Hot Off The Press...

[Owen-Moncton]

Hot Off The Press: Flames Burn Aces

Moncton left Adirondack last night, taking two points from the defending cup champs with them in what was a hard-fought 2-1 road win.

Loui Eriksson added his ninth of the season - a team best - after Mike Fisher broke the seal on the game for the home team. Defender Ryan McDonagh notched the winner while on a powerplay in the second, his first as a Flame.

"Nice to get that first one, and it's great that it got us the two points, but I'm less concerned about goal-scoring than I am about keeping it out of our end".

"Mac-Truck has been amazing for us all year regardless of whatever his point totals are", said Coach R.J. Huntley following the win. "He blocks a ton of shots and he plays tough minutes against the best players in the GHL...it takes a special player to stand up to that and he's been a tremendous leader so far for us". "Once again, shot suppression was real good, and we kept them to the outside and let Hank (Lundqvist) see the puck".

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 24 of 25 shots on the night, for his ninth win of the season.

Niklas Hjalmarsson joined McDonagh on the top pairing, adding a shot and three blocks, while keeping the Aces top line off the scoresheet.

"Bergeron and Iginla are a handful, no question, but we got ourselves into a rhythm early and we did a good job out there against them".

Asked how he feels about joining the Flames, Hjalmarsson had this to say: "The guys have been very encouraging and welcoming and it's a great environment where everyone has their eye on the prize, which is to get something done here and earn a playoff spot".

Moncton hosts Syracuse on Thursday night and it is anticipated that Karri Ramo gets the start.

[Owen-Moncton]

Flames drop a Close One on the Road

After a commanding 3-1 victory versus Hartford, the Flames looked poised to make it three in a row in New Jersey, but the home team had other plans for the evening.
Moncton fell behind 3-1 after opening the scoring on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, only to come roaring back in the third to knot it up at three apiece. Late-game penalty trouble gave Jersey all the opportunity they needed to bury their fourth and deciding goal.

Once again, the performance of backup goalie Karri Ramo came under fire, but coach Huntley didn't hesitate to come to his player's defense:
"Ramo stopped almost twice the number of shots we took all night as a team, and we spent a good deal of the third period in the box...Jersey scores on a five-on-three in the last two minutes of the game, and you wanna talk about my goalie"? Really, guys"?

Huntley continued: "Here's what I saw... we're a skating team and we're a shooting team and when you aren't moving your feet, you're likely taking penalties, and when you're taking an inordinate number of penalties, you're most likely fatigued, and that's what you saw tonight..second game of back-to-back games, sixth period and we run out of gas...no excuses, but that's what I saw...nothing to do with goaltending". "Two delay of game penalties in the same sixty seconds? can't argue with those calls, it's all about our conditioning and our fatigue level at that point".

Defender Jared Spurgeon had a goal and two assists on the night, but he was in a less than celebratory mood post-game:
"We didn't come prepared, plain and simple...we got into penalty trouble right out of the gate and they were better four-on-four and we found ourselves behind the eight ball behind pretty quick...it's sorta tough to take when you claw your way back and tie it up then you lose it in the last couple minutes, but we'll have a day off tomorrow then get back to work and fix a couple things".

Moncton hosts Ottawa Tuesday night. It is expected Henrik Lundqvist will start for the Flames.

[Owen-Moncton]

Hot Off The Press: King Hank Bags Fifth Shutout

Upon welcoming newcomers Boyd Gordon and Alexi Lemelin to the fold, the Flames blanked the Ottawa Spartans 1-0 at the fabled Firehouse in Moncton.
Flames goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 42 Spartan pucks to pick up his league-leading fifth shutout of the season, earning him the famous fire chief's helmet post-game.
"You love getting it done for your boys out there, but you gotta acknowledge what a good job they've done all year of suppressing shots, working guys to the outside and out of the danger areas...tonight, we saw a little more rubber than usual but again, they were mostly primary chances and the boys did a great job of letting me see the puck, so it's really as much a team accolade as it is a personal one".

At present, "Hank" is tops in all goalie stat categories with a save percentage of .952 and a very healthy 1.31 goals-against average.

Reluctant hero Peter Holland continues to get it done on the top line, scoring the lone goal of the night from the slot where he tipped a Cal Clutterbuck half-clapper that Michal Neuvirth couldn't track. Holland led the team in both shots (five - tied with Leo Komarov) and blocks (4) while adding three hits, earning second-star honours. Holland's 6 goals and 15 assists equate to a team-best 21 points.

"it was no Picasso out there, that's for sure", said Holland, "...but it was a character win...we kept a good team that shot a ton of rubber our way off the scoresheet and we picked up a pair of points here at home for the fans, so all in all a pretty good night".

While arrivals Alexi Lemelin and Boyd Good played a safe, relatively quiet first game in Moncton uni's, fellow newcomer Niklas Hjalmarsson had himself a night picking up twelve minutes in penalties and a game misconduct for some less than gentlemanly conduct late in the third. Coach Huntley did not make Hjalmarsson available to the media after the game. No word on supplemental league discipline at this stage.

The Pharaohs of Philadelphia will drop by tomorrow night and coach Huntley will be hoping to get a more complete effort out of his charges than demonstrated recently versus New Jersey. Moncton lost the plot in the third period, spending much of the final frame short-handed.

Currently fifth overall in the Campbell conference and second in the Smythe division with 28 points. It will be interesting to see if the Flames can continue the march toward both respectability and perhaps a shot at post season glory next spring.

[Owen-Moncton]

Hot Off the Press: Flames Hot Streak Extends to Four

The GHL's surprise success story at the quarter-turn this season is without a doubt, the Moncton Flames.
With 34 points on the season, the 16-8-2 Flames are getting it done in the Smythe, sitting second behind Quebec and fourth in the Campbell conference.
Stingy goaltending, rock solid defense throughout the lineup and depth scoring from secondary contributors has the Flames third overall in terms of win-loss history over the last 15 games with an impressive 10-3-2 record.
Only Cleveland (11-3-1) and Hartford (12-2-1) have out-performed the Moncton squad during that period, and while it may be early to talk playoffs, the trend certainly suggests that it is possible.

"We can't look too far ahed, but we like the effort and we like the result, obviously", said GM Owen Durkin, adding: "what's encouraging is how hard the group is working every night; everyone is buying in to Coach Huntley's methods, and we're keeping the high-scoring chances in our end to a minimum".

Goaltender Karri Ramo got his first win as a Flame last night versus Hershey, giving Henrik Lundqvist the night off: "Nice to get the boys a win; they gave me lots of goal support, and it's a relief personally; gives me something to build off of, fore sure".

Moncton scored five on 36 shots, with unlikely hero Cal O'Reilly scoring twice - once on the powerplay and once shorhanded - after Bars sure-shot Sam Gagner sniped a pair to put the Flames behind by two heading into the dressing room after one.

"That late goal in the first took the wind out of our sails, no question, but we have some veteran guys in our room who have been through every situation you can imagine and we just buttoned it down and got to work", said Cal Clutterbuck post-game.

Despite injuries to centremen Ryan Getzlaf and newcomer Boyd Gordon, Moncton has found a way to put points on the board and wins in the appropriate column and the mood around the Firehouse is upbeat as a result.

Getzlaf returns to the lineup later this week, pending evaluation.

Don't book your April tee-times just yet, Fames fans; this could be an interesting year in Moncton.

[Owen-Moncton]

Hot Off The Press: Flames Win Nine of Ten

In what has been a whirlwind season for the Moncton Flames chock-full of trades and transactions leading to the installation of a revamped core group, the GHL's one-time whipping-boys are staking their claim for a legitimate shot at post season action.

Perennial cellar-dwellers, this year's Flames group has figured out a couple things and it is showing in the standings.

"Defense wins...and that means you defend as a group, not just wait for the guys on the blue line to do the lifting and feed you the puck", says GM Owen Durkin, continuing: "We like how our group plays; the wingers sag back in our own end and help take care of the puck, allowing us to break out as a group without stranding anyone...being on the right side of the puck more often than not, and in all zones, means you usually end up on the right side of the score sheet when it all washes out".

While Moncton may not have one single player featured in the top 10, four Flames defenders have 60 or more blocks, and eight forwards have blocked at least 20 shots, indicating a level of buy-in in terms of team-wide accountability that we haven't seen previously in Moncton.

"Nobody enjoys laying down in front of pucks, but if that's what you're called on to do in order to hold a lead, you do it, no question", said team leader Ryan McDonagh, who has a team-leading 79 blocks, good for 14th in the league.

"Our focus is on keeping pucks out of high-percentage areas, letting our goaltender track the puck, regaining possession rapidly, and breaking it out as a unit", said Flames coach R.J. Huntley. "We protect the house by collapsing back, then we battle to take away secondary chances and execute a transition based on our available options...at times, we'll readjust and pressure the points if we identify that the opposition has trouble holding the blue line, and we'll use our team speed to counter-punch in those situations, but that's not a primary strategy; that's a situational read-and-react adjustment we'll make if and when we see a hole we can exploit".

If there is one word to sum up how Moncton plays, and to date, succeeds; it's the word "layers". Layers of depth in terms of scoring options, layers of screens in terms of how they set up in the offensive zone, and layers of defense, many of whom could be considered top-pairing assets on any team.

"I like our D core a lot...they can pretty much all slide up and down the roster in order to give us the matchups we want, and RJ is a pretty adept strategist...he gets it right more often than not", Said Durkin.

While all appears well in Moncton, one has to wonder when the worm will turn and the success both fans and the players are enjoying will flame out.
"Listen, our guys all know where we stand...we are at the top of a development cycle in terms of striking while we have the chance to win, and we are built to win now and reward Moncton's fans with the post season action they deserve". Durkin continues: "We've told our group to consider the remainder of this season an 'extended tournament', if you will...we are together for a finite period of time, so let's dial it in, get amped up, and get it done out there and let's bring Flames fans a conference final...what happens after the fact...well, we're gonna need to reload and think about the long-term, but our focus is obviously on the now, and capitalizing on the opportunity to get something done this year".

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Moncton Blanks Baltimore, Hank Earns Another Donut

Moncton's mighty Flames brought the Skipjacks' four-game unbeaten streak to a halt last night, thanks to some solid special teams work, and another workmanlike effort by the GHL's top tendy, Henrik Lundqvist, who has earned back to back shutouts, surrendering just one goal in 180 minutes, despite 94 shots faced.

"We're thinking of officially changing his nickname to Krispy Kreme", joked captain Ryan Getzlaf, who assisted on Leo Komarov's power play winner in the third period.

Lundqvist earned his seventh "donut" of the season stopping all 29 shots faced by a determined Baltimore squad.

"Always nice to get the shutout, but the 'W' is all that really matters here, and the boys did a great job of clearing rebound opportunities and taking care of the puck, so it's really a team accolade even if it's my name on the ledger".


Moncton will take the better part of a week to heal up and get ready for the rematch versus Baltimore on the seventh. While Lucas Sbisa remains on I.R. until January 23rd, winger Tomas Fleischmann, who has been dinged up a few times already this season, will re-emerge, adding some secondary support, especially in the face off circle, where he has been surprisingly effective.

"The re-hab is going well...I think we rushed it a bit last month, and I had a bit of a setback, but with the added break here, I'm doing lots of work with the trainers and we'll be doing full-contact drills this week...really anxious to get going and start contributing to what we have going here...it's exciting, no question".

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames and Hartford Broker a Blockbuster

After weeks of serious negotiations with a myriad of potential suitors, Moncton Flames GM Owen Durkin pulled the trigger on a deal which sent the club's most talented - if not most productive - centreman to conference rivals the Hartford Mariners in a multiplayer blockbuster that has sent waves of shock around the league.

"Of course, we are aware of the implications of splitting the brothers up, and what this means to the GHL", said GM Durkin, continuing: "especially when you're dealing with another very competitive team within your conference...Jed (Folks, GM of Hartford) and I came to terms this morning and I commend him on taking a pretty bold step, but one that he feels helps his club as much as we feel it helps ours".

Giving up on a bona fide top centreman with legendary passing skills is not to be taken lightly, especially given the price paid to acquire him.
"Getzy is a character guy and his production in Moncton is nowhere near indicative of his talent level...and while the original idea was to look for a comparable centreman, coach Huntley suggested that he'd be very comfortable with moving Leo Komarov into the two-hole, and refocussing our search around a skilled veteran winger with net presence and an ability to forecheck and sustain the cycle down low...there aren't many more qualified than Daniel Sedin in that regard, and we feel our fans will be ecstatic to welcome a one-time Flame back to the fold, especially during a year in which we feel confident that we can challenge for a conference championship".

