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Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the “Turtle Bowl”, wow who would have thought we would be sitting here in late January talking about the Flames and Oilers playing a game with the teams a combined 21 games with out victory heading in.

According to the cracker jack PR staff of the Calgary Flames if the Flames win this game tonight they will go 6-0 versus their provincial rivals, it will be the first time in 29 seasons that either team has swept the season series.

While the recent records of the two teams are similar there overall hockey outlook is completely different. The Oilers have had a number of high first round picks over the last couple of seasons and look to have a legitimate chance to pick first overall this summer in LA. The Oilers have never drafted higher then 4th, and although the lottery could have something to say about it could come away with Taylor Hall. They will/are starting from the ground up.

The Flames are in a totally different place they almost have to salvage this season and make a run, if they don’t turn it around soon they maybe forced to watch the Coyotes draft in the top ten with their pick. There are no quick fixes for the Flames, outside of having this group of players pull themselves out of this slump themselves. At some point the GM will make a move but at this point it is all a gamble.

Best player on the two game road trip, Dion Phaneuf, he was taking a few chances and was fairly stable in his own end. The one thing he has that others on this team could use and quite honestly still gets him to trouble is his compete level.

Backlund looked really good Thursday in Phoenix especially as the game wore on the more the intensity got turned up the better he seemed to play. The big question is can he do it two games in a row.

Two things to watch in this game and both boil down to one thing confidence, Calgary can not come out and play this game over confident or they will lose they need to play the same way they did in Dallas and Phoenix and make one or two less mistakes and they will be fine. For the Oilers they have to be confident coming into this game the Flames are struggling especially at home all you need to do is play a strong road game and keep it close just put more pressure on a team who has a ton of it already.

Lines

Glencross Langkow Bourque
Boyd Backlund Iginla
Lundmark Jokinen Nystrom
Sjostrom Prust McGratten

Kiprusoff is going tonight for the Flames

Big Day in Big “D”, the two biggest stories are around here today the Mavericks have won 10 games in a row by one point and new NBA record, and a huge snow storm is coming Friday.

The Stars are not registering much on the old sports radar here these days with the Mav’s rolling and hosting the NBA All Star game, the Texas Rangers have a new owner and the Punter/Kicker of the Saints is a Texas kid so he is getting a lot of publicity.

The Stars hosted a local school today at practice, but it wasn’t to watch it was to teach them about the arena, hockey, and other issues around the building. The kids all had sheets with questions and things to study on them.

Mike Ribeiro was skating before the Stars practice first time since he had a tracheotomy after catching a stick from Chris Higgins of the Rangers, Ribeiro was not expected back until after the Olympics.

Marty Turco was out early taking shots, but is not expected to start Alex Auld will go for Dallas.

Backlund will make his season debut tonight for the Flames, better on the road then at home I think, he is isn’t going to solve all of the teams problems.

Talking to Brent yesterday his biggest issue right now is making sure that the team doesn’t get away from their defensive identity right now. They need to keep things close until the goals come back if not there could be more games like San Jose.

Lines

Lundmark Jokinen Iginla
Boyd Langkow Bourque
Glencross Backlund Nystrom
Sjostrom Prust McGratten

D pairings mixed up because of 7 d-men skating

Kiprusoff gets start

Injured
David Moss – Shoulder
Nigel Dawes – Leg
Craig Conroy - Knee

Hoping to get Darryl Sutter on the pre game show tonight, I do so with the full knowledge that he is likely not going to reveal anything to Mike and I that he didn’t tell the newspapers on the weekend. I have received a couple of e-mails asking what I thought of Sutter’s assessment of his club, not surprised Darryl is a proud man and is protective of his club.

I did realize something though in the Herald article, I keep saying that the Flames GM is good for 2 trades a year so I was expecting him to be active between now and the trade deadline. In fairness Darryl has already made 2 deals this year in sending Anton Stralman to Columbus and acquiring Aaron Johnson from Chicago. I still think he has a couple of deals in him.

Funny thing about winning 1 game in your last 9 everybody has an opinion on your troubles, and I don’t mean locally I mean all of the talking heads from Toronto and the guys who drop in once every two weeks. While some of it is laughable at times there is no shortage of those who believe what we have been hearing from the fans the past week.

Lines
Bourque Langkow Boyd
Glencross Conroy Iginla
Jokinen Nystrom Lundmark
Sjostrom Prust McGratten

D pairings are mixed up so no reading into what they might look like.

What a day what a day Cabbie and the Commish on the same show, it is must listen for sure, the only better if we interviewed them both at the same time.

It is the next day in the rest of your life territory for the Flames tonight, coming off the debacle in San Jose they face a team they haven’t beaten in the regular season in nearly 2 years the Hawks.

We often say that a team or a player maybe in your head and most times when we do that it is for effect to emphasize a point, not in this case. I really believe that the Black Hawks are so far into the heads of some Calgary players that it was a major factor in the two meltdowns earlier this season. Just watch the interaction on the ice between the two teams the conversations seem very one sided and usually end with the Chicago players laughing and skating away.

The Flames have shown the ability to bounce back, you can’t hang your hat on that but you can use it as a building block to getting back on your feet.

The Hawks are by far and away the happiest group of players I have ever seen at this time of the year, even Detroit who recently have been very good in January were confident and in good spirits but not down right giddy like Chicago.

Lines
Glencross Conroy Iginla
Dawes Langkow Bourque
Lundmark Jokinen Nystrom
Prust Boyd McGratten/Sjostrom

What a day yesterday, as much as anyone says “ohh we have seen this before” it never is quite the same as the one before. Safe to say the Flames have fallen face first on 3 or 4 occasions prior to this, but this one was defiantly different. Not so much in the way the team responded, but in the way you the fan responded, the response for those most part was lengthy, well thought out, and it seemed like that it had been clearly there for a while.

Take heart in one thing the Flames heard it, all of it that I can guarantee you. Please don’t interpret that as they are going to do exactly what “you” want but they were listening yesterday.

I believe that Brent Sutter has a vision for what he wants this team to be and how they need to get there, as far as I am concerned he is off the hook here, unless you want a 5th coach in 6 years.

The GM took a lot of shots yesterday from disgruntled fans and it was hard to argue with most. At the end of the day he assembled the team so he suffers the slings and arrows.

This is at the end of the day this team’s lack of consistency and statistical struggles lay directly at the feet of the players. Good bad or indifferent these players as individuals and collectively have shown in the past that they are better then that. It is up to them plain and simple.

None of this is earth shattering I know, but the reality is there appears to be no quick fix coming and this team has to pull itself up on its own. Does that mean Darryl won’t do anything? I still believe the GM will make deals and maybe blockbusters, but history has shown that in the past that they aren’t cure all’s.

By now it is well known that I believe that #3 is a huge part of this teams future, but I would be foolish not acknowledge the sheer number of e-mailer’s, listeners, guys I run into at remotes who want him gone. It is becoming more and more apparent that he leaving town could become a self fulfilling prophecy here. Talking to alumni and people who covered the team in the 80’s and 90’s compare they fans’ relationship with Dion to that of Mike Vernon and Al MacInnis, with one big difference the internet and social media’s seem to be speeding up the process of spoiling the water. Again I hope not because that is one I am sure that would turn out bad for the team.

One apology today, probably should be way more, guy e-mailed in yesterday day about “true fans” and how true fans always stand behind their team. I started to read the e-mail and then just stopped, I shouldn’t have done that, everyone has the right to have their opinion. There are very few things that are non starters for me but I can’t stand that line of thinking that blind faith is the only option for a fan. I take my cue from the great Joe Sports, who can’t define a fan they come in all different sizes, shapes, dispositions, financial involvement, degree of dedication, time commitments, and locations just to name a few of their characteristics. At then end of the day I need them all for what I do so I won’t stand for a blanket description of being better then another. Oh well that’s my opinion, I know it is not everyone’s.

