The Mike Rogers Blog

NO BRAINER-KIPRUSOFF FLAMES MVP

Mike Rogers — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:16:12 +0000

The Flames find themselves out of the playoffs for the third straight year but the one thing the team cannot put any blame on is their goaltender. Mikka Kiprusoff was the only reason this team was able to stay in the playoff hunt, and if not for his great goaltending, the Flames would probably be having a lottery pick in this years upcoming draft. If you look at his stats going into this game tonight, they don’t wow you but there are times stats do not tell the whole story, and this is definitely one of these times. He is 12th in goals against, tied for 11th in save percentage, tied for 13th in shutouts, and tied for 5th in wins. What the stats do not tell you is how many time Kiprusoff kept the Flames in games and how many times he stole a win for the team. Looking back over the season, I would say there were at least 10 games that he was the difference in winning and losing. Imagine what the Flames record would be if he hadn’t stood on his head in those games. Like the rest of the team, he did not play his best hockey coming down the stretch. I believe the reason was that he was tired, but maybe more frustrated and disappointed in his team not performing the way they needed to, something he would never admit. In closing, I would like to thank those who read my blog and I, along with you, hope that brighter days are ahead with the Calgary Flames. What an interesting time it is going to be for this organization.

PLAY FOR PRIDE

Mike Rogers — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:21:14 +0000

For the third straight year the Flames players end the season talking about playing for the logo on the front of the jersey and finishing strong for the home fans. Nice thing to hear, but it would be a lot better if the players were talking about playing well these last two games to get themselves ready for the playoffs. People will look back on this year and talk about the injuries, the losses to teams below them in the standings, the lack of consistancy, you can go on and on to look for excuses, but the bottom line is that the team failed to make the playoffs which means they were not good enough again. When you look at this group, the first thing that comes to mind is that they are too slow to be successful in todays NHL. So how do you get quicker? You get younger! And the way to get younger? You make changes by getting rid of players past their prime and bring in young, hungry players either through the minors or via trade. I believe the biggest problem with this team is that they are not strong enough mentally. Going into this meaningless game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Flames have won one game in their previous nine, which took them out of the playoff hunt. When the game is on the line, you have to be strong willed and do anything in your power to win these games. Too many of the players did not have the committment to do so, and that is why this team is where it is at. If you do not have a leadership group that puts it all out there, you will NOT be successful, and end up doing what the Flames are going to be doing shortly. Watching the playoffs on TV.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, BUT……………

Mike Rogers — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:35:53 +0000

Tonight the Flames host the Colorado Avalanche and whichever team loses is out of the playoff race. Maybe not mathematically, but the hill will be too steep to climb and too much would have to happen. I don’t concern myself with what is happening with the Avs, but for the Flames to have a glimmer of hope it starts tonight with their game against Colorado. If they win they must then defeat the Vancouver Canucks twice in a row and then finish off with an afternoon tilt with the Anaheim Ducks on the last day of the schedule. The Flames have to win these last four games which is tough in itself, but those two games against the Canucks, how do you win them both? Vancouver, even without Daniel Sedin has won four straight and seem to have their playoff game-face on, getting themselves ready for the postseason. Those two games will not mean anything if the Flames lose tonight, and if the Flames top players do not snap out of their funk, that is a very good possibility.

