Adam: Thank you for the birthday greetings. The Kings-Devils combination does seem a rather unlikely rivalry, considering they are almost as far apart geographically as you can get, but New Jersey's frequent appearances in the Stanley Cup finals over the past few years could be a factor that sparks interest when the Devils visit Los Angeles. I assumed the Mighty Ducks would draw more fans to Staples than the Sharks, but it sounds like it is the other way around. Also, I've often heard that more Canadians live in L.A. than in any other US city, but I guess they don't necessarily buy tickets to see our teams play down there, or maybe they are simply less rowdy and passionate than American fans

Joe: Right! It was 13 PP's for Columbus (I was close when I said 'umpteen' ), and nothing to show for it. That one game has boosted Calgary's ranking in penalty-killing four or five notches up to 20th spot in the league. Very few of the penalties were really flagrant or intentional, but the whistle-happy zebras had it in for the Flames last night (pardon my whining). And even though I'm not a fan of fights in hockey, I kinda like that 'bad boys' label you mentioned!

PS: A very Happy Hanukkah to Adam and Cattledog! I believe it started today.

[ December 20, 2003, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

from Marc:

I assumed the Mighty Ducks would draw more fans to Staples than the Sharks....

It's odd--when the Kings wander down to Anaheim to play the Ducks, there are numerous Kings' fans in attendance but when the Ducks come up to Staples, there are few Duck fans represented. Some of this has to do with the small fanbase for the Ducks. The Pond virtually never sells out; even during the Stanley Cup Finals, a fan could buy a ticket at gametime. The Kings, on the other hand, have a steady (longterm) fanbase, one of whom longs for a chance to see them in the Stanley Cup Finals! And, if they make it, I'll buy tickets for any Outsporter who wants to travel to LA.

~Adam

Adam, don't tempt me like that! eek!

Hey Marc--congratulations on your Flames' Eve of Christmas Eve 2-1 win over the Oilers. Your boys are still in second behind the high-flying Canucks (all Canada should celebrate) ahead of the Avs. If Calgary were in the Pacific Division, they'd even be ahead of my Kings--and I'd want to pummel you. wink

~Adam

Pummel me?! Now Adam, be nice to your fellow man, after all it's the Christmas/Hanukkah season! wink

Yes the Flames did it again, although the Oilers were certainly the more energized team, especially in the second and third periods. Miika Kiprusoff was great, as usual. The Saddledome had its fourth sellout of the season, with over 18,000 fans (although I must admit I watched the game from the comfort of my living room...I really should get to at least a couple of the third-round playoff and Stanley Cup final games this season even if it means going alone).

Our next game is on Boxing Day against Team Sweden, aka the Canucks; and the Flames play them again on Jan 3. Vancouver has been in a wee bit of a slump lately, winning just four of their last ten games and scoring only 23 goals in that same time period. In fact, the 95 goals your Kings have scored this season is just five less than the Canucks, but 17 more than my Flames.

But Adam, we'll all be DEAD when that happens!! Why, that'd be as unlikely as seeing the Marlins win the World Series or something.... wink

Well, I guess it had to happen sooner or later. The Flames lost, for only the third time in their last fifteen games. They were defeated 2-0 by Vancouver. The game featured a penalty shot by Calgary's Oleg Saprykin, but as the score indicates, it was unsuccessful. They managed to kill a five-minute penalty in the third period. Another sellout crowd at the Saddledome, not surprising when the Canucks comes to town. The Flames continue with four more games against all their divisional opponents over the next week.

Marc, sorry to hear about the Flames loss. Interesting that you noted the Flames have some divisonal contests this week. Its the same with the (Spokane) Chiefs. They have a key game with Tri-Shitty (City) tonight, then Seattle and Portland. Spokane is now in 3rd place, 2 points behind Portland and 5 points back from first. The management suggested this week, if they don't start playing better, up to their former potential, there will be some Chiefs saying adios to Spokane. Trading deadline is Jan. 8th.

Hey Marc: congratulations again to your Flames who beat your arch rival Oilers last night. Good job guys!!

Marc, the way your Flames are playing, the game on January 20 at Staples against my boys could be a terrific game--both teams will really fight for the two points. You guys are still ahead of the Avs--and have more points than my Kings!

