If the Calgary Flames demonstrated the passion and intensity their assistant coach exhibited after their latest loss, they might not be in the mess they’re in.
While players were busy in their post-game scrums Tuesday, highlighting the positives and suggesting adversity could be good in the long run, Geoff Ward was being brutally honest on the radio.
Using words his players dare not utter, he dispensed advice they’d be wise to heed.
“Right now, we need guys that hate to lose,” the veteran assistant coach told Sportsnet FAN 960 on the heels of Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Colorado, the team’s fifth setback in a row.
“Collectively, when we’re sick and tired of losing, we’ll find a way to win a game. Right now the frustration is reflected in the work ethic, and the work ethic isn’t where it needs to be to win hockey games, and we need to rectify it.”
It’s a damning charge, but one this crew clearly needs hammered home – until they realize no one can get by on skill alone, the 10-11-3 Flames will drift further out of the playoff picture.
Ward pointed out it’s not just about hustle and heart, but being more mentally engaged so the self-inflicted wounds that have dotted their losses are reduced.
“This has been going on for awhile,” said Ward of the three Avalanche goals he deemed gifts – the result of careless breakdowns.
“It needs to stop. We’ve got to get this thing stopped because we’re giving away points that are going to come back and bite us later in the season. We need to be more desperate. We need to be better away from the puck. We need to be more committed and more accountable to the process, and once that happens you’re going to see it turn.”
[snippet id=4744365]
Ward, who is rarely quoted in print, said what needs to happen next is a series of heart-to-hearts amongst teammates, demanding more from one another.
“It starts in the room,” said Ward, whose club followed an intense, efficient skate Wednesday with a trip to St. Louis to kick off a pivotal four-game roadie.
“It always means more when it’s coming from a teammate.
“We need to look at where our accountability is. We talk about being able to have the hard conversation. Right now, there has to be some hard conversation. It’s not about whether or not everybody in the room likes each other. It’s about what each guy in the room needs from the guys beside and across from him to turn this thing around. We’re not getting enough out of each other to win games in this league.”
Ward’s refreshingly pointed comments were re-aired throughout the day Wednesday, sparking players’ discussions on his thoughts.
“I was talking to Wardo this morning about it and he explained what he meant,” said captain Mark Giordano.
“He’s been around a lot and has a lot of great points, so I take a lot of it to heart. What he means is, the only way we’re going to get out of this funk and get wins is when we figure out that the work has to be the most important thing, and defensive play. And then everything else will fall into place. We’ve got to get those details back.”
Two days after Matthew Tkachuk voiced significant disgust with his team’s 6-0 shellacking Sunday in Vegas, the players were surprisingly calm and measured with their words despite yet another loss.
It didn’t feel right in a city where fans are in the midst of that sky-is-falling mentality every Canadian hockey market is well-versed in.
[snippet id=3816507]
“I think there was enough anger, maybe not a lot of it shown,” said coach Bill Peters.
“But at some point, you have to have some poise and move on and realize where you’re at. Right now we don’t have much margin for error.
“You’ve got to hate to lose – there’s no question about that.
“Post games are an emotional time for everybody. At some point you have to draw a line in the sand and you’ve got to be sick of it. Hopefully we’re getting to that point.”
To their credit, no one is making excuses or pointing to injuries as part of their woes. Travis Hamonic (day-to-day) did not join the team on its charter flight, nor did TJ Brodie (day-to-day) or Sam Bennett, who was placed on the long-term injured reserve Wednesday.
Tobias Rieder was recalled from Stockton with defenceman Alexander Yelesin.
The shining example of the work that needs to be more prevalent in games was demonstrated in the last few outings by Derek Ryan’s line with Milan Lucic and Dillon Dube.
“There no secret what they’re doing – they’re working really hard, they’re holding onto pucks in the o-zone and they’re chipping them in and going and getting them,” said Giordano of the lunch bucket line.
“The rest of us have to look at them as an example and get back to work. You’re not going to out-skill anyone in this league – everyone works so hard that it has to be the number one thing.”
[relatedlinks]
