'We have to be more desperate, we have to compete harder, and we have to understand what our identity is and we have to start playing to it.” Geoff Ward's frustration level was befitting of the NHLFlames’ current three-game slide. (EricFrancis)
Earlier in the day he spoke of the importance of the players taking over the room at this time of year – showing initiative, heart and a hatred for losing.
Not here, he suggests. Not for awhile. And, he adds, it isn’t a malaise that came about just because captain Mark Giordano missed his first game with his hamstring injury. “I mean, we’ve played stretches where we’ve been good. But, consistently, these are the things at playoff time that you have to pay attention to all of the time. You guys tell me. Look at teams that go on long playoff runs. What stands out about them? We have a decision to make as a team — are we prepared to do it? Because if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to get more of the same. That’s the bottom line.
From there the Flames did well to make Juuse Saros look like Vladislav Tretiak, sending the bulk of their 39 shots on him from the perimeter – a theme of late.“There’s a lot of things in a hockey game that need to be done. But just do things that make a difference. You want to be an uncommon player at this time of the year? Do the things that everybody can do, but a lot of people don’t want to do. Block a shot. Take a hit to make a play. Get to the front of the net.
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