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Calgary Flames Daily: David Rittich gets first start of season

By Ramina Shlah

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dallas Stars center Gemel Smith (46) gets the puck up and over Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith (41) for a goal during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames on November 24, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Dallas beats Calgary 6-3. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dallas Stars center Gemel Smith (46) gets the puck up and over Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith (41) for a goal during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames on November 24, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Dallas beats Calgary 6-3. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Calgary Flames will be playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. David Rittich will get his first start of the season.

The Calgary Flames will be playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. This is their third back-to-back of the season. They’re currently 1-1-0 this season in their second games of back-to-backs.

Two days ago, Eddie Lack was put on waivers and cleared yesterday morning. He was sent down to Stockton and David Rittich was recalled. Rittich in the AHL is 5-1-0 with an SV% of 0.931. GM Brad Treliving says that Lack needs to get some games in and he can have that opportunity down in Stockton.

Tonight, Rittich will get his first start of the season. He made his NHL debut last season in the last game of the regular season last year. He only played in the third period and let in one goal on 10 shots.

Related Story: Eddie Lack sent down, David Rittich recalled

Via Calgary Flames:

"“Ritty’s going to come in and play,” head coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed. “All reports down there have been that he’s been very good. We’ve got two guys who have been really playing well down there so we’ll come in and see what he’s got tonight in a back-to-back.”“We made sure we told him last night on the plane that he was going so he would get a full day to prepare, get his mind right,” Gulutzan said.“We know he’s a battler, you can really tell that in practice, and it’s a good opportunity for him to come in a game – both teams are back-to-back – and show us what he can do.”"

On the other end of the rink, Jonathan Bernier will get the nod between the pipes. So far this season, he’s 4-4-1 with an SV% of 0.901. Last season vs. the Flames, Berner went 2-1-0 with an SV% of 0.833. A notable game was in December when the Flames won 8-3 against the Anaheim Ducks and Berner let in eight goals on just 25 shots.

The Flames will be trying to recover from their loss vs. the Dallas Stars last night, a game they thought they were going to win. This is the first time they lost two in a row since Oct. 27.

Some links surrounding the Flames

Flames shoot themselves in Dallas (Calgary Sun).

GameDay: Flames at Avalanche (Calgary Sun).

Heads up, kid! Flames call-up Rittich thrilled to share ice with Czech legend (Calgary Sun).

Rittich gets the nod in Denver (Calgary Flames).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Golden Knights keep on rolling at home (NHL.com).

Brian Boyle scores winner for Devils on ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Night’ (CBC Sports).

Hockey Fights Cancer: Hearts on their sleeves (Montreal Canadiens).

Why former NHLer Riley Cote wants hockey to embrace cannabis (Sportsnet).

Next: Johnny Gaudreau could win Art Ross this season

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!

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