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It's Put Up Or Shut Up Time

March 20, 2012, 3:28 PM ET [39 Comments]
Shaune Vetter
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
When the Colorado Avalanche made the moves they did at the deadline, many thought that it meant they were effectively giving up on the 2011-2012 season. After all, it's not often that you'd trade away players who were a part of your regular lineup like T.J. Galiardi, Daniel Winnik, and Kyle Quincey, for players with admitted potential but underwhelming performance like Steve Downie and Jamie McGinn, it's expected that you're essentially looking towards the future.

Apparently no-one passed the message down to the dressing room as the Avalanche have compiled a 6-1-1 record in their last 8 games to stay in the playoff hunt and are currently holding down the 8th seed in the tightly contested Western Conference. They are currently two points ahead of the 11th place Calgary Flames are will be looking to put some distance between themselves and the Flames tonight. Jamie McGinn has been particularly good since the trade scoring 7 goals and 10 points in the 10 games since the deadline.

As for the Flames, they simply need to start winning again. A weekend that saw them lose to the two lowest ranked teams in the league may have been the straw that broke the camel's back unless the Flames can find a way to start another decent winning streak. Having tonight's opponent be one of the teams that Calgary is chasing only adds to the importance of this game as a loss tonight to essentially sound the death-knell on the Flames season.

Intensity will be key for the Flames. If there's one resounding feeling that came from the weekend's losses, it was that the Flames looked completely unprepared for the puck drop in either contest since they didn't even come close to matching the compete level of their opponents. If the Flames are to have any hope to stay in the playoff hunt, they'll need to display some desperation and desire as they face a team who certainly attaches as much importance to this game as the Flames do. If the Flames come out flat once again, it could be a long night.

Calgary has won all four meetings between the two clubs this season and nine consecutive overall. Tonight will be the last meeting of the season in Colorado with one more game to come in Calgary next Friday. If the Flames can continue their dominance over the Avs, their post-season hopes can stay on life-support.

Calgary has an impressive 14-5-0 record against Northwest division opponents.

The Flames have the league's 3rd best road powerplay striking 22 times in 102 opportunities for a 21.6% success rate.

Miikka Kiprusoff will get the start, and may not see the bench again until the Flames are either in or eliminated.

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Theoren Fleury's book "Playing With Fire" was met with much critical acclaim as it chronicled the former NHL star's life and struggles with addiction and abuse as well his success on the ice and stuggles off of it. Kristie McLellan Day has written a play based on the book and it will be produced by Alberta Theater Projects. Alberta Theater Projects has generously offered HockeyBuzz readers a discount in tickets to see the show, and the details are as follows:

Hockey Buzz readers are eligible for 15% off tickets to see Playingwith Fire: The Theo Fleury Story by Kirstie McLellan Day basedon the life of Theo Fleury premiering at Alberta Theatre Projects May 1-19,2012. Call our box office at (403) 294-7402 to book your tickets with the promocode REDLINE.Offer available until April 17th!

A direct link to purchase tickets can be found here

Have a great day!

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