Flames fired up for season

Last season, the Calgary Flames hit their peak in December when they reeled off a stretch of 11 games without losing in regulation.

During that time, Calgary also compiled an impressive six-game road winning streak.

The Flames followed that up with winning streaks of five games and four games before petering out down the stretch and losing their first-round playoff series in seven games to the San Jose Sharks.

This season, the Flames want to begin the season with the same intensity they showed last December.

“Everybody wants to start well,” summed up goalie Miikka Kiprusoff. “At the end of the season there’s not too much difference between teams so you have to be able to start winning right away.”

While the Flames have made several key additions up front, the back end will remain relatively the same with Robyn Regehr and Dion Phaneuf anchoring the blue-line and Kiprusoff solidly entrenched as the No. 1 netminder.

Captain Jarome Iginla will once again be counted upon to lead the way offensively, but he’s excited about his supporting cast which includes newcomers Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Cammalleri, Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross.

“We’re really exciting about the guys that are joining us,” said Iginla, while noting the Flames are solid at centre with Daymond Langkow, Matthew Lombardi, Craig Conroy, Wayne Primeau and several wingers who can fill in as well up the middle. “We want to get better and get this thing started.”

PRE-SEASON PROWESS
After playing four pre-season games each, Dustin Boyd and David Moss had compiled seven points each to lead the Flames.

In 48 games last season, Boyd scored seven times and added five assists and now the 22-year-old Winnipeg native would like to prove he can play a bigger role offensively.

“I’ve felt pretty good,” Boyd told Rogers Sportsnet while cautioning, “it’s only pre-season.”
Meanwhile, Moss is hoping to rebound from a four-goal, seven-assist outing in 41 games for the Flames last season. The year before, the 26-year-old forward scored 10 times and added eight helpers in the same amount of contests.

READY AND WILLING
When called upon, netminder Curtis McElhinney will do his utmost to perform well in goal for the Flames this season.

After three seasons in the American Hockey League, McElhinney will be counted upon to back up Kiprusoff.

The 25-year-old Calgarian stopped all 19 shots he faced to blank the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 in exhibition action on Tuesday.

“I didn’t see a lot of shots but there were some good quality ones,” McElhinney told the Fan 960. “I certainly feel good going into the regular season.”