Calgary Flames Hot Start to the Morning Vol 48

Nov 27, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Bollig (52) and Calgary Flames right wing Brian McGrattan (16) started their friendship off in an obscure sort of way. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Calgary Flames fans!  If you are struggling to get out of bed this morning, just remind yourself, preseason hockey begins TOMORROW NIGHT!

The details were released late last night about a new contest Flame For Thought will be running through the course of the Calgary Flames regular season.  The name of the contest is the “First Goal of the Game Contest“.  The concept is simple, individual articles will posted for individual games and you post who you think will score the first Calgary Flames goal.  Be in the leader after a monthly period of the contest and get yourself invited into the final period of the contest for your chance to win a $150 NHL.com Gift Certificate.  So if are thinking of adding to your jersey or hat collection, whether it be Flames gear or for another NHL club, your chance for a $150 Gift Certificate to the biggest NHL inventory of goodies is coming soon.

One of the quirks about this crazy game of hockey that I love the most is the camaraderie. Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun shines the light on an example that would make a broken toaster heat up:

"“…the last time (Brian) McGrattan reached out to (Brandon) Bollig, he was trying to knock his teeth out during a spirited scrap last November at the Saddledome.“Him and I had a good fight last year, and he was the first one to welcome me on Twitter, so that was good,” Bollig said. “Any other sport, I don’t know if you would be buddies like that, but he’s one of the guys that I’ve talked to the most since I’ve been here.”"

Here is the Calgary Flames training camp schedule for today.  Once again it is at Winsport and once again it is open to the public.  If any Flame For Thought’ers are in attendance, tweet your thoughts while your there and it might make the next article.

"SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 201410:00 AM – Game – Team B (Nieuwendyk) vs. Team C (Vernon) – Snyder-WinSport10:00 AM – Practice – Team A (McDonald) – Arena C11:00 AM – Game – Team A (McDonald) vs. Team B (Nieuwendyk) – Snyder11:00 AM – Practice – Team C (Vernon) – Arena C"

Have a great day Flames fans!