With my enthusiasm for the regular season starting to wane, Im finding it difficult to conjure the necessary motivation to come up with one of my typical interesting (and frankly brilliant) posts. As such, I figured some cobbled together odds and ends would suffice.
1.) The Swede, speed and sand line (Nilson, Friesen and Yelle) is getting some attention around town. And while I don't share Conroy's assertion that there "isn't a line in the league playing any better", I do think having a competent 3rd unit (ie; one that can eat up minutes in the offensive zone) has been a significant factor in the Flames recent ressurgance.
2.) The Flames play the red hot San Jose Sharks this evening in another attempt to drive a stake into the hearts of Avs fans everywhere. Like almost every single one of the Flame's other opponents recently, San Jose had a tremendous March, losing only twice in regulation to the Ducks and the Hurricanes. Smoking Joe Thornton rocketed up the scoring charts with 24 points in 14 games and they now have the best PP in the league (22.6%). Did I mention that Nabokov is an excellent goalie again?
Ugh. Perhaps hoping for a Colorado loss tonight is a bit more realistic.
3.) The long anticipated "Flames Central" is opening this weekend. Located in the old Palace theater (and Palace nightclub) space, Flames Central (and Wildfire grill) is basically a huge, hockey themed sports bar. According to the linked article, the place boasts more than 150 LCD screens and seating capacity for 300+. The most brilliant part of this endeavor, however, is probably the fact that the Flames ownership group is managing to leverage their brand without having to declare the subsequent revenues under the collective bargaining agreement with the players. At least, I think that's true under some obscure provision in the newest CBA. The wrinkle had to do with the location of the bar in relation to the Saddledome or something- those of you who are really curious can contact lawyer in training Tyler Dellow (Mudcrutch79), since I'm basing all this on an old post of his which I can longer locate.
Anyways, legal logisitics aside, I think it's safe to say that should a Flames-Blogger get together ever happen in Calgary, this will be the location in which it shall transpire.
4.) No more word on the Lombo signing, meaning the RDS.ca report may have been premature or just plain bogus. BOO! And I was all ready to get a Lombardi customized jersey too...
Anyways, no prediction today, largely because we lost last time I bothered. Just a hearty GO FLAMES GO! mixed with a hope to see the post-season start soon (preferably one that includes Calgary).
PS - The SJ/Calgary contest is being shown on Sportsnet West this evening. It was rumored that there was no TV coverage scheduled for this game previously, but there you go.
