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Flames Keep Rolling; Goalie Controversy? |
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Boy let me say, the Calgary Flames are looking good and that kid between the pipes…wow.
Having now played four straight games for the Flames, 23 year old Joni Ortio has provided his team the chance to win every night and the Flames have accumulated eight points with him tending the net.
Most recently against the LA Kings, Ortio was peppered with several chances and stood tall. He flashed the leather often and certainly frustrated the hell out of a Kings offense who were already having troubles scoring to begin with.
Oh, and that rookie Sean Monahan. He looked great.
Ha.
On a more serious note, the Flames have now moved into a slightly more comfortable playoff position after a win last night, being one point behind the Sharks, and two behind the Canucks.
Who woulda thunk!?
While the game wasn’t overly exciting by any means given that the Kings play a strong defensive game and hemmed the Flames in their own end for a good part of the game, Calgary stuck it in there with one of the best teams in the league in recent memory and came back from a one goal deficit.
They really don’t have any quit in them and seem to be able to battle through adversity…something teams simply can’t put a price tag on.
In preparation for puck drop at the Honda Center tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary made a few roster moves this morning.
Forward Drew Shore has been sent to the Adirondack Flames of the AHL, and defenceman Tyler Wotherspoon has been recalled.
Since coming to Calgary via trade, Shore has only played one game for the Flames and he will enter the AHL with 30 points in 35 AHL games under his belt, accumulated with San Antonio earlier this season. Shore was brought in to the organization after they seemingly gave up on centerman Corban Knight.
Along with today's minor callups, the Flames have placed defenceman Ladislav Smid on the IR, and have also activated Karri Ramo who has been out since December 8th with an undisclosed injury.
With Smid now on the IR, the recalling of Wotherspoon from Adirondack makes sense but there is no official word if he will draw into the lineup on Wednesday. Wotherspoon has been playing some confident and respectful hockey in the A of late and will make the most of this call up, likely getting some time on the blueline after the All-Star Break.
With Ramo now off the IR now, the Flames will have three goaltenders. Joni Ortio has been lights out for Calgary since being called up and it would be nothing but cruel to send him back down anytime soon; he’s worked hard and deserves to play.
It will be interesting to see if any goalie controversies come about as a result of this, but as I mentioned the other day, I would put some money on the Flames looking to move a goalie in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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