The Flames will attempt to say goodbye to yesterday tonight with a faceoff against a Colorado Avalanche team that, well, has a solid chance of taking this one. They haven’t played since March 8 while the Flames just finished a three game road trip that ended with back-to-back games – with only a day of rest before tonight.
Not great, but there are compelling storylines to follow tonight and some darker news to address today.
Calgary Flames (31-28-5, 67 pts) vs Colorado Avalanche (40-20-5, 85 pts)
Last Ten: Calgary (6-4-0) Colorado (7-2-1)
Time: 7:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
TV: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet West, Altitude, ESPN+
Correcting Course
We could review this weekend’s results. The 12-3 goal differential. The zero points. Let’s try to keep this as a place of positivity and sum things up with a single picture.
A thousand words.
Pospisil Returns
Speaking of ugly results, Martin Pospisil is finally back after doing time for this hit.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced forward Martin Pospisil has been suspended 3 games without pay for boarding Vince Dunn, Monday night. pic.twitter.com/td5HVLolNy
— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) March 7, 2024
The Flames appeared to revert to their 2-6-2 October form without Connor Zary and Pospisil in the lineup. Just one more indication that the team needs more fresh blood and less high mileage veterans.
A Rare Opportunity
Daniil Miromanov gets to run the first power play in his first game at the Saddledome.
Per Pat Steinberg, here is a quick look at the revised units:
PP1: Huberdeau, Kadri, Sharangovich, Kuzmenko, Miromanov
PP2: Backlund, Pospisil, Mangiapane/Coleman, Andersson, Weegar
Hopefully, the 26-year-old runs with it. You have to imagine scoring a goal or getting a nice assist tonight would be a big step in getting the Russian’s confidence built back up.
Topi Ronni
I’m getting tired of reporting on stuff like this and I’m sure you’re getting tired of hearing about it. Flame Prospect Topi Ronni was found guilty of rape earlier today. His contract with Tappara has been terminated. He’ll never play in the NHL. The former second round pick is done.
Tappara announces that Topi Rönni (CGY) is facing criminal charges for rape. He’ll be withdrawing from team activities until further notice: https://t.co/o71ntsCs63 #Flames
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) October 19, 2023
Good riddance. What an incredibly stupid thing to do.
Update: Per Julian McKenzie, the Flames have officially renounced Rönni's draft rights.
Calgary Flames Projected Lineup
Pelletier-Kadri-Pospisil Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman Huberdeau-Sharangovich-Kuzmenko Hunt-Rooney-Coronato
Kylington-Andersson Weegar-Miromanov Hanley-Pachal
Markstrom Vladar
Colorado Avalanche Projected Lineup
Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Rantanen Nichushkin-Mittelstadt-Drouin Wood-Colton-Trenin Duhaime-Cogliano-Kiviranta
Toews-Makar Girard-Manson Johnson-Walker
Annunen Georgiev
Game time is 7:08 p.m. MST.
Trevor Neufeld
Do you have a friend who would do for you what Spitfires forward Jack Nesbitt did for teammate Spencer Evans? 🫶https://t.co/2sZkwVZK38 via @YouTube
— TrevorNeufeld (@Trevor_Neufeld) March 12, 2024