5 STRAIGHT LOSSES, 6 GOALS SCORED

Mike Rogers — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:53:34 +0000

The coaching staff of the Flames have, and still believe, that the success of the Flames is based on how well they play defensively. I believe it has shown in the past that this team is better when they look after their own end, but what has happened offensively to this team lately is puzzling. You are not going to win scoring one goal a game no matter how great Mikka Kiprusoff is, but the top guns of the Flames have gone silent at the worst time possible and I don’t think anyone really has an answer. I may have a couple for you and the first is where the shots are going. How many times have you seen on T.V. or heard Peter Maher remark that when the shot is taken that it hits the goalie in the logo in front of the jersey. You ask any goaltender in the league and they will tell you the easiest shot to save is the half way up the net. I have always wondered why the Flames do not keep the puck down or roof it when the opportunity is there. The second and most important is they are not working hard enough to get themselves in good shooting lanes. You watch Jerome Iginla when he is on a scoring tear. He tends to find open ice to let that pateneted one timer go, or when the puck is on his stick, he becomes one of the top power forwards and bulls his way to the net. When he is not scoring, watch how many times he stays along the boards in a stationary position. To0 easy to defend when you are not moving your feet. The Flames do not have a lot of secondary scoring so when your top snipers are struggling all at the same time, it almost becomes impossible to win. I will leave Mike Cammalleri 0ut of this as he has just returned from injury but in the last five games Jerome Iginla and Ollie Jokinene are pointless, Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay have no goals and one assist each. Pretty tough to win when your top four forward are going through a slump all at the same time.

STEMPNIAK RETURNS

Mike Rogers — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:49:29 +0000

Lee Stempniak returns to the Flames lineup tonight after missing the last 21 games to injury. By adding the veteran Stemniak to the roster, the Flames have alittle more balance in their forward lines and it allows Brent Sutter to do some line juggling. One difference we will see tonight is David Moss leaving ther second line and will now center the third line between Stempniak and Blake Comeau. I like the move of Moss to center has he gives the Flames more experience at the center ice position and also gives them a little more size down the middle. With the Flames going on the road for three games after their tilt with Columbus tonight, it is tough to win when you have two rookies at center. Roman Horak and Greg Nemisz have played as well as to be expected, but on the road the home team gets last change and you would have to think the opposing coaches would like to have their top lines out there as much as possible against these two players. And speaking of centermen, Ollie Jokinen needs to get back to playing the way he was a week ago. In the last three games he has been held pointless, is a minus three, and has to raise his energy level to help this team get into the playoffs. They say that to be successful in the NHL you need strength down the middle. If that is the case, the centermen for the Flames must be better down the stretch.

FLAMES RECIEVING LITTLE OR NO HELP

Mike Rogers — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:19:16 +0000

Brent Sutter has stated all along that there is only one thing you can control and that is the play of the team. The Flames have won four straight and are 5-1-1 in their last seven games and yet are still out of a playoff position and currently are in 10th spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for the Flames, the teams that they are competing with are also playing well and continue to find ways to win. I asked Brent Sutter about getting into the 8th place in the conference and he said it is never brought up. What he does tell his team is to continue winning and if they are able to do so, they’re not fighting for the last playoff spot but are bringing more teams into the mix and 6th place is a reality. I like that approach as too often we have seen this team get to where they want to be, only to become complacent and their play drops off. By not setting a goal of 8th spot, they can continue to forge ahead and if everything falls into place, could find themselves higher up in the standings come playoff time.

A GLIMPSE AT THE FUTURE NOW

Mike Rogers — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:02:00 +0000

When was the last time people got excited about a firsr round pick? It would have to be the 2003 draft when the Flames plucked Dion Phaneuf 9th overall from the Red Deer Rebels. That all changes tonight when the Flames host the Winnipeg Jets and insert their 2011 first round pick Sven Baertschi into the lineup. The scoring whiz from the Portland Winterhawks has collected 94 points in only 47 games and the Flames are hoping that scoring touch will continue tonight. It would be a great story if he did come in and light it up against the Jets, but that may be expecting way to much for a 19 year old making his NHL debut. What the Flames are hoping that he brings energy, speed and enthusiasm to the team, which I think is a more realistic goal. By everything I have heard, Baertschi has an abundance of talent and has great character which is the first step in becoming an NHL’er. Who knows what will happen tonight with Baertschi, but I know one thing for sure, the Flames have a player that someday will be the face of this team, if everything falls into place for him.

PRESSURE GETTING TO FLAMES?

