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In some methods, it was a aim that might virtually function a template for what the Calgary Flames have to do.
They obtained the puck deep after which Connor Zary recovered it. He handed it to Nazem Kadri, who cycled it again to MacKenzie Weegar.
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From there, Weegar fired the puck in the direction of the Chicago Blackhawks internet, the place it snuck by way of a display screen and located its manner throughout the goal-line.
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It was nothing fairly. It received’t present up on any end-of-season spotlight packages.
Nevertheless it was a aim.
And people have been exhausting to return by for the Flames lately.
“It’s a easy recreation on the finish of the day,” Weegar informed reporters in Chicago post-game. “You get pucks deep, you forecheck the D exhausting, you get the puck again to the purpose, get a display screen in entrance of internet and it’s only a shot on internet. It’s nothing particular.
“We have to get again to taking part in easy hockey and getting our work ethic we’ve obtained to play for one another, with a ‘What have you ever executed for me currently?’ mentality. Guys have to start out taking this chance and (operating ) with it.”
Ultimately, Weegar’s aim wasn’t sufficient for the Flames to beat the three-goal gap they dug themselves in opposition to the lowly Blackhawks. They’d wind up dropping 3-1 and now discover themselves 15 factors again of the Vegas Golden Knights, who’re sitting within the Western Convention’s second wildcard spot after dropping in additional time to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday evening.
The playoffs aren’t occurring for these Flames, however that doesn’t imply they need to be dropping each recreation.
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They usually weren’t pleased with the way in which they performed in opposition to the Blackhawks.
The group’s efficiency obtained higher as the sport went on, however they have been down 2-0 after the primary interval and by no means recovered.
“I didn’t like our first interval, I don’t assume we have been linked in any respect,” stated Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “We had defencemen and forwards not on the identical web page with how we needed to play. Second and third we obtained higher, however I don’t like the way in which we began the sport tonight.”
The Flames have now misplaced 4 straight video games and 7 of their final 9 contests. In these most up-to-date 4 losses, they’ve managed to attain solely six targets.
Step one in the direction of getting again on observe might be scoring lightning the lamp with extra regularity. That’s simpler to jot down than it’s to do, in fact, and might be oversimplifying issues a bit.
However making issues easy is strictly what the Flames are aiming to do proper now.
Weegar talked about taking part in “easy hockey” and Flames captain Mikael Backlund spoke about a lot the identical factor when he was requested by reporters in Chicago about how the Flames might repair what’s ailing them.
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“I feel we’ve obtained to do the little issues proper all around the ice and in case you do that you just’re going to get rewarded,” Backlund stated. “That’s how this league works, you’ve obtained to do the little issues if you wish to get the offensive seems, and then you definitely’ve obtained to bury them once you get your possibilities.”
The Flames have 11 video games left this season, beginning with Thursday evening in St. Louis in opposition to the Blues.
Nothing about this marketing campaign has been simple. Vital veterans have been traded away and there’s been adversity seemingly at each flip.
However there’s nonetheless pleasure within the room. They’d wish to win a number of of those remaining video games, and step one in the direction of doing that’s going to be scoring extra targets.
“It’s been troublesome for us to attain proper now, however when issues are powerful you’ve gotta get in there and work on your targets,” Weegar informed reporters in Chicago. “You’ll be able to’t simply stand round and anticipate the puck to return to you otherwise you’re hoping to get a breakaway or what-not. You’ve obtained to get greasy and work for it.”
daustin@postmedia.com
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