~Adam

Puckman and Adam, come on up and we can all see a game together at the Saddledome, preferably the Kings on Feb 3 or Mar 27! Beyond the regular season, I have a good feeling that we'll be seeing both Los Angeles and Calgary in the playoffs this year. Right now, both teams would certainly qualify. However, I'm thinking of changing the title of this thread soon; I'm not superstitious by nature, but I'm getting nervous that I might jinx the Flames with such an over-confident heading!

I didn't see last night's Battle of Alberta, Round V, but of course I'm glad the South won. It was a typical low-scoring game (2-1) between Calgary and Deadmonton; in five matches this season, only 16 goals have been scored in total by both teams. My boy Denis Gauthier (D) didn't play due to a rather questionable two-game suspension. Oddly, the two rivals have nearly completed their series before the half-way point of the season; they meet only once more, in March. This year, none of the Flames' last dozen-or-so games are against divisional opponents, in fact many of them are against the new "Adam's" Division wink

Flames continue with home games against Minnesota, Colorado and Vancouver, before heading east to face the New York Cattledogs...er Rangers wink then the Islanders and Black Hawks.

New York Cattledogs??? Too funny.

Happy New Year to all of you! Last night's game between Calgary and Colorado was televised and over by 9 pm, so there was still plenty of time to go out and party a little, although the Flames had little to celebrate last night. Besides losing 2-1 to the Avalanche, goalie Miika Kiprusoff is out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury! Apparently this happened during the Minnesota game a couple nights ago, although he completed that game and I had heard nothing about this until last night. Back-up Jamie McLennan is competent as a temporary replacement, but I'm not sure how long he can handle the pressures of being #1. I'm wishing Roman Turek was healthy enough to play. He's been out most of the season, and his rehab has taken much longer than expected; now they are saying another 10-14 days before he can play. As for the game, the Flames' only goal was a short-handed one by Rhett Warrener; rather ironic, considering how poor their power play has been lately (one for 47!) And I STILL didn't get to see Paul Kariya...apparently it's going to be awhile yet before he's back. The Avs haven't lost a game at the Saddledome in more than two years. Their win has brought them into a second-place tie in the division with the Flames at 44 points each.

[ January 01, 2004, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

Well the red-hot Flames have not been so red-hot lately. For the first time in over a month, they have lost back-to-back games; tonight the victors were the Canucks in a 3-1 decision. In fact, those three goals were the most the Flames have allowed in quite awhile. Our team is riddled with injuries, missing the services of two goalies (Kiprusoff and Turek), three centres (Conroy, Betts and Reinprecht) and now another forward (Kobasew). Tonight Jarome Iginla missed on a penalty shot against Canucks' goalie Alex Auld; in fact this was Calgary's second failed penalty shot in as many games against Vancouver. Iggy also missed on a short-handed breakaway that I thought for sure he'd get. And the Flames power play continues to struggle, 0 for 3 tonight; scoreless in their last 50 opportunities.

However there were a couple of moments of comic relief, even if they were at Calgary's expense: (1)Canucks' Jarkko Ruutu stuck his tongue out at a Flames player after a minor altercation; (2) Magnus Arvedson kissed his hockey stick after scoring one of Vancouver's goals. At least he didn't pull out a cell phone from behind the net

Next stop, some obscure little rink called Madison Square Gardens wink

As rocker Meat Loaf used to croon "two out of three ain't bad". The injury-plagued Flames have just ended a road trip with wins against the Rangers and Islanders, followed by a loss tonight to the Black Hawks (the game I expected Calgary to win most easily). Jarome Iginla scored three goals and three assists in the Big Apple, prompting him to declare "I Love New York!" Iggy has been great on the road, but has scored only twice at home this season. Not one of these Flames games were televised here...for some reason, the usual week-night broadcaster (Rogers Sports Net) decided fans wanted to see the Oilers play three games this week.

The Flames are one game short of the mid-point of their season, with 48 points (21-13-3-3) and breathing down the necks of both the Avalanche and Canucks. Certainly a pleasant turnaround from last season when after 40 games they had just 35 points (13-18-6-3).

Marc! You changed the title of the thread! I would've thought you'd have waited until after the finals were over...