Mike Rogers — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:56:48 +0000

The Flames have lost their last 5 home games, although they have managed to get 3 points in those contests, and are 1-3-3 in their last 7 games. After reaching eight spot in the standings, the Flames have not been the same team and you have to wonder if some of the players are having a tough time handling the pressure, especially the defencemen. Derek Smith, T.J. Bordie and Jay Boumeester have struggled the last 2 weeks and you have to think their lack of playoff experience is getting to them. I realize this is not the playoffs, but when you are fighting for your playoff lives, every game must be treated that way. Bouwmeester has never played a playoff game in either junior or the NHL, and you can see that he has not been able to elevate his play when needed most. As the Flames highest paid “D” man, he must begin to play at a higher level or he may miss out on the post season again. One player who has risen to the occasion is Jerome Iginla. The last three games have been his best of the year, and I believe it is because he is playing with an edge and does not want to miss out on the playoffs again. He is showing his leadership both on and off the ice, and has that attitude that the team can jump on his back and he will carry them. The Flames took another blow in the injury department as Mike Cammalleri has gone down with an upper body injury, a player counted on to be one of the leaders in the playoff drive. Lance Bouma is also out and has been playing very well in the physical side of the game and has given the Flames a spark at certain times of a game when needed. Injuries no doubt have hurt this club, but some players need to be better or the Flames could be bringing out the golf clubs on April 8th.

TRADE DAY NOT A HAPPY ONE

Mike Rogers — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:20:56 +0000

I was traded three times in my career but none at the trade deadline. Once was out of training camp, the other two during the season. But I can tell you firsthand, it is a nervous time for the players wether they are together at the morning skate or practice, at home or on the road with their teamates on trade deadline day. The huge majority of players do not want to be traded so if it happens, that player is devastated, and if that player thinks he is going to get any sympathy from his former team, forget it. This is how it goes. “Mike, you have been traded to the New York Rangers. This was not an easy decision, but we feel we have to move on as an organization and this trade was one we needed to make. We wish you the best of luck and thank you for the great job you did for us. Craig Patrick(The GM of the Rangers at the time) is on the phone and he wants to welcome you to the Rangers and he will make the arrangements for you to get to New York.” You step out of the office and you feel lost. Your teamates come up to you and wish you the best, which is the hardest part because you are saying goodbye to the best friends you have and are moving on to the unknown. You phone your wife, tell her you have been traded and you will be home to pick up some clothes and then be on you way to your new team. People don’t understand how tough that is for your spouse as she is left alone(I had one daughter at the time), and she has to either sell the house or find renters, then more times than not, join her husband in their new stop to find a new place to live leaving behind the great friends she has. You leave them behind, jump on a plane and are off to your new team. But once you step into that other dressing room it is amazing how easily you forget about your former team and how excited to be on a team that wants you. This is the way of life in professional sports and even though it is a great life, these are the times you wish never happened.

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

Mike Rogers — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:01:41 +0000

As that old Bobby McFerrin song goes, “Don’t worry, be happy.” The Flames have one point in the last two games and have dropped to 9th spot in the Western Conference standings, two points behind the Dallas Stars with a game in hand. With what has transpired over the last couple of games, it is like the world has come to an end and there is no chance of turning this thing in the right direction. I have been around this team a long time, and over the last few years I have never seen a team take losses so hard and not enjoy the wins when they come. I know you are not to accept losses, but you have to understand that you are not going to win every game and the next game is always the most important. What has everyone upset is the uninspired play against the Oilers and Coyotes, but that can easily be corrected by the players putting on their work boots and bringing a blue collar approach to every game. General Manager Jay Feaster has come down on his veteran players stating they are not giving enough. I know they have not been consistent enough in their play, and challenging them may be the right thing to do,but I am not convinced. This is a funny group and I am not sure what gets them inspired, but if this team is going to make the playoffs, it will fall on the shoulders of the leadership group. For a team that is not as skilled as many in the NHL, the Flames have gone 5-1-4 over their last ten games, a record I would think any team in the league would take. Not many expected big things form the Flames at the start of the year, and with the injuries they have suffered through, I give them kudos for remaining in the hunt.