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Ouch….that one was tough to watch in the 3rd period. Out worked in the 3rd by an undermanned Canucks team, I am concerned, but not distraught.

Curtis Sanford was great tonight, boy thats a strong 1-2 in goal, or could be.

Curious to see where Mark Smith goes, my guess he goes to Quad City on a two way contract, gets in shape and get a shot up here, we should know tomorrow.

Warren Peters looked good again tonight, should start the season as the extra forward.

Thanks again to Pete for giving me a chance to call a couple of fights, they got on TSN again even though there was a playfull shot at them.

I do one end with one thing it’s just the preseason, but in 6 days it isn’t.

It appears the Calgary Flames have signed free agent center Mark Smith. Played 6 seasons for San Jose. The Deal is pending, will likely be announced Saturday.

As discussed yesterday on Sportsline Mike Keenan is all over the media today. I didn’t think that he said anything that controversial, but everybody has been waiting for Iron Mike to lose it. At the end of the day unless the players buy in, it just won’t matter, they didn’t buy in last season and it showed. But with all of that said Mike was animated and loud at practice, but I have seen that before with a guy named Darryl.

No Lombardi again tonight, talked to him on the radio on Wednesday and he said he was fine, he has practiced everyday. I am told he has a nagging “lower arm issue” that they don’t want aggravate before the season.

Flames Line up:

Tanguay Langkow Iginla
Huselius Conroy Nolan
Primeau Peters Godard
Moss Yelle Nilson

Phaneuf Sarich
Regher Aucoin
Warrener Eriksson

McElhinney M. Kiprusoff

Kiprusoff will get the start by the looks of the things, this is as close to the opening day roster as you’re going to see in exhibition.

Canucks are into town with a pretty big roster, they have 2 games left in the pre-season. Vancouver has had a lot of injuries so far, I am curious to see what kind of line up we see tonight.

Keep your ears on Peters tonight he seems to have the inside track on the extra forward spot.

Great news today the Mayor of Calgary announcing a number of new recreation funding projects which looks like it could turn into as many as 10 new rinks. That’s great news for minor hockey in our city. More on that this afternoon, including Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson at 5:25.

Flames played well in Edmonton last night, but…..Didn’t get the win. I keep saying that the pre-season really doesn’t mean anything, but I think that I would rather go into the regular season over confident then question things. The next 2 games are tell tale, but not be all end all.

Last night the battle for the number 7 d-man took a little turn with David Hale out playing Adam Pardy. Warren Peters was another guy who I thought stood out last night, he was a major reason the Flames scored their lone goal. Curtis McElhinney was solid last night, faced a lot of his work from the slot.

Everybody skated today at practice for the exception of Brett Sutter, no word on why.

Sorry about the posting issue I appreciate the comments, and I will figure out how to get them up in a timely manner.

Somebody asked about Lombardi and why he isn’t going tonight, I asked if he was injured and was told no, so we will go with the world famous coaches decision.

Steve Downie getting a lot of talk as you can imagine, I think it was a cheap shot, dirty hit you pick the wording, just hope Dean Macammond is alright.

Gord Wilson from the Team1200 in Ottawa will join me at 5:25 to talk about the hit, plus I’ll have reaction from around both dressing rooms today.

Just a note if your trying to post a comment and it dosn’t get up right away thats me, just bear with me till I figure this new fangled thing out.

First off I want to thank Peter Maher for giving me the chance to call the Goddard Murray fight last night on the broadcast. Mr. Maher does not have to do me that favor, and I am here to tell you very very very few guys would give that opportunity, but he has, and well it may not mean much to the rest of the world, it means the world to me. Ohhh by the way I was totally exposed by TSN last night, I have always worked with 2 rules when calling a fight on radio: 1. the home team never loses a fight, and the fight must always be more exciting then it actually is. Kudos to TSN for exposing me, but I ain’t going to change.

Some news from the practice, no rushes, so I don’t have lines. So far I can tell you that McElhinney is the starter, not playing - Dion Phaneuf, Jarome Iginla, Owen Nolan, Brett Sutter, Grant Stevenson, Dustin Boyd, and Matt Lombardi. That’s preliminary and is likely to change.

Saw the new Oilers dressing room, spent millions on it, it nice, but…..

Looks like some of the young guys won’t be in the line up tonight. Players taking the skate before the main group today included Adam Pardy, Carsen Germyn, Grant Stevenson, and Warren Peters. Coach always reserves the right to change his mind, included in that early group was Matt Lombardi, Alex Tanguay and Adrian Aucoin.

I haven’t seen the Herald, but my old friend Bruce wrote that Miikka and his agent are looking for $7 million a year, I am not surprised, that’s the range I thought they would be in, but when it gets written down for the first time there is a little sticker shock. Before we get off the rails bemoaning the lack of salary cap room, there is room if Darryl Sutter wants room. I try not to spend other people’s money.

News out of Quad City today (via the Herald) former Calgary Canuck Krys Kolanos did not report to the AHL training camp over the weekend. Talked to Krys a little over a week ago and he told me that he would report to the “A” as he said he’s have to start at the bottom to rebuild his NHL career, and if that meant going to Quad city so be it. He had no contract and no real formal ties to the Flames, but I don’t think he has helped get his NHL career back on track.

Lines – At practice this morning, but the lines have not always translated to games.

Nilson Yelle Goddard
Huselius Langkow Iginla
Primeau Boyd Moss
Sutter Conroy Nolan

Phaneuf Sarich
Eriksson Regher
Hale Warrener

Kiprusoff and McElhinney

This afternoon on Flames at 5 today, Darren Dreger from TSN is scheduled to join me in Hot Stove Lounge at 5:45 tonight. We will also be heading down to the Flames dressing room live at 5:05, and the NHL Insider Peter Maher at 5:25.

Nothing earth shattering at Flames practice today. Did get to spend some time with both Anders Erikkson(sp?) and Adam Pardy, both interviews should already be podcasted and will be part of Flames at 5.

Back at it today for the Flames, full practice in preparation of their game tomorrow night. Nothing too noteworthy to report, other then a huge media contingent in attendance today.

After his performance on Saturday night I think the stock of Adam Pardy has risen in many peoples eyes, but he has to do it again, and then after that he has to do it again. My point being he took a huge step forward, but in the pre-season, he needs to force the issue every time he steps out there. David Hale should be looking over his shoulder.

Will add more if something were to develop.

Need to win, thats the bottom line, wins are required to take pressure off and to keep people from asking questions about you and your players.
Adam Pardy played very well, he had a confidence in his game that I havn’t seen before from him.
The line of Sutter, Boyd, and Moss was flying again tonight. Brett Sutter is going to be a player for a long time in this league, but may have to go to the AHL for a little bit to learn to be a pro.
Thought the Goalie and the d-men struggled in their own end tonight. The bulk of the Oiler goals off rushes and give aways.
Iginla, Langkow, and Tanguay really dictated play during streches of the game.
Thought the Oilers played well, as I said earlier today I think their going to score some more goals, but will they keep more out?
Off day tomorrow, blog and team return on Monday, enjoy the NHL on Sunday.