'THE IDENTITY OF OUR TEAM'

EDMONTON - The concept is straight forward, simple - and sound.
The more you have the puck, the more chances you have to score and the less chances the other guys have to do the same.
It was the calling card of the Flames during the regular season.

The minute they lost possession of the puck, they were like the proverbial dog on a bone to get it back, smothering the opposition with a relentless 200-foot checking game, giving them little time to think - and even less time to react.
It's hard to play when your put on your heels.
Through two games in this second-round Battle of Alberta series with the Oilers, which tied at a game apiece, the Flames have done an excellent job of that at times.
However, they want to be more consistent in that aspect of their game, starting tonight in the provincial capital for Game 3.
"When you're checking, you're playing with the puck a bit more," said Hanifin. "You're checking it back. You're making sure you're making plays, you're not turning pucks over - you're not giving them any freebies.
"The goal is to be on top of them and to have more of an aggressive form of defending. I think we can do a better job of that, for sure. Some of their top guys are having a bit too much success out there and we've got to possess the puck more and get back to our game."
Blake Coleman said they are focused on getting back to that style of play for a full 60 minutes.
"I think our defensive game has not been where it needs to be for both games to start the series," he explained Sunday morning at the team's pregame media press conference. "I think that's obviously been the identity of our team, is being aggresive checkers and playing within that system.
"Just a little bit too much time and space, mental errors. I don't think it's an effort thing. I just think that sometimes you kind of end up playing the other team's game a little bit and we just need to get back to Flames hockey."

All their work up to now has been about establishing and cementing that identity for times such as these.
"We set a good foundation for ourselves," said Coleman. "We know the recipe for our team to be successful. We've had stretches during the regular season, during the last series, where you kind of get away from it for a little bit, but you get a quick kick in the butt and a little reminder.
"Guys on our team, for the most part, are very accountable to each other and themselves, and they know what they need to adjust and what they need to do better, with the help of video and things like that between games, I expect a better effort from our group."