Sorry to hear about the Flames loss Marc. I would say either Calgary was tired or the Hawks played an inspired game against them.

Joe, my reasons for changing the thread title isn't due to a lack of confidence in the Flames, but rather because I'm a wee bit nervous that the original title may seem a bit too cocky and pompous heading into the second half of the season, and I don't want to do anything to 'jinx' the Flames' chances! When I started the 'Stanley Cup Champions' thread title, I was just having some fun because everyone at the time (myself included) thought the idea was absurd. Now that it's no longer quite so absurd (though still a long shot) I need to be more careful in my predictions, 'cause if the Flames fall apart I'll never hear the end of it from my fellow Outsporters

Sports history is full of examples of teams that slide towards the end of the season, and I sure don't want Calgary to end up like my Seattle Mariners have done the last two seasons, by missing the playoffs altogether.

Also I picked (what I hope is) a catchy, alliterative title to re-name the thread. Bet you guys have never seen so many words starting with the letter 'F' in the same phrase, at least one that doesn't contain that most common of all F-words

Puckman, one of the Flames players (I forget which one) said the loss to Chicago last night was more due to a lack of effort, perhaps too confident against a team which they expected to defeat easily after the two wins in New York.

The change makes perfect sense--and change is good, though many perceive change as a form of death--but the former thread title would have enabled me to place a bet on the Stanley Cup Champions based wholly upon your prescience. Now I'll just have to rely on voodoo!

~Adam

Wow, it's only been three days since the last post on this thread, and already it's dropped to the 14th position on the hockey topics page (that is, until I click 'add reply' wink ) Lots to chat and read about on the various threads now that we are half-way through the regular season!

I'm sure everyone knows that Brian Boucher was the NHL's defensive player of the week (well-deserved), but Jarome Iginla was named the offensive player of the week, with ten points in four games. In the most recent game (Sat vs Florida), he scored twice, including one short-handed goal. Jamie McLennan continues to be a very capable netminder with a 1.9 GAA, filling the shoes (I mean skates, of course) for injured Miika Kiprusoff and Roman Turek.

Flames travel east again this week for games against the Leafs and the dreaded Capitals. In Toronto, former Flame Gary Roberts will be playing his 1,000th career game. Then a string of games against Pacific Divison teams..home to the Stars, then off to So Cal for games against the Ducks and Kings. Adam, if you're at the game on Jan 20, leave your voodoo doll at home, we don't need to be cursed with any more injuries!

from Marc:

Adam, if you're at the game on Jan. 20, leave your voodoo doll at home, we don't need to be cursed with any more injuries!

For you, Marc, anything. Anyway, with the Kings and Flames, maybe the Red Cross should set up a triage unit for the injured??? By the way, last night on "NHL Tonight," Barry Melrose and EJ Hradak both said they expect the Flames to make the playoffs this year, breaking a long drought.

~Adam

Good idea, Adam. Maybe a fully-equipped MASH unit as well. I just checked the current NHL injury report:

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/injuries

It shows Los Angeles has eight players out of action (including Ziggy, which must be a severe blow, since it looks like he won't be back this season), although Atlanta and the NY Rangers are close behind. Only five injuries are listed for Calgary, but there are at least two other players I know for a fact aren't mentioned for whatever reason. But at least some of them are expected back in the lineup soon. I suppose one has to look not just at the total number of injuries per team but at the relative contribution of each of those players to get a true sense of the impact.

As for the Flames making the playoffs, indeed if they do it will break a seven-year drought. With 50 points half-way through the season, even if they play just .500 hockey, that would give them 91 points which ought to be enough for a playoff spot. However, I'm sure Darryl Sutter and the team are aiming for more than .500 in the second half.

With a drought that long Marc, the Flames deserve to be in the playoffs. Funny but as I recall the pre-year picks by most did not say much about Calgary, or were not very optimistic. Just goes to show you what they know, eh?

