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Calgary Flames Finding Success? Oh, and Iginla is Coming Back!

December 9, 2013, 10:15 AM ET [41 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
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A somewhat depleted Calgary Flames roster have managed to win three of their last four games played, all while improving their last ten game record to 5-4-1.

Still with injuries to Curtis Glencross, Sean Monahan, and TJ Galiardi, the Flames depth has been tested all year as their captain has only just returned from missing 18 games. If going through a rebuild isn’t a big enough challenge for a team and their coaching staff, the Flames have already been credited with 87MGL(Man games lost) which is good for 12th in the league.

While it has certainly been a challenge for this group so far in the year, they have displayed some strong hockey, while at times have also been quite noncommittal. That said, the Flames are currently sitting three points stronger than the Oilers in the Western Conference, with two games in hand, and place 26th overall. Point is – though it’s going to be a gloomy year or two for the Flames, keeping sight of the positives will help to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.

With that in mind, Jarome Iginla and the Boston Bruins will be visiting the Calgary Flames tomorrow night for the first time since the longstanding captain of the Calgary Flames was traded last year. Expected to be a big night for Iginla, many Flames fans hold that they will cheer their former captain on during the game, despite playing for the wrong team. It will certainly be an interesting night for both sides as many current Flames players did not get the chance to play alongside Iginla.

What I will be interested in seeing is whether or not the occasion, if you will, will inspire a solid performance from Iginla. Perhaps the veteran forward decides to drop the gloves with Lane Macdermid(if he plays), or maybe he comes out with the intention to dazzle and walks away with a multi-point night?

Either way, there is much anticipation for this game, though I don’t think anyone is as excited and nervous as is Jarome himself.

“It still feels like I’m coming home,” said Iginla “It’s not just the hockey side of it but the city — I grew up there for a lot of years. I’m excited about being back in the west and the mountains. The size, the familiarity, the friends and knowing how to get around and how friendly people are. I definitely loved my time in Calgary. It feels weird not having a place there.”

"We aren’t there long, and I want to stay as focused as I can because I want to play well”


Despite being the captain of the Flames for nearly 10 years and essentially the leader and face of the franchise, Jarome has taken a much less prominent role with the Bruins while adding to the veteran leadership of their dressing room. The 36 year old winger has registered 17 points in 30 games with Boston so far, logging an average of 18:24 per game.

What are you hoping or excited for tomorrow night? Will you sport your Iginla jersey to the game if you are attending? Will you cheer him on if he scores, or is it all business with you and only Flames related goals or success will be cheered for?

On another note, with the recent success of the Flames, some of their statistics have also improved. Having one of, if not the worst PK in the league not too long ago, Calgary has improved to 17th overall allowing only one powerplay goal in their last eight kills.

What's more? Well, the Flames also lead the league in shorthanded goals with six total, compared to the league average of two. Not bad for a team missing so many key players and who are also rebuilding, I'd say!

That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading
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