Sep 30, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Curtis Glencross watches a shot go past Colorado Avalanche goalie Reto Berra (20) during the first period of preseason action at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Our Calgary Flames held their “Red Rally Event” Sunday afternoon. An event meant to strengthen the bonds of Flames fans and their favourite Flames players. Therefore the timing of calling for Coach Bob Hartley to bench one of the team’s assistant captains does not seem right BUT it is the right thing to do.
Curtis Glencross earned high praise from Flame For Thought for his performance on the opening night of the 2014-15 season:
"Curtis Glencross gets my vote for most consistent Calgary Flame forward of the evening….Glencross’ 4 shots lead the Flames and his 5 hits put him second in that category."
Aside from a goal in the St. Louis game that mirrored the goal he scored in the preseason Kraft Hockeyville game held in Sylvan Lake, the positive notes about Mr. Glencross have stopped. He is still my choice of Calgary Flames player to be in front of the net to tip a high shot down past the goalie but Mr. Glencross has been struggling lately.
Flame For Thought’s note about Curtis Glencross from the October 14 game in Nashville:
"Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi seem to have magnets in their sticks deflecting the puck away from them."
From the Flames game on October 25 versus Washington:
"Glencross lost the handle on a shot he normally would have been able to get away, TWICE. Glencross’ passes seem to be going a little wide no matter which zone or which direction he is attempting to make them."
I’m NOT suggesting a permanent banishment to the press box.
I’m suggesting a Dennis Wideman kick-in-the-butt night in the press box. Mr. Wideman is currently on a 4 game goal streak giving him more goals than Glencross has points on the season OR
a Johnny Gaudreau take-a-step-back night in the press box. Aside from the season opener, Gaudreau never played more than 13 minutes in a game. Since his night in the press box, Gaudreau has not played under 15 minutes in a game.
However you want to phrase it, Curtis Glencross needs a night off.