s any recreation you’d anticipate it will be simple to stand up for, it’s one with the Edmonton Oilers.
After which, they’ll have half-a-dozen video games earlier than the beginning of a protracted summer time.
None of these matchups will rely for something within the playoff race, however the Flames nonetheless swear there are issues they’ll accomplish. Particularly, they’ll begin establishing a tradition the place everybody is ready to work relentlessly for the man sitting within the stall subsequent to them within the lockerroom.
“I imply, we’re simply rivals on the finish of the day,” Weegar stated. “I discover motivation day by day to come back play the best recreation on this planet, you don’t take that as a right right here. I don’t assume anyone does.
“It’s these issues that hold you coming again to the rink and desirous to play your finest, it’s for the following man beside you. We’ve come to this point, so many relationships have been constructed this season, and it’s that keenness you convey to the rink day by day.”
daustin@postmedia.com
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