CBC-Sports

Flames have all the answers

December 4, 2009 02:10 PM | Posted by   Kevin Weekes  

At the start of the season there were almost as many questions about the Calgary Flames as there were answers.

How was Brent Sutter going take a team that had little, if any, structure and systems and make it better? What about Jarome Iginla having another one of his notoriously slow Octobers? How come Olli Jokinen hasn't found a comfort level on the ice as a Flame? Can Miikka Kiprusoff a.k.a. ' Kipper' play almost 80 games? There's no proven backup.

OK folks, how about some answers?

First, this is Brent Sutter's team. From Day 1, he demanded team defence and team offence, good work habits and attention to detail in practice and in games. His team mentality has rubbed off as the Flames have showed a balanced attack and positive energy on and off the ice.

Under Sutter’s guidance, the Flames have adopted the attitude that it doesn't matter when or where they play, they bring that team game (hence their terrific road and home records).

Iginla back to playing 'his' game

Iginla has defrosted and is now playing at a scorching 30-degree heat level.

Playing with Mike Cammalleri last season, Iginla realized he didn't always have to be the sniper because Cammalleri is also a dead-eye shooter, and the addition of Olli Jokinen meant Iginla could tailor his game by becoming more of a passer. But in November, the light went on and Jarome started shooting off the wing, playing hard down low and bulling his way to the net. In doing so, he returned to the formula that has made him one of the best players in the league.

Jokinen has always been a shooter but he knows Iginla is THE man in Calgary and as a result, he was deferring and passing, particularly to his captain.

Jokinen was finding it tough to find a balance between playing 'his' game and the game he needs to play as a Flame, and judging by his play in the last 10 games, he seems close to that balance.

Kiprusoff has been fantastic since the start of the season. He's more dynamic and he's back to reacting and competing for pucks. At times last season, he was butterflying, but not reacting. I'm sure the lack of team defence in front of him had him playing much more tentative.

McElhinney gaining confidence

Virtually every Flames game, Kipper has worn his Superman cape and has been their best player. For me, he’s one of my personal leaders for the Vezina trophy so far this season.

Through hard work and mental toughness, backup Curtis McElhinney now has some confidence, starting with a 40-save show he put on versus Dallas and continuing with the shootout victory versus the Blue Jackets last Saturday.

This is one of the toughest positions in sports and by all accounts, he's worked hard on and off the ice, has an excellent attitude and has earned the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff. This should translate into more starts for him and nice breaks for Kipper.

Calgary is a full and balanced team with good depth and they're hard to play against.

For now, these are my answers regarding the Flames because quite honestly, I don't have questions about them.

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