Flames flickering in home slump

Set franchise record with seven losses

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CST Friday, Jan. 17, 2014

CALGARY -- There was more than a little desperation in the air at the Scotiabank Saddledome Thursday night as an increasingly desperate Calgary Flames team looked for a solution to some problems at home that were verging on record-setting.

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This article was published 17/01/2014 (4277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — There was more than a little desperation in the air at the Scotiabank Saddledome Thursday night as an increasingly desperate Calgary Flames team looked for a solution to some problems at home that were verging on record-setting.

In their last six games at home heading into Thursday’s contest against the visiting Winnipeg Jets, the Flames had scored just two goals. You read that right — two goals in their last six games at home.

Suffice to say, the Flames also lost all six of those games — by scores of 2-1, 5-0, 2-0, 4-1, 2-0 and 2-0 — and got outscored 17-2.

Put it altogether and another home loss Thursday night to the Jets set a new Flames franchise record for consecutive losses at home with seven.

Needless to say, the Flames were talking after their morning skate Thursday about how eager they were to finally change the ending to the script.

“It’s time for us to reward ourselves and reward our fans,” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. “Those guys are unbelievable. Our fans are here every game. It’s packed, they’re supporting us, they’re understanding what we’re going through.

“But at the same time, let’s find a way tonight to leave with a nice smile on everyone’s face.”

Flames captain Mark Giordano described the Flames drought at home as a bit like a goal scorer in a slump.

“Obviously, you just have to get that one,” he said. “Anytime you get in these funks — and we’ve been in one at home — you just have to get that first win out of the way and get over that hump.”

— — —

There was good news and bad news from the Jets’ sick bay.

The good news was forward Devin Setoguchi — who snapped a 19-game goal-scoring drought with a goal Monday in a 5-1 win over Phoenix — was over his bout with the flu and flew into Calgary Thursday in time to join his teammates for their morning skate.

He did not travel to Calgary Wednesday and was not expected to play.

“I got a good sleep and some rest last night and flew out this morning and I’m ready to go,” said Setoguchi.

On the downside for Jets fans, the club put injured forward Evander Kane on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 7 as Kane continues to recover from what is described as a “deep cut” to his hand that has already caused him to miss the last three games, including last night’s contest.

Kane’s shuffling to injured reserve cleared up some roster space for the Jets to call up Carl Klingberg from the St. John’s IceCaps.

Klingberg, originally drafted 34th overall in the 2009 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, had 11 goals and seven assists in 33 games in St. John’s this season.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek