Calgary Flames To Host Tampa Bay Lightning For The First Time Since 2010
By Traci Kay
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
December 15, 2011. Don’t remember this date? Let me refresh your memory…
It was the last time the Tampa Bay Lightning played the Calgary Flames and won with a 5-4 overtime win.
December 7, 2010 was the last time the Flames hosted the Lightning in Calgary and the Flames won that draw with a 4-2 decision.
Tonight will be a new chapter for the Flames as they host Tampa Bay at the Saddledome tonight.
With Steve Stamkos still out because of a broken right tibia, the Lightning won’t be much easier to win against. They’re still second in the Atlantic Division standings with 52 points, just behind the first place Boston Bruins and they’ve won 7 of their last 10 games.
With players like Marty St. Louis, Valtteri Filppula, and Matthew Carle, Tampa Bay has a talented, fast-paced, gritty team that will be hard to hold off from the Flames net. The Flames will have to be focused and prepared to take on such a powerful club.
Calgary’s defense will have to work extra hard tonight against Tampa Bay. I hope T.J. Brodie can come out from behind the shadows of the defense to shine in front of the Flames net. Ladislav Smid always seems to sacrifice himself for the team and I know he’ll be ready to take on the challenge. With Dennis Wideman back in the line-up tonight, I’m sure the Flames will be prepared to take on this defensive battle.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, the Flames will have to take more shots on net if they hope to make something of this game. Mike Cammalleri and Juri Hudler may have to step up the offensive attack if the Flames hope to score against one of the toughest teams in the league. As well, I’ll be watching Paul Byron and depending on him to give Tampa Bay a run for their money in scoring.
Bob Hartley said yesterday that Kari Ramo will start in net against the team who drafted him in 2004. Ramo had played 48 games with the Lightning before moving on to the KHL.
The game starts at 7pm MT and you can follow our twitter account (@Flame_4_Thought) as we live-tweet the game.
Go Flames Go!