Calgary Flames Daily: Game Day, Vernon Likes These Guys
By Ramina Shlah
Happy Tuesday Calgary Flames fans! It’s game day where the Flames will be starting a three-game challenging road-trip. Let’s look at some Flames news.
The Calgary Flames will begin a three-day road trip in the United States capital. They’ll face off against the Washington Capitals tonight before heading off to Nashville, then St. Louis. This will be a challenge and a test for the team because all three of these teams are in a playoff spot right now. And the Capitals have been doing phenomenal at home.
The Flames lineup will look a little different tonight. With the suspension to Matthew Tkachuk for an elbow to the face of Drew Doughty, he won’t play for two games.
Micheal Ferland is also out because of illness and now with Tkachuk out, Curtis Lazar continues to be in the lineup.
Sam Bennett will join the now 2M line on that second line alongside Micheal Frolik and Mikael Backlund. Freddie Hamilton will also be in the lineup tonight, playing on the fourth line with Lazar and Lance Bouma.
i can't believe they would put a non-M on a line w Mikchael. this is illegal
— Flame For Thought (@Flame_4_Thought) March 21, 2017
But something that will stay the same in the lineup? Brian Elliott. Let’s talk about him a little bit.
Former Flame and Stanley Cup Champion, Mike Vernon, has been watching the Flames this season and have been watching and keeping tabs on Brian Elliott. Vernon currently holds the Flames franchise record for longest win streak by a goalie with 11 games. That was back in 1989. You know what else happened in 1989?
😉
Well, Elliott just reached that 11 game mark and if the Flames win tonight, he will set a new record.
Calgary Flames
Via Calgary Flames:
"“Do I mind?” repeats Mike Vernon. “Hell, no. I won’t be losing any sleep if he passes me. Not one wink. Good for him, I say.“Records are made to be broken. That’s the beauty of sport. The game’s different, new guys step up.“That’s what’s exciting.”“What he’s doing?” says Vernon. “So impressive. More impressive than my streak back in the day, for sure. More crucial. A bigger thing. Because points are so hard to come by now. And they’re fighting like crazy to make the playoffs and it’s so tough. Back then, I’m pretty sure we were close to, if not already guaranteed, a playoff spot when I won the 11 in a row.“I mean, in those days 81 or 82 points got you in. Now it gets you a real high draft pick.“The league is so close. Look at the standings. It’s ridiculous. And the three-point games make such a difference.“To get yourself on a roll like this, win 10, 11, 12 games in a row is hard to do.”"
Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your day
Vernon keeping tabs on Elliott’s run (Calgary Flames).
Preview: Calgary Flames at Washington Capitals 3/21/17 (Matchsticks & Gasoline).
Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk suspended 2 games for elbow (CBC Sports).
Breakenridge: Call Bettman for interference in arena talks between Bettman and the city (Calgary Herald).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
NHL 100: Colourful coaches marked NHL’s first 100 years (Winnipeg Free Press).
Playoff picture: Blackhawks cementing lead in West (NHL.com).
Over The Boards: The best not rewarded in NHL’s playoff system (The Star).
USA Hockey, women’s team work to avoid world championship boycott (The Globe and Mail).
Next: Battle of Alberta on the horizon in mid-April?
That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Let’s hope Brian Elliott can be a new record tonight.