"Obviously, this is new territory for us...we haven't played away from each other at any serious level, and it will take some getting used to, but I've sorta kept the Flame alive, if you'll pardon the pun and it's great to be going back to a team where my roots are...I think we can do something significant this year, and as tough as it will be to see Henrik in a different jersey, I am excited to be getting started back in Moncton".

Asked if he ever imagined himself plying his trade without his twin alongside him, Sedin was visibly emotional: "That's a fair question...when you get drafted together, and then come up through the system together, you wonder how long you can stay in the same pro setting...it was time for us to try something different, I think, and while I loved my time in Hartford, the family and I are looking forward to reacquainting with the Moncton community".

Winger Jamie McGinn will likely see an increase in responsibility and production in Moncton, who will certainly benefit from his presence on the third line.
"McGinn is a perfect fit with our style of play:, said coach Huntley, "he hits, he has smarts and he is heavy in the offensive zone...and he doesn't get himself into penalty trouble...our scouts and our coaching staff have gone over a bunch of tape, and we feel that if we can work with him on his footspeed, he has second-line potential, but the grit, the head for the game, his reads and his willingness to work hard make him a very valuable addition...real lunchpail type, but lots of skill and upside...his shot will surprise you".

Ryan Getzlaf was unavailable for comment according to the Flame's P.R. people, however, he will likely make a statement once his U.S. visa is finalized and he settles in Hartford.

The addition of Sedin as well as McGinn make the Flames deeper offensively as well as grittier and heavier beyond the top six. While the team's defense and goaltending have been their calling cards, adding a skilled offensive weapon makes the Flames all the more formidable as the GHL ramps up for what is sure to be one of the most heated playoff races in league history.

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames GM Listening to Calls on King Henrik?

Legendary GHL enforcer-cum-analyst Fisty McKnuckles reports that in the wake of the Sedin-Getzlaf blockbuster earlier this week, phone lines have been burning up and the focus of the conversations is none other than the league's top goaltender this season, Henrik Lundqvist. With seven shutouts to date, along with outstanding save percentage and goals-against numbers, it would seem unlikely that Flames GM Owen Durkin could contemplate such a move, but where there is smoke, fire is not far behind.

Many of the recent negotiations involving the former Flames centreman also included Lundqvist, however the deal that appealed most was the one made. Does that mean outstanding negotiations involving Lundqvist are off the table?

"Obviously, there is no urgency in Moncton in terms of our goaltending...I mean, Hank is a stud, and we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge how much he has done for our franchise", stated Durkin. "Regarding any additional moves, we aren't in any rush at this stage as we feel we have the horses to go deep, but make no mistake - we are in it to win it, and if something comes up which improves our club this year, we are committed and our players understand that this season is to be considered 'extended tournament play', for lack of a better description...are we soliciting offers? hell no, but we always listen".

The future of Henrik Lundqvist in Moncton will most certainly come to an end, given the 'extended tournament' mentality the team has embraced, and the player no doubt understands as much. How long his tenure in Moncton remains to be seen.

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames Announce Internal Trade Moratorium

Yesterday, legendary GHL enforcer-cum-analyst Fisty McKnuckles poured gas on the fire by breaking the news regarding trade talks featuring goalie extraordinaire Henrik Lundqvist.
This morning, McKnuckles submitted the following communique:

"I have it on good authority - being GM Owen Durkin directly - that Moncton will impose a trade freeze starting at 12:01 the morning of February 1st, 2017".

"Fisty, there has been a noticeable increase in anxiety following the (Getzlaf) trade around the dressing room...we wanted to get out in front of it and get our guys focused on the task at hand, being a shot at a championship...for that reason, we informed our group after the morning skate that there will be no further player movement as of February first, save for normal internal player movement within our system".

"While Durkin isn't ruling out negotiations between now and the February drop-dead date, there are no pressing issues in terms of roster". McKnuckles continues: "The Flames are prepared to march into battle with the current group, no question...they feel they have all they need to make some noise this year, and it would be tough to argue against that point of view, given their record to date".

Just how far the Flames end up going this season is yet to be determined, but to date, the 2016-17 season has been one to remember for Flames fans, and with the possibility of playoffs looming larger as we head into the home stretch prior to post season, the excitement is only going to increase.