Practice today featured no David Moss, and a lot of battle drills, a lot compete and hustle drills, but by no means was it a bag skate.

For the record one of my favorite guys to interview Gary Bettman will be live in studio Thursday from 5:30 – 6pm. I want to ask about respect and NHL discipline, and the Phoenix situation, NHL in Canada, and outdoor games.

Congratulations to the FAN960 listeners who where either in attendance and asked questions or who submitted e-mails questions for last nights Flames Fan Forum, I thought they were really really strong.

If you missed it you can go back and listen to it in the audio on demand section at www.fan960.com.

Maybe the one nugget of hockey info that stuck out for me last night was Darryl Sutter hinting rather strongly that they are going to resign Jokinen, not that it surprises me but how quick it came up in the answer.

Stampeders made it official today as they have agreed on a new deal with Joffrey Reynolds, terms not released by the club, but in the end the leagues best rusher stays where he belongs.

Spent quite a bit of time yesterday with Flames coaches after practice, and they are staying right on top of this team to make sure they don’t get discouraged or take anything for granted. There are components of their game that they are really happy with, the fore check, the back check, and the play with in the neutral zone; they want to make sure that continues in this game against Nashville. Nobody seems too bent out of shape about the lack of finish as long as they continue to create the chances.

Some thought today’s morning skate maybe optional, but it wasn’t again back to the feeling that they want to stay on these guys to make sure they don’t get complacent or frustrated.

Hey Jamie Lundmark is here at practice, I guess Boomer was right, still no official word I am sure we will get a press release later this morning.

When the Penguins roll into town these days it is a big deal, there are way more fans already in the stands to watch practice that at any time this season. Plus there is far more security in the building including uniformed policemen, just to keep the interlopers from getting to Sid the Kid and his pals.

Adam Pardy plays in his 100th NHL game tonight, not bad for a 6th round pick.

Flames are holding an optional practice this morning with only 10 players taking part.

Example of class, Sidney Crosby, in full gear mind you, came to the Hot Stove Lounge to find Peter Maher to apologize for not getting an interview done before practice.

Flames won’t make any line up changes for tonight’s game against the Av’s Sjostrom, Johnson, and Kronwall are scratched.

You would hope that the Flames PR staff is getting overtime, last week was a busy one for the Flames with the Dan Ryder story, the Theo blog, and the Dion wants to be traded stuff, well low and behold Larry Brooks weighed in yesterday. Brooksie wrote in his Sunday notes column that the Coach of the Flames and the Captain of the Flames are not getting along because of the Coaches “Junior Hockey” tactics, well he maybe right I guess. Brent’s frustrations with his club (i.e. after the Columbus game) is widespread and I am sure includes his captain. When you are changing the culture of a team I am sure that is inevitable, but I wouldn’t get to upset that there is a chasm between the two that can’t be bridged.

The e-mails have already come in that Jamie Lundmark can’t be sent back down, that he is somehow the key to the Flames having success or not having success. I don’t want to belittle what he has done this season, but Jamie Lundmark will be an everyday player for this team when he finds consistency. I think he knows it and the GM I am sure has made it quite clear to him, now it is just a matter of making sure there are more games like Saturday.

Kudos to Brandon Prust his pair of fights was a huge reason the Flames had success against the Canucks since Saturday.

Great now we have laser issues during games, what’s next, actually don’t answer that I think we all know the answer to that question isn’t pretty.

Hands up all of those who thought the Av’s would be with in one point of the lead in the Northwest coming in action on January 11th, that’s what I thought. Joe Sacco has to be in the mix for the Jack Adam’s trophy, along with Dave Tippet, and Mike Babcock who made the mistake of guiding a good team in Detroit all of those years.

First off a correction from yesterday, I mentioned that with Jaffray going back to the AHL maybe it was good news for Craig Conroy. Well as it turns out the 2 aren’t related Craig is on IR and can’t return until Monday at the earliest.

