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Tonight’s game between the Calgary Flames and New York Islanders should be much more interesting than most would anticipate, given where the team sit among the NHL standings.
Both sitting outside of a playoff spot, with neither organization setting their hopes too high for a last minute push, tonight’s game would normally feel a little humdrum, if you will. Unfortunately, for those who were expecting just that, tonight’s game should be far from it, at least for Flames fans anyways.
The Calgary Flames will be honoring the jersey of Joe Nieuwendyk who served as a member of the Flames for eight seasons which resulted in a Stanley Cup victory in 1989. The long serving centerman will have a banner sporting his name, number, and his handsome picture hung from the rafters tonight as the organization welcomes him into the “Forever a Flame” club.
"The guy was phenomenal. Anytime you put up the type of numbers he did, play as long as he did, win three Stanley Cups with three different teams ... I mean, his record speaks for itself," said Lanny McDonald.
"And then, even though he doesn't finish his career here in Calgary, it's one of the best all-time trades, where Nieuwendyk goes to Dallas and the Flames get Jarome Iginla.”
"Everybody wins."
That being said, Nieuwendyk’s number will not be retired tonight and remains open to any newcomers. The decision to not retire a few of these numbers is thought to be odd by some, but the organization feels as though honoring said players this way is equally respectful. What do you think?
As mentioned, tonight should be entertaining for Flames fans given the pregame ceremony, but that certainly isn’t the only reason. Fans should have a rare chance to see a good number of their potential future roster players, as the Flames will be icing eight rookies. One player who fans should be especially excited to see will be Tyler Wotherspoon who has yet to play a single NHL game in his career.
So far this year, Wotherspoon(20) has played 48 games with the Abbotsford Heat and has been a big reason for their success. Not an overall flashy defenseman, Tyler has a calming type of play and is quite responsible in his own end. I wouldn’t expect a very big game from the young defenseman tonight, though his skating has continued to improve over the past year and I expect this to translate to any success at the NHL level tonight.
"I've adapted to the pro hockey lifestyle," he explained. "It's a lot different from junior especially. I've grown up as a man and that has really helped me on the ice, developing my position and getting comfortable with the pro style."
"I'm young but I'm growing every day."
In addition to Wotherspoon, the Flames will be icing Reinhart, Granlund, Hanowski, and Knight from the Heat. In fact, tonight there will be 12 players who are all under the age of 25. That is quite impressive, all things considered.
The reason for the number of rookie tonight is due to the injuries which the Flames regulars have endured of late. With Matt Stajan (personal), Curtis Glencross (ankle), T.J. Galiardi (upper body), Kevin Westgarth (concussion), David Jones (shoulder) still out, Dennis Wideman (upper body) and Jiri Hudler (upper body) join that list and are both expected to be out for at least the weekend.
With goaltending Karri Ramo also still out with a knee injury, Joni Ortio will get his third start for the year, and also in a row tonight. Ortio has been playing quite well for the Flames so far, in his early stint, as the netminder currently holds a 1.53 GAA and 0.945 SV %. Not bad for the 22 year old who has just 38 AHL games under his belt.
Tonights expected lines are as follows.
Cammalleri - Backlund - Bouma
Galiardi - Monahan - Colborne
Byron - Granlund - Reinhart
Hanowski - Knight - McGrattan
Brodie - Giordano
Russell - Butler
Smid - Wotherspoon
Ortio
That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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