What the Calgary Flames lack in elite skill and talent they more than make up for in heart, grit and character. Or better yet, as team President Brian Burke likes to say, the Flames play with a “truculence” that has put them into the thick of the Pacific Division and Western Conference playoff races. To say that Calgary is the surprise team of the NHL would be an understatement. And yet as many wait for the proverbial shoe to drop the Flames simply keep on winning and with no signs of slowing down.
Greater than the Sum of their Parts
Calgary was in third place in the Pacific Division just five points behind Anaheim in what is considered to be the best division in hockey. The Flames led both the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks in the Pacific standings. How they did it remains the question. The answer is something that the new stats crowd continues to miss. Corsi and Fenwick are yet to develop a formula for a team culture of character and superior motivational coaching. And that is exactly where the Flames excel.
A team of the Hart-ley
The 54-year-old Bob Hartley has again proven to be a difference maker. Last year, with a roster that was completely over-matched he led the Flames to league wide respect based on their refusal to go down without a fight. Calgary may not have sniffed a playoff spot but did gain the reputation for being the “toughest out” in the NHL. It is often forgotten that Hartley won a Stanley Cup as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. What goes even more forgotten is that he was the only man to lead the Atlanta Thrashers to the playoffs during their failed existence in Georgia. Nobody is forgetting now, however, as Hartley is turning in what is arguably the best coaching job in the NHL.
Captain Calgary
Mark Giordano has emerged as one of the elite leaders in the game in his eighth season in the NHL. The defenseman led the Flames in scoring with seven goals and 21 assists with an impressive +17. Giordano is emblematic of the Flames in that he is a player of character and grit far more than skill. The fact that Hartley has turned Giordano and his defense partner TJ Brodie loose to join the offensive rush is a key factor in Calgary’s success and surprise ranking of fifth in the NHL for goal scoring. The Flames have not sacrificed the back check however as they ranked 11th for goals against.
“Teams are so good, structurally, with their systems, you won’t get any chances five on five unless you generate from the back end,” said Giordano. “You have to jump in. A second wave of offense is all that opens up on the rush most times. Most teams have that third back-checker coming hard, so you’re only creating if that defenseman comes in, if four guys are in the play.”
Hartley is enthusiastic about his blue liners joining the rush stating that, “If you only depend on the three forwards to score goals, sometimes, you make it tough. Those guys, our d-men, they’ve been huge for us.”
Brodie had six goals and 15 assist to help make the partnership with Giordano among the most feared and respected in the game. Another blue liner, Dennis Wideman, had 10 goals and seven assists.
Everyone Chips In
LW Jiri Hudler has been the top forward on Calgary with 11 goals and 15 assists but has hardly been alone in contributing to the Flames success. C Sean Monahan added 10 goals while C Josh Jooris lit the lamp eight times. Everyone in the lineup contributes in one way or another.
Calgary’s Culture
The ultimate difference is the Calgary culture. In an era in which small market Canadian teams struggle for success the Flames make no excuses. It is indeed that spirit of truculence that has set them apart from their Alberta arch rival Edmonton Oilers. The Flames have a serious look at ending their playoff drought the dates back to 2009.