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Is Moncton Flaming Out?


Since the departure of Ryan Getzlaf, the Moncton Flames have been winless, dropping two very win-able decisions in what can only be defined as head-scratching fashion.
The skid started with a 4-3 loss to Hershey, in which they generated thirteen more shots while surrendering four more power play opportunities.Hershey netted a pair of goals with the man advantage for the win. In the following game, Boston bested the home squad 3-1 despite being outshot by a margin of ten, while surrendering five more power plays than they received. To add insult to injury, it was Boston's fourth line which did all the damage, despite Moncton bench boss R.J. Huntley's attempt to bring balance on the back end by moving Jared Spurgeon into the five-spot.

"Tough way to lose...we shut down their top six - top nine, actually - and out-chanced them all night long at even strength and with the man advantage, and we let the two points slip away", said Huntley, post-game. "The Hershey game was maybe a bit of a trap game, ad we came out hard right out of the gate at home against Boston...we scored first, matched them in shots, defended well and pretty much took over in terms of possession, but we didn't get the result".

"It's not often we get out-hit, and if there is anything we could have done differently, it would have been there that we could have dug in...well, that and in the dot, but when your opponent's fourth line wins the game for them, you have to go to video, start breaking things down, and seeing where your weaknesses were", said interim captain Ryan McDonagh.

Rumours and whispers suggest that the shakeup that sent former captain Getzlaf to Hartford has vexed the Moncton dressing room.

" Listen, we are all pro's in here and we know how this works", said Leo Komorov, the team's de facto second-line centre, continuing: "our only goal right now is a championship, and who ends up where in the future isn't anything we can control...we can control what we do out there right now and for the rest of this season, and that's as far as we're looking".

While two consecutive losses doesn't spell collapse, what it suggests is that Moncton needs to get things turned around if they are to maintain a playoff berth.

"It's a tough, competitive league and it's a lot easier to take a tumble than it is to work your way back up the ladder...weve worked damn hard this season to become the team that we are, and we're gonna protect what we've worked to build", said GM Owen Durkin.

The Flames fly to Toronto on the 17th to take on the Toros; a team they should be able to beat, but if they take them lightly, the slide may continue.

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames Rekindle Spark; Hank Traded!

After a pair of questionable losses in recent days, Moncton hit a lick Tuesday night on the road in Toronto, lighting the lamp nine times. Clearly, Coach Huntley's impassioned admonishing didn't fall on deaf ears, considering there were five different goal scorers, and another seven assisting. Newcomer Jamie McGinn shocked the Toronto home crowd, scoring three goals from the third line, while Daniel Sedin picked up his third point as a Flame; a primary assist on Leo Komarov's powerplay goal. Loui Eriksson scored back to back goals in the first frame for his team-leading 19th and 20th on the season. Winger Mike Hoffman netted his 17th and 18th of the campaign consecutively in the second stanza, and centreman Peter Holland added his 11th to go with his team-leading 29 assists. Henrik Lundqvist shut the door, stopping 25 of 26 Toronto shots, while his cohorts peppered the home team's nets with 40.

"Yeah, we came out with a little somethin' extra after giving up four points last week", said Ryan McDonagh, interim team captain, adding: "Toronto is obviously a major market and you wanna be ready to go with all that extra media attention, no question...we needed to start on time and come ready, and that's what we did".

"We got contributions all throughout the lineup and that's a plus", said Huntley. "Ginns (Jamie McGinn) had a hell of a game and that's what we envisioned when we acquired him...he's a dynamic player and he stood out tonight, so good for him".

"We were a little pissed off at ourselves after last week, no question, so it was important that everyone in our dressing room recognize that we have the ability and the composure to push back and get back on track, said Mike Hoffman. "Maybe we were feeling a little too good about ourselves with our recent success, so it's possible that getting the wind taken out of our sails was a good thing, in the long run".

