Disappointing start for Flames fans, who think home team can do better

It hasn’t been a great start to the Flames’ opening round Stanley Cup Playoff series with the Anaheim Ducks, as they find themselves down two games to none before heading home for Games 3 and 4.

The team lost both games in close 3-2 decisions, but penalties and some unfortunate bounces have cost them. A prime example was Flames defenceman Dougie Hamilton taking a late holding the stick penalty in Game 2, leading to a power play goal from Ryan Getzlaf, which stood up as the winner. Callers to our sister station Sportsnet 960 The Fan said there needs to be more discipline.

“You can’t really let the ref make the call there,” said one fan. “That was kind of what frustrated me from him. Because at first I was angry, then I looked at the replay, and it’s like, he’s clearly holding his stick.”

“This series should be 1-1, I mean the Flames have played that well,” said another caller. “The gap has definitely been close, especially five-on-five, so it would be a shame if this didn’t go to six or seven games.”

Callers into the show said players such as Alex Chiasson and Troy Brouwer need to make a difference.

“You know it’s that time of the year, you either step up or not. You can step up and contribute or you can just play on the perimeter. That’s just the way I see it.”

Overtime Host Pat Steinberg said with the way the Flames have played five-on-five, they’ve actually been right there with the Ducks.

“The bounces are uncontrollable, Flames can’t control them, Ducks can’t control them, you can’t control them, I can’t control them. But if you keep on playing that way, you put yourself in a position, so if the bounces do go your way, it ends up being a big thing and you capitalize in a game,” he said.

The Flames will try to right the ship on Monday in Game 3 at 8 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.