Marc,

Your boys from Calgary play the Caps tonight. This should be a nice win for the Flames. wink

Trevor

Following last night's loss to Toronto, a Flames win would have been nice, Trevor, but as you probably know already, the Calgary @ Washington game ended up in a 3-3 tie. During the first 55 minutes of the game, it looked very much like we were in for a scoreless tie, with great goaltending by Olie Kolzig and Jamie McLennan. But hold on! Unbelievably, SIX GOALS were scored in the last five minutes of regulation time, three each for the Capitals and Flames. I thought for sure Calgary had won it when Jarome Iginla made it 3-2 with something like 35 seconds left. But with seven tenths of a second left on the clock, Jaromir Jagr netted the puck, forcing overtime. One of the Flames' goals resulted from the advantage gained when a Washington player's stick was broken, which one of the TV announcers called "unconscionable" on the part of stick manufacturers because apparently this has happened a lot in the NHL this season.

I don't know how many fans showed up at the MCI Centre in Washington for this game (looked like a lot of empty seats on TV) but I think they were treated to an entertaining game (even the first 55 minutes were not as dull as the 0-0 score might suggest), and both teams deserved to come away with a point.

[ January 14, 2004, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

I watched the game on t.v. last night, and it was one of the more entertaining games I have seen this year. Somehow, the brilliant goaltending and defense on both teams fell apart with about 5 minutes left in regulation. Jamie McClellan really blew it on Jaromir Jagr's shot with 1 second left in regulation. However, even though the game ended 3-3, the remarkable play of McClellan and Olie Kolzig for those first 55 minutes cannot be denied. Great game!

That game was televised in the DC area, Cattledog? I'm surprised, considering how few games make it to the 'tube' down there, and those that do always seem to involve US-based teams only, at least based on what I've read on other threads. In any case, it was a good game and am glad you enjoyed it too.

By the way, my American friend, the Flames' goaltender prefers the 'Canadian' spelling of his surname, ie McLennan, not McClellan.

[ January 15, 2004, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

The DC area, like Philadelphia, has a local all-sports channel established by Comcast Cable. They fill up the time with, among other things, local teams' broadcasts. While a certain percentage of games end up on free TV, most of them are shown on Comcast Sportsnet. All Flyers games are televised somewhere (Comcast, local UPN station, or ESPN/ABC), and I suspect all (or at least most) Caps games are as well.

Well, with my digital cable, I have now been able to watch Marc's Flames again. Another third period collapse on defense and in goal (a different goaltender this time--Roman Turek) for the Flames. This time they don't even walk away with a point, but they do walk away knowing they had a 2-1 lead midway through the third against Dallas. What's up, Marc? Are they exhausted from the NHL's ridiculous scheduling, which sent them (in order) to New York, Long Island, and Chicago, back to Calgary to face Florida, back out to Toronto and Washington in two consecutive nights, and then back home to play Dallas last night?

I know I would be tired Cattledog, with that schedule. frown

Well after that disappointing loss to Dallas on Saturday (which was the first time this season Calgary has blown a lead going into the third period), tonight the Flames won decisively against the 'Mighty' Ducks. Anaheim had a strong first period out-shooting Calgary something like 18-6 and scoring the first goal (Sergei Fedorov, who I keep forgetting is no longer in Detroit!) However the Flames killed off a questionable five-minute penalty (J.S. Giguere was unintentionally hit on the head), and then went on to win 5-1, including two power play goals. My boyfriend, centre Craig Conroy, is back in action now, and played very well, with four assists. And he appears to be winning the Flames' mustache-growing contest. He was interviewed after the game; I think he is one of the nicest, most good-natured guys in the NHL.

As for Jarome Iginla, he did not play tonight after suffering a sprained ankle while trying to stop an icing call in the game against Dallas. He is listed as 'day to day' so I don't think he will be out for long (although I doubt if he will be in the lineup for the game against the Kings tomorrow). But if he does play...beware Adam, Iggy scores more on the road than he does at home. Obviously, the Flames played well tonight without Jarome, showing that they are no longer a one-man show. I heard on the radio today that coach Darryl Sutter made a snippy remark which I thought was uncalled for. When reporters asked him about Iggy's ankle, Sutter apparently said something like "I don't know, I don't follow your 'gods' into the dressing room to find out such things". The inference was that Jarome is vain and hogs the spotlight, but I think that's totally inaccurate. When interviewed, he does not come across as arrogant at all, and always gives credit to his teammates.

