SHOCKEY HOCKEY: FLAMES ARE #1

1700’s Irish author Laurence Sterne put it best when he once said, “The desire for knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.” 

There are many ways to acquire the figurative riches, as Sterne puts it. One such way is seeking an expert. 

Former WHL Head Coach/NHL scout Parry Shockey just so happens to be a hockey expert and he divulged his knowledge on The Rod Pedersen Show this week. 

At its core Shockey argues that hockey isn’t a very complex sport. 

“The game is very simple in many ways,” explained Shockey. “It’s a game of five one-on-one’s. Don’t let [their] [guys] win any battles whether offensively or defensively. Hockey is about creating odd man situations. In the playoffs how many times do you see a three-on-two or a two-on-one situation and everyone gets excited cause you have a numerical advantage to score.”

A major goal during any sports competition is to assert your style of play over your opponent.

During the 2022 NHL postseason, one of the more surprising results was the Calgary Flames 5 game second round loss to their fierce rival Edmonton Oilers.

As Shockey explains, the Flames inability to assert their physical style of play was key in the Oilers winning the series. 

“They weren’t able to play their game,” offered Shockey. “Calgary comes out of a battle against the Stars and they go up against run and gun Edmonton. Focus on the trenches! go play your style! Everybody’s gonna come to the net, so figure out a way to pick them up as they come in and take advantage of your opportunities!” 

Fast-forward to the present day and the Flames have started off their 2022-23 campaign quite positively winning five of their first six games.

However that one loss, a 6-3 defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, had many pundits criticizing Goaltender Jacob Markstrom. 

“It’s totally unfair,” said Shockey. “For [Buffalo] to get some of their shots, there were screens, there was two-on-one’s. They had THREE turnovers in their own zone!”

When discussing the Flames difficult night Shockey was reminded of an old saying he had during his coaching tenure. 

“I used to have a philosophy,” exclaimed Shockey. “Where I’d say ‘shoot it at our own net! Shoot it at our own net!’ Because we had so many turnovers you might as well shoot it out your own net, get the pain over with and get back to the face-off dot.

From Shockey’s perspective the Flames are currently the best team in the NHL.

“They got 4 lines,” Shockey analyzed, “that can throw anything at anybody. I honestly think they can play their 4th line against most teams’ 2nd line, and just pound them up.”    

Shockey argues that the Flames possess a key ingredient to their roster, which will help them succeed in the postseason. 

“Calgary is built for the long haul,” said Shockey. “ It reminds me of what I said once on a broadcast for the Calgary hitmen ‘we don’t trade thoroughbreds for plow-horses.’ When you’re in those tough games I want the plow-horses!”

As the NHL season continues so does the Flames quest for NHL supremacy. 

Their next adventure sees them hosting the rival Oilers this Saturday evening in another edition of the Battle of Alberta.

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio)