The Calgary Flames still have a couple days off before they finish off their homestand on Monday night. Let’s check out some Flames news.
The Calgary Flames continue their three-day break today after spending last night at Mikael Backlund and his wife’s, Frida, charity event for ALS. They play again on Monday night as they finish off their season-long seven-game home stand against the St. Louis Blues.
On Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, there were some scares after Mike Smith, who’s been a force so far this season, seemed to have some discomfort in his wrist after making a blocker save. However, it seems that now, he’s fine.
It did look like good news during the game since he went to the bench to get it checked out by the trainer. But he ultimately returned. There were still some worries that his wrist may be a problem, but again, it looks like it’ll be fine.
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Via Calgary Sun:
"“A long time ago, I went in net and those glove saves look so easy,” Gulutzan said. “Every shot that came felt like I got hit with a 95-an-hour fastball in my hand. I’m like, ‘How do you guys do this?’ They’re like, ‘Well … you don’t catch it with your hand.’ How can you even do that — it’s coming so fast? Sometimes they catch these things and it hurts more than you’d think.“But they’re so good at catching it in the webbing. He got a couple in the hand and it stung him — like a 95-an-hour fastball that you catch a little awkwardly.”"
After allowing five goals on 21 shots against the Vancouver Canucks, Smith definitely redeemed himself after stopping 38 of 41 shots he raced against the Red Wings to bring the Flames to their fourth win in six games. So it’s great to hear that his wrist is fine.
Speaking of injuries, it seems like Travis Hamonic is set to return quite soon. He has been out for a couple of games after getting slightly injured during practice one day. But he seems to be doing well and is skating and practicing.
"“He seems to be on track,” Gulutzan said. “(Sunday), that’ll be the pivotal day for Travis.”"
Which means that if he returns, we’ll probably be seeing Rasmus Andersson sent back down after having a successful night alongside Brett Kulak against the Red Wings. Andersson and Kulak had the best CF% among the Calgary Flames defencemen against the Red Wings. They both had 54.84%.
Some links surrounding the Flames
Flames’ Smith OK after scare during Thursday’s win over Wings (Calgary Sun).
Magical win over Red Wings just what Flames need to turn it on (Calgary Sun).
JOHNNY BE UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! (Calgary Flames).
McDonald’s sports hall of fame induction big win for Flames (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Hughes poised to follow Eichel, Matthews as NHL’s next great American (Sportsnet).
Shipachyov: Russian players should think before leaving for NHL (Sportsnet).
6 things we learned in the NHL: There’s no place like home (Sportsnet).
Luongo, Holtby earn milestone wins (NHL.com).
Next: Top five players through first 15 games
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!