As for C-dog's and Puckman's comments about the Flames schedule...you're right, it is pretty gruelling with all that travel, and may well be a factor in their recent performance. They have nine road games (all outside their division, thus greater travelling distances) and only six home games in January. And most of those home games are single games sandwiched between road trips. It gets a little better in February, when they have a five-game stretch at home. I think the Vancouver Canucks travel/playing schedule was just as brutal last month. In general, Western conference teams rack up a lot more distance than those in the East. Even within our Northwest division, the distances between cities are vast, except for Calgary-Edmonton. Vancouver and Minnesota play each other six times a year and are 2500 kilometres apart. In stark contrast, I assume the teams in the Atlantic Division never have to fly when playing within their division, except possibly when Pittsburgh is involved.

The subject of travel came up in the recent Stars @ Flames game, and I was a bit surprised to hear that Dallas has actually racked up the most travel distance so far this year.

This 600th milestone post (almost 10 percent of Joe's total! ) may also be my longest...I forgot to add that, even though the Flames' won tonight, so did the Nashville Predators who have been quietly creeping up the standings and remain the #6 seed in the West, one spot ahead of Calgary. Who'd have thought we'd be watching out for the Predators for a playoff spot? But then again, who thought the Flames would even be in the top eight this year?

[ January 19, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

So Iginla's day-to-day (to qoute Keith Olbermann: "But aren't we all?") so my boys may not have to face him?? Nice guy defenseman Ian Laperriere (my niece's first major lust object) says he won't miss him; Iginla has "always given me fits." Looking forward to tonight's game--if I remember correctly, the Flames have allowed the fewest goals of Western teams & my Kings usually score their greatest number of goals in their first games back after a road trip, so there could be quite a clash this evening. Hot dog!

~Adam

Marc: congrats to your Flames on their victory over Anaheim. The Ducks misery just continues on and on and on.... Maybe the Spokane Chiefs can rehire Coach Babcock as they too are playing below expectation hockey of late. frown

Thanks Puckman, although the sweet taste of a decisive victory in Anaheim was short-lived, after the Flames continued their tour of duty in So Cal tonight. The Kings humbled my boys 4-1, so I suspect Adam made use of his voodoo doll to make them lose :mad: But stay tuned for Round 2, here on Feb 3!

[ January 20, 2004, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

Marc, good luck to your guys tonight against the Predators. When the Flames played my guys, it seemed Iginla was skating gingerly--is his ankle hurting him more than the team is officially letting on?

~Adam

Adam, I didn't have the benefit of watching Iggy skate tonight because the game against the Predators wasn't televised (just like the Kings' game). I only caught part of the game on the radio, and there was no specific mention of his ankle. He had over 17 minutes of ice time according to the stats on the Flames' website, although that would seem to indicate he is still hurting, as Jarome often plays about 25 minutes per game. And it was announced today that Iggy is going to the All-Star game.

Flames continue with their hot-cold-hot routine of late...a big 4-0 win over Nashville, a team I'm really not familiar with...I could only think of Jordin Tootoo, the pesky little rookie from Nunavut (he's had a lot of publicity up here, being the first Inuit to play in the NHL). The win was especially significant because the Flames regained the #6 conference spot from the surprising Predators, and also have a game in hand. And the shutout was vindication for Roman Turek, after the debacle in Los Angeles, and last week against Dallas. It was Turek's 25th career shutout.

I'm a sucker for penalty shots--love watching the skater cagily maneuver toward the net and the goalie make responding adjustments--so congratulations to the Flames (and, by extension, to Marc) on their 2-1 victory over the Coyotes on Shean Donovan's penalty shot.

~Adam

Adam, from the highlights I saw that was a beautiful penalty shot goal by Donovan, in fact his second of the season. Only once before in Flames' history has one player scored this way more than once in the same season. (Interestingly, in another Tuesday game, there were two penalty shots, quite a rare occurrence. Tampa and Pittsburgh each had a shot, although both failed). Back to the Calgary @ Phoenix game, Roman Turek certainly wasn't challenged much by the Desert Dogs, facing only 12 shots on goal on Tuesday night. Brian Boucher was officially recognized in Phoenix at the game for his recent shut-out record. Some commentators were saying because of this Boucher should have played instead of Sean Burke, but I thought it made sense to give Boucher the night off rather than risk the embarrassment of losing while being honoured.

