News and Notes – February 19 2014
By Ryan Pike
10 years ago
The Calgary Flames returned to the Scotiabank Saddledome ice for the first time since the beginning of the Olympics this afternoon. Onlookers – and there was a shockingly large media contingent there – were treated to a surprisingly brisk 60-minute on-ice session.
Here’s a quick rundown of the news of the day.
- Netminder Karri Ramo was not on the ice, as he’s been recovering from an MCL injury he suffered prior to the Olympics. According to coach Bob Hartley, he’s in the gym and progressing, but considering Ramo didn’t skate (either alone or with the group), they seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach. My guess is if he’s still not ready by Monday, he gets put on IR and they begin prepping Ortio for some game action.
- Curtis Glencross skated alone for about five minutes prior to the practice and took a brief spin around the ice with his teammates prior to heading off. He didn’t do any contact, he didn’t really skate hard or for awhile, so I’m a bit pessimistic that he’ll be ready for next week’s game against the Kings. He remains on the IR.
- Obviously, recently dispatched Olympians Ladislav Smid (Czech Republic) and Reto Berra (Switzerland) are still in Russia. Both are expected to fly back soon, so I imagine both will be back before Monday.
- With no Ramo and no Berra, the Flames operated with recent AHL call-up Joni Ortio and 2000 1st rounder Brent Krahn in net. Krahn, despite putting on some weight, looked pretty good. Krahn’s post-practice media scrum was also absolutely hilarious and he was obviously very happy and excited to be part of the team, if only for a few days.
- Also recalled from Abbotsford was Derek Smith. The Flames also announced that AHLer Lane MacDermid – acquired from Dallas in one of Jay Feaster’s last moves – has been suspended for failing to report to the Heat after the AHL All-Star Break. MacDermid was a healthy scratch in the last two Heat games prior to the All-Star Break, with head coach Troy G. Ward using guys like Corey Locke, Trevor Gillies and Brett Olson over MacDermid. His stock has obviously fallen.
- For the curious, Flames lines looked nearly identical to how they ended the road trip: Hudler – Backlund – Stempniak, Cammalleri – Monahan – Colborne, Jones – Stajan – Bouma and Westgarth – Galiardi – McGrattan. Byron appears to be the extra forward.
- It also appears that the Flames will wear their retro third jerseys against the LA Kings next week, rather than the “new” cowboy thirds.
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