"we're a good team, and we know it", said GM Owen Durkin, continuing: "But, there are other teams in the league who can make the same claim, that have more firepower, better special teams records, and a better goal differential...we haven't been able to get the kind of goalie performance we need when our number one is taking a rest day...with that in mind, I want to take this opportunity to thank Henrik Lundqvist for an exemplary season...and announce that pending league approval, we have traded Hank to Ottawa in exchange for Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth...if there was an achilles heel on this squad as we ramp up for a playoff run, it has been an inability to get wins from our backup, and it's plagued us all year...Hank has been a stud, and we are grateful for his service to our team, but this is also a very special year for us, and we are committed to the task of winning...my job as GM is to cover all the contingencies and give us the best chance of winning, and in order to do that, we need two goalies we can count on, and while it's tough to part ways with the league leader in shutouts - and a gem of a man and a great teammate - we need to stay focused on the task at hand...we are excited to welcome Jhonas and Neuvy to the fold".

Lundqvist was seen leaving the rink in a taxi shortly after the game. He could not be reached for comment.

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: The "Moncton Elixir"

GHL Commissioner Glenn Bobb coined the phrase, in reference to Flames' GM Owen Durkin's success strategy, which has proven to be effective more often than not, half-way through the 2016-17 season.

" We have been accused of playing 'boring hockey' at times", admits Durkin. "You know what's exciting"? "A sold-out barn and a winning record...if you wanna watch a skills competition, I suggest you get yourself a ticket to the upcoming GHL All-Star Game...all that stuff will be on display at that time... all we are interested in doing is winning, and we feel we have both the player personnel and the strategy to give us a chance to win on any given night".

Just what is it about the Flames system that has been working? There isn't a Patrick Kane, a Sydney Crosby or even a Ryan Getzlaf at this point to put bums on seats; no first-overall draft picks or lottery-picked rookie sensations like McDavid. What Moncton appears to have is a group of players who compliment each other's strengths as much as they offset their weaknesses.

"We win by committee...it's a pack mentality here, no question", shared acting captain Ryan McDonagh. " It's not about individual accolades or padding your stats; it's about learning to operate within a structure and be the kind of teammate that  can be trusted and relied on to do the little things right, that equal big success".

"The pack mentality, absolutely...that's a big factor", agrees newcomer Daniel Sedin, adding: "having had to play against these guys all year, I can tell you first-hand that the defensive structure we play with is probably among the best I've seen...it's tough to generate pressure or sustain any kind of offense when you're being kept to the outside and out of the danger areas, and Hank is such a good goalie that if he tracks it, he's pretty much guaranteed a save".

Coach R.J. Huntley weighs in: " It's not only about blocking shots or lining guys up for a big hit; there's so much more to it...angling a guy off and out of a high-scoring area, or using your stick to break up a rush or just knowing how to take away time and space; controlling your gaps - all these little things, when done consistently and as a group - they make you tough to beat".

"We've mentioned it in the past", shared defender Jared Spurgeon, an intrinsic element to the Flames' D corps. "We are built to win one-goal hockey games...we don't play run-and-gun, track-meet hockey; we stick to our system, shut down your offense and capitalize on errors...shot suppression and quick transitions up-ice are key elements to our game...I'm not gonna get into trade secrets or X's and O's, but we try to limit chances and exploit holes, and transition as a group through the attacking zone".

Indeed, the Flames roster boasts a deep, stable blue line. Any member of the top two pairings would likely be a welcome addition to a serious contender. Ryan McDonagh, Niklas HJalmarsson, Andy Greene, Spurgeon - all veteran back-enders with the ability to make it a rough ride for anyone attempting to get rubber on net. The depth doesn't stop there, either. Journeyman David Schlemko, hard-hitting Russian Alexi Emelin and Luca Sbisa round out the group that has been containing the league's best to under 30 shots a game all season long.

Are there other ways to win? Absolutely, but as the old adage suggests, defense wins championships. It also makes good, if not great goaltenders into Vezina candidates.

If Moncton manages to make it to the playoffs and challenge for a conference championship, it will be a function of that deep and talented blue line as much, if not more than any other aspect of their game. 

Get your popcorn and peanuts ready, Flames fans, because the show is about to start... 

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames Trade Moratorium in Effect

As expected, Flames GM Owen Durkin confirmed that the club's self-imposed trade freeze is now in effect.
"We made it clear to the league and to our players that, in the interest of maintaining the level of focus needed to compete for a successful post-season, there would be no further player movement, save for normal transactions within our organization". "We as a hockey club feel we have assembled a roster that can match up against any opponent in the league and give them a good fight; even the top teams...we proved it the other night against Quebec, and we plan to continue proving it for the remainder of this hockey season".