As for last night's game in San Jose, the Flames continue with their inconsistent Jekyll and Hyde play, losing 4-1 to the surging Sharks. Since January 6, Calgary has not put together back-to-back wins, although I suppose the W-L-W-L pattern is preferable to a long losing streak. It isn't all Turek's fault, but our $4.25 million goalie has really been under the microscope here since his return two weeks ago, and fans are getting impatient with his erratic performance. Get well soon, Mikka!!

At long last, the Flames get a decent stretch of five home games...beginning Friday versus Chicago, followed by Anaheim, Los Angeles, St Louis and Atlanta.

The Flames are in the middle of a five-game home stretch. The first game, against the lowly Black Hawks on Friday, should have been the easiest win of the five, but Calgary found a way to squander a two-goal lead and ultimately lose the game. My boys earned the dubious honour of being the first road win for Chicago in something like 20 games.

Things went better today, in a rare Sunday afternoon game (time was changed due to the Super Bowl). Flames beat the Mighty Ducks 6-4...it's not very often Calgary plays in a game featuring ten goals! The Ducks' netminder (Martin Gerber) allowed three goals early in the first period and was replaced by J.S. Giguere. I was glad to hear that my BF Craig Conroy finally scored one today! Also pleasantly surprised to hear that Jamie McLennan played in goal for Calgary today, even if he did let in four pucks. He hasn't seen any action since Roman Turek's return, supposedly because he has been suffering from an 'undisclosed' injury, whatever that means. But Jamie was there today, in place of the disappointing Turek. Good news is that Miikka Kiprusoff should be returning shortly after the All-Star break

In a rather odd coincidence, both So Cal teams were in Calgary today. Maybe the Kings and Ducks don't see enough of each other in L.A.? The Kings played in Edmonton last night and are here for a couple of days of curling eek! (as alleged by Adam) before playing the Flames on Tuesday.

[ February 01, 2004, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

Congrats are in order to you and the Flames Marc. Job well done! wink

The Flames were highly efficient. From what I read, they scored 5 goals on their first 14 shots!! That's a very high percentage. Quote from Ducks coach Mike Babcock on the 6-4 game: "You get four goals, you've got to win the hockey game. We're a better team than that." the Ducks had been 8-0-1 in games in which they scored at least four goals. Sadly, the Ducks' organization is now admitting the team is already looking to regroup for next season.

~Adam

For the second time this season, a Kings-Flames game wasn't televised here, so I had to settle for the tail-end of the radio broadcast on my way home, and the TV highlights later. Calgary had a two-goal lead on two occasions but Adam's boys kept coming back! Jarome Iginla had a hat trick, moving him into the top ten NHL scorers, with 24 on the season to date. One of those goals was a strange-looking one...Iggy fell as he shot the puck and Roman Cechmanek deflected it into his own net. He was later replaced by Cristobal Huet. Jamie McLennan played goal for the Flames for the second game in a row, but apparently he was still hurting from whatever 'undisclosed' injury he has. From what I heard, it was quite an entertaining game at the Saddledome last night. But afterward, the Flames players interviewed seemed pretty down on themselves, especially defenceman Rhett Warrener, who looked more like a goalie due to a cage over his face as a result of a recent injury. Lately the Flames seem unable to maintain the lead in their games. They have acquired a new player for the blue line, Mike Commodore from the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters ( love that name!), although I'm not sure if he played tonight.

I guess the Flames were overdue for a tie, as this was only their fifth of the season (fewer than most teams in the league). There is now a three-way tie for sixth place in the West, with Los Angeles, Calgary and Nashville each having 60 points, just one behind Dallas. On Thursday, the Flames play host to the Blues, who are also in the thick of the playoff hunt with 58 points.

The Lock Mosters?!?! That's a great name for a team...Mike Commodore did indeed play; the LA Times features a photo of "King Sean Avery slips under a check from Calgary's Jerome Iginla and Mike Commodore in the second period." It sort of looks like a Sean Avery sandwich.

