The Flames have had their way so resoundingly over the past four seasons, it’s puzzling as to why they are so close to the .500 mark in the Pengrowth Saddledome.

  Especially when they have been so strong on the road with a 7-1-3 slate, one of the NHL’s best.

  Wednesday against Phoenix, the Flames play at home for the last time in two weeks seeking to end a skid of 4 losses in 5 games in the ‘Dome.  That has brought the teams’ overall record at home to 6-5.

  Over the past 4 seasons, the Flames have averaged just 9 losses over the 41-game home slate.  Now they have over half of those losses after just 11 games.

  In the years since the 2004 playoff run many visiting players in The Hockey News and polls in other publications called the Saddledome the toughest building in the league in which to play.  They noted the fan noise as a factor and the team’s physical style of play.  Neither of which have been up to standard thus far. 

 The noise, while pretty good, hasn’t been at the same decibel level for regular-season games in the time immediately after ’04.  The Flames, on the ice, have been more physical playing on the road.

  Now its a Phoenix team in town that won both times they visited Calgary last season and have won 3 of the last 4 here.

  Just before hitting the road for 6 games, the Flames don’t want their home loss number to hit 6.

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