Despite being overshadowed in terms of offensive firepower, Moncton held the Quebecois to just 28 shots on Tuesday night, with the Flames' PK unit staying statistically perfect for the entire 60 minutes. Special teams made all the difference, with Moncton cashing in on five power plays out of eight tries.

"It was a milestone for our club, no question", said coach RJ Huntley, adding: "Taking on a tough team like the "Q" and coming out on top, while keeping them to under thirty is a confidence builder, and it shows our guys just what they can accomplish when we're all pulling on the rope together".

Regarding the trade freeze: "I think, with the amount of movement we've had, it was the message our club needed to hear...it says: we believe in you, we want you to succeed in Moncton, and we appreciate your efforts...I know the boys are appreciative, and everyone is dialled in and ready to make this a season for the ages".

Asked if there was any possible circumstance in which the moratorium could be lifted, Durkin had this to say: "We set our deadline (Feb 1st) and we owe it to our players to live up to it...make no mistake; we are in it to win it this year, so no, I dont foresee any circumstance - barring an unmitigated late-season collapse - in which case we'd be obligated to parlay our top talent and UFA's into futures - but other than that, no...we are done talking trade this season...our focus is on winning with the group we have here now".

Moncton visits Halifax tomorrow, with stalwart defender Ryan McDonagh on the trainer's table for the next nine days following an injury sustained versus Quebec.

"Losing a player like 'Mack-Truck' (McDonagh) is bound to hurt any blueline...I mean, the guy's a stud, but we have the depth there to handle his absence for the time being, and the acquisition of Brauny (Justin Braun) certainly gives us a little added insurance, so, we'll be OK", said Huntley, adding: "This is a club that is more about the sum of its parts than individuals...we're a pack of dogs and we're sticking together here".

[Owen-Moncton]

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Flames Streak Extends to Four

Moncton Flames visited Halifax Huskies Thursday night, and left the province capital with another two points, extending the current streak to four.
Despite surrendering an uncharacteristic four goals, Henrik Lundqvist earned his 27th win of the season, making 27 saves on the night.
"It wasn't a masterpiece by me, obviously, but the guys gave me the goal support to get the job done...some nights, that's how you win, and we'll take the two and get ready for Ottawa on Saturday".

Facing an opponent he was recently traded to - only to have the deal rescinded - has to be a strange circumstance to contend with, even for the veteran.
" That's all in the past... I get the logic behind the deal, and I'm very happy to still be with this team...I think we could be a real contender, but as far as Saturday night, coach hasn't told Hammer or I anything at this point, so who knows who's starting...we'll know soon enough...either way, it's good to know, with absolute certainty, that I'm a Flame at least for the remainder of the year, and we have a real chance to do something special here".

Loui Eriksson; the team's leading scorer with (25 G/21A) is glad his countryman is still with the Flames fold. "Hank is a rock back there, has been his whole career...his lifetime numbers are
real consistent, and he's an awesome teammate, the kind of goalie you wanna dig in for and get him the win...god knows he's done it for us more often than not this season...glad we got him the win tonight.

Pending UFA Mike Hoffman sealed the dealr at 13:57 of the third stanza while Luca Sbisa, Cal Clutterbuck, Leo Komarov and Tomas Fleischmann provided the balance of Moncton's goals. It was Sbisa's first of the campaign, and he was awarded the fire chief's helmet post-game for his efforts: "To be honest, I'd have given it to Holly (Peter Holland)...he was a beast out there...what did he get - three assists? Feels good to contribute a little on the scoreboard, and I appreciate the acknowledgement from the boys, but more important is the two points we're leaving with".

Coach RJ Huntley liked what he saw from his charges: "Flash (Fleischmann) did a nice job out there on the top line, and because of that, we got the matchups we needed against a skilled hockey club...we got contributions all throughout, and that's often what you need to win in this league against the best teams...and our PK was huge out there...we gave them way too many powerplay chances and we'll need to sort that out, but we kept the damage to a minimum.

The Huskies capitalized on one such opportunity in eight tries, as the Flames' climbed to 6th-best in the league.

Puck drop is at 7PM versus Ottawa on Saturday.

[John-Michigan]

Owen it has been a great sight seeing the flames finally kicking ass..