~Adam

The Flames hosted the Blues last night and lost 2-1 :mad: Can't really fault Roman Turek or the defense this time; it just seemed the offense couldn't get it together. The power play (0 for 5) was especially ineffective. St Louis went ahead late in the third period with a goal by Scott Mellanby. Shortly thereafter, the Flames had a 6 on 4 opportunity with a Blues' penalty and Turek out of the net, but they didn't even get a shot on goal. Just like Chicago did a few days ago, St Louis ended its lengthy losing streak at the Saddledome! On a positive note, at least I got to see handsome hunk Doug Weight interviewed after the game.

These last several home games were supposed to be an opportunity for Calgary to gain some lost ground, playing two teams with worse records (Chicago and Anaheim) and two with similar records (Los Angeles and St Louis). But the result has been a disappointing one win, one tie and two losses. The Flames play the Thrashers after the All-Star break, but then the going gets tough for the rest of the month, as they are mostly playing teams with better records (Vancouver, Colorado, Ottawa, New Jersey and Detroit). Miikka Kiprusoff, who is being looked upon by fans as The Saviour for his excellent goaltending, is due to be back next week.

There is now a four-way logjam for sixth place in the West. Calgary, Los Angeles, Nashville and St Louis all have 60 points going into the All-Star break.

Adam (and anyone else who is interested), as for those lovable Lock Monsters of the AHL... apparently the name comes a system of lift-locks
in Lowell, Mass. and the 'monsters' are the 'guardians' of the locks. I thought maybe some Scottish guy owned the team and he was homesick for the Loch Ness Monster Anyway, the Lock Monsters are a 'farm' team for both the Flames and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Thanks for the information on the Locks, Marc. As for the logjam in the West, coach Andy Murray says the Kings need at least 90 points to make the playoffs. Since they have just 28 games left in the regular sesaon & need 30 points to reach Murray's magic number, it is still feasible, so I'll be using my voodoo powers from here on in. wink

~Adam

So all the Kings need is just two wins and 26 more ties (or OTL's) to reach that magic figure of 90 points! Given the Kings' penchant for tie games, that shouldn't be too hard, Adam! And speaking of 'magic', I think Vancouver, Colorado, Detroit and even San Jose are beyond the reach of your infamous voodoo powers, but feel free to use them against Dallas, Nashville and St Louis (you'll notice I left out a certain team from that list).

[ February 06, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Marc ]

Good morning, Marc (two hours later than me).
On this day in 1993, Calgary Flames goaltender Jeff Reese (remember him?) gets in on the offensive action, recording three assists in a 13-1 rout of the San Jose Sharks to set a record for points in a game by a goaltender. Also in that game, Flames teammate Theo Fleury (remember him???) was a plus-9, the second highest single-game total.

See... That calendar you got me for my birthday is coming in handy!

Thanks for the interesting stat, Cattledog! I wasn't following the NHL as closely in the 1990s as I was in the 80's or now, but I do recall that Jeff Reese played back-up to our long-time goalie Mike Vernon, for a couple of seasons. Your comment prompted me to find out what Reese is doing now; apparently he is a goaltender coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning. I certainly remember Theo Fleury very well...he was a fan favourite in Calgary for years, back then he still used his full first name 'Theoren'. He scored over 50 goals one year. It's too bad his personal life and career took such a downward spiral when he played for THE New York team and later for Chicago. Just recently, Fleury expressed his disdain for the lack of offense in the NHL but said if he makes a comeback he would like to play for the Flames again. Apparently, coach Sutter isn't interested (no surprise there). By the way, I'm sure that 13-1 win over San Jose must be the most lopsided victory in Flames' history. This year, it takes them at least five games to score that many goals!

Glad you're enjoying the hockey calendar. The Flames calendar you sent me features a nice photo of our Finnish defenseman Toni Lydman this month, and a very easy question: What were the 'Original Six' NHL franchises? Even younger guys like you who were born in the 'post-expansion era' should be able to rattle off the six teams in six seconds!

The Flames host Dany Heatley and the Atlanta Thrashers tonight. Rumour has it that Miika Kiprusoff will be back in the net; he has been a major key to the team's success earlier this season. Let's hope the Thrashers take a thrashin'! Calgary has to win at least half of their remaining games to have a realistic shot at the playoffs.

[ February 10, 2004, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: Marc ]

I was born a few years before expansion, but...Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, NY Rangers...

I know this was probably just an oversight by you, Joe, but I am sure you didn't mean to list the New York Rangers last.