Thoughts on A Failing Flame, Rene Bourque

Oh my Flames.  What are you guys doing?  The Calgary Flames played the Washington Capitals last night and while I expected to lose (the Capitals are a younger, faster team that can scoot around the Flames) I didn’t expect the Flames to resort to cheap shots.

Rene Bourque, what the hell are you doing?  Last month you were suspended for a head shot in the Chicago Blackhawks game, so last night you decided to elbow Nicklas Backstrom in the third period?  He’s now a repeat offender, there is a president for head shots and Brendan Shanahan will take this in to consideration.  Bourque’s suspension was handed out earlier tonight, 5 games and for someone who is not an enforcer or much of a physical player of any sort, he’s been causing a lot of headaches for the Flames.

His comments on the hit, according to TSN.ca?

“Did it look really bad? Was he hurt? I didn’t even know if I clipped him,” … “I didn’t even know if I hit him in the head.”

This type of comment is exactly what Nick Kypreos, John Garret, and Doug McLean were talking about in between periods.  The guys were talking about Chicago Blackhawk Dan Carcillo’s hit on Edmonton Oiler Tom Gilbert, but the topic applies to Rene Bourque’s situation as well.  They discussed Gilbert’s need to be aware of what’s going on while out on the ice.  Bourque cannot be so oblivious when he’s out on the ice.  Be aware of what’s going on.  He’s accountable for his actions, even if he doesn’t know contact was made.

And it’s just not the cheap shots.  How about the dumb penalties?  That elbow to Backstrom’s head lead to a 2 minute penalty, which wasn’t the big problem, game wise.  It was more the holding penalty 36 seconds into the game.  35 seconds later, Alexander Ovechkin scored a goal.  1:11 into the game, the Flames were forced to dig themselves out of a hole.  Something they aren’t very good at doing.  Bourque contributed to the loss against the Ottawa Senators on December 30th.  Ignoring the fact that the team gave up three goals after leading 3-0 through the first, the Flames still had a shot at winning in OT.  However, Mr. Bourque had to commit a holding penalty, giving the Senators a 4-3 that was proven to be advantageous.  1:11 seconds later, Daniel Alfredsson managed to sink #400.

Now I know I can’t put all the blame on Bourque, it’s a team effort to be this awful but you can’t deny this sudden down swing in this guy’s play.  With a $3.3 million cap hit and the expectation to be a 30+ goal scorer, Bourque is turning out to be some what disappointing to me.  Getting suspended is not going to help him turn his 13 goals into 30 goals.

Step it up Bourque.  Stop taking your frustrations out through sloppy play.  And start doing what the Flames signed you to do, put the puck in the net.

Go Flames Go