Calgary recalled Jason Jaffray today, be curious to see where he plays as in the past he has been recalled mainly when there has been an injury to a top 6 forward.

In regards to Theo’s blog, saw it couple of days ago, at the time thought it was a hoax (more wishful thinking on my part) and then found it funny that it was pulled down a day later. I think He found out a big lesson about the internet and how what you say is a big deal and fair game, and by the sounds of it regrets it today.

In regards to the rumor of Dion wanting out, don’t believe it myself and I maybe naïve. It seems as if this was a internet rumor that took off, kind of throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks kind of thing. But after Tanguay I guess you never know.

Lines
Lundmark Langkow Iginla
Glencross Jokinen Bourque
Dawes Nystrom Moss
Sjostrom Boyd Prust

McElhinney gets the start in goal

Wild couple of days in the hockey world locally, nationally, and internationally lets throw a couple out there:

One of the biggest mistakes I have made in a long time was in my passionate argument for eliminating a couple of teams from the World Junior tournament I kept mentioning two teams Latvia and Switzerland in my rant. In fairness the two teams that I should have referenced should have been Latvia and Austria. For the record I love the World Junior Tournament, I think there are too many teams in it and some of the round robin games are tedious, and yes there needs to be a mechanism so that lower place teams can qualify for the top event.

Andy Murray got fired Saturday in St.Louis, not surprised and not shocked at all, having spent time twice in the month of December around Andy both here and there and he was clearly a coach looking over his shoulder. Andy Murray is a good coach, but maybe not a good NHL head coach, his shelf life seems to be too short, and why does he have a shelf life? Well if you believe the players who have played for him he is too intense about things that don’t require you to be intense about. Murray loves to leave daily agendas under your hotel door with inspirational sayings and while in the real world those might be welcome by some in the hockey world they really don’t fly. One former player once told me that the fact that Andy never played in the NHL was a big deal, but to him not his players. I hope he lands on his feet as he is a good man.

Loved the Winter Classic in Boston on Friday, thought it looked great and it was a pretty good game can’t wait till an outdoor game comes here next season. The early television ratings are in and it looks like viewers were down on NBC about 10% that means there will be a rush my some in the media to deem it dead and time to move on. It like the rest of the game of professional hockey it is a regional event and should be treated as such.

Met with the Hanson Brothers of Slapshot fame on Saturday, we have a 2 part interview with the guys coming up later in the week; I worked with them 10 years ago and was curious to see if they changed. Well if they have I sure didn’t notice they are absolutely professional and unbelievable to work with, they know who and what they are and truly give everybody who comes in contact with them an unbelievable experience. Dave Hanson looks like he gets tired of it every once and a while, but you would never know it when the lights go on.

I am going to stay the heck out of the Oilers dinner debacle from New Years Eve, as much as I would love to jump all over the story, I am not sure how accurate it is. It just seems like too much behind the scenes stuff was made public too quick, just a thought.

Some Flames Notes:

Dion Phaneuf is fine and accompanied his teammates on their trip to Nashville; he is expected to play against the Predators.

Craig Conroy finished the game on Saturday but will not make the road trip, as per club policy questions about his status have to referred to Darryl Sutter, Darryl is unavailable today because he is in Saskatoon.

The Calgary Flames have won 4 games in a row for the 4th times this season the Flames have not won 5 in a row yet.

The Flames have been involved in 11 2-1 games they have won 5 and lost 6.

Loved being at the Super Skills yesterday, this has become a really fun event to be part of because of the crowd. While down a bit for last year the fans in attendance really do make the event with their rabid response to on ice product.

Love the fact that we are hosting a town hall event with Ken King and Darryl Sutter on Jan14th, I wish it was just first come first serve, but it isn’t. With that said it is good that we can reward our listeners who have been loyal to us, we are going to get to as many questions as we possibly can so make sure to either use your fan club points and starting entering for a chance to be there, or if you aren’t a fan club member sign up for this event and get involved.