SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Saturday, December 18, 1999
Easing elf doubt
Flames believe in putting playoffs on Christmas wish list
Some inebriated elf must've spiked the eggnog at their office Christmas party.
This con is more transparent than Marley's ghost. Visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads are one thing. But echoes of playoff drums?!
That isn't merely giddy and festive. It's ... madness.
Yet as the holiday season bears down upon us, the Flames have hitched their sleigh to Freddie Brathwaite and, like Rudolph, he's come in from the bullpen to get them airborne. Amazingly, they find themselves a scant five points out of the eighth and final playoff spot as practice wound down yesterday early afternoon.
"And,'' reminded goaltender Grant Fuhr, "five out of first in our division, the No. 3 seed in the conference and home-ice advantage.
"What,'' he wanted to know, "is the difference between us and Colorado'' --which led the Northwest at 34 points heading into Detroit last night -- "and us? Only the two games we played against them.''
This is, of course, a familiar pattern. In the three consecutive non-playoff seasons, the Flames were tied for the eighth and final Western playoff slot on Dec. 17, 1996; two points out on Dec. 17, 1997; and tied for eighth on Dec. 17, 1998.
Closer than right now.
So why should anybody be lulled into believing the customary suicide note won't be found on the body this coming spring?
"Well, No. 1 because our goaltending has solidified, with Freddie and Grant,'' answered the injured Steve Smith. "The last month, can you name me a better goalie in this league than Freddie?
"Plus, I think this year we've understood more quickly what type of team we are and the way we have to play to be successful.
"It's so tight right now. Vancouver dropped from third to ninth with one or two losses.''
The harrowing nine-in-10-on-the-road ordeal -- during which they gathered nine out of a possible 16 points -- has vaulted them into the thick of the hunt. Now, beginning with the Ottawa Senators tonight, they embark on five in a row at home.
"Almost every team above us right now hasn't experienced a dip, a flat spot, yet,'' said Fuhr. "We had ours right off the start.
"If we can avoid another one, there's no reason we can't finish in the top four or five (in the conference). I've been on a lot of teams before that weren't as good as this one, and made the playoffs.''
So what will be enough come April 8? Give us a score you'd post right now and happily wait in the clubhouse for the rest of the field to shoot at?
"I'd say, oh, 90 points will be safe,'' replied Fuhr. "Who knows, 83 or 84 might get you in, but that'd be playing with fire.
"So, say 90 points. And I think we can get there.'' He paused, broke into that characteristic grin. "But then, a lot of people think I'm insane.''
After such a pronouncement, certifiably.
"With the regulation-tie thing, I don't think .500 will be enough,'' says Jarome Iginla. "Eighty-six, 87 points. And we'll get there. Why do I think that? The feeling is ... different, somehow. We're more confident, more sure, more relaxed.''
And in tougher, too. As of now, there are eight teams above the break-even point in the West.
"We've gotten close before, but it was in February or March,'' says Cory Stillman. "We're close now and we've got to stay there. We'd always make a big push late, win six or seven, make up a ton of ground, then run out of gas and lose four in a row to fall out of the race.
"Is it exciting coming down to the rink these days? You bet. I think we should concentrate on our own division, at winning that, rather than get caught up in the whole conference thing. The key in my mind is not to lose two games in a row the rest of the way. We do that, we're in.''
So from here to the wire are, in effect, playoff games for these Flames. In a precarious moment in the franchise's existence, injecting some post-season capital and much-needed enthusiasm is almost a necessity for survival.
To that end, nine current Flames have absolutely no playoff experience. Zippo. None. Nada. Eleven more can only boast 11 games or less of post-season trial by fire.
Five grizzled vets -- Fuhr (150), Smith (134), Phil Housley (77), Tommy Albelin (53) and Bobby Dollas (47) -- account for 75% of the team total.
"So,'' said Fuhr, "I've been told. But after 19 years in the league, and after a little success on some pretty good teams, I think I have an idea of what it takes. And, despite what everyone seems to be saying, this team has enough skill. I believe that.
"If there's one thing that's lacking from time to time with this team, it's belief.
"Believing in hockey is most of the battle.
"Just like with Santa Claus.''
 Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race | Visit our Polls Archive |