Game Day! Season Opener Flames V Flyers
Calgary Flames (0-0-0) v
Philadelphia Flyers (0-0-0)
Game Time: 8:00PM
Coverage: CBC, Fan 960
With much anticipation the 2007-08 NHL hockey season is about to begin for the Calgary Flames. The team has been somewhat rebuilt, they look stronger (on paper at least) and the fans are ready to cheer them on for another cup run.
New Flames Ready to Roll in Opener
There are a number of new Flames, most notably on defence and on the bench. For starters new head coach Mike Keenan is facing a team he coached back in 1984--of course much has changed since then. New faces in the line up include: F Owen Nolan, D Adrian Aucoin, D Cory Sarich, D Anders Eriksson, G Curtis McElhinney. All of the D should see action tonight.
The opposition has seen their share of changes as well, namely: Briere, Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul, Kimmo Timonen and new captain Jason Smith.
Many fans are still in the feeling out process when it comes to judging, I mean, figuring out, new coach Keenan. Will he lead the troops to the promised land? Or is this just an implosion waiting to happen? The keys are in place from G to F, all that remains to be seen is if the team itself will show up with a promising effort.
Kiprusoff is no surprise starting in net. Defensive pairings will see a new face on every line. Nolan, the upgrade to last year's Tony Amonte is penciled in as starting RW on the second line--assuming his groin is good to go. Another new face on the forth line in Warren Peters may emerge but chances are Lombardi will be good to go and Peters will sit.
Get to the Dome early today if you're heading to the game--20/20 opens up the tailgate party starting at 6:30. The weather is a bit chilly, but hey, would you prefer a balmy +20 day for the launch of hockey? With that in mind make some noise wherever it is you're watching or listening to the game. 2007-08 could very well be our year if the pieces fall where they need to fall. GO FLAMES GO!