Leafs vs. Flames

ninty · **Leafs vs. Flames -** 01-13-2004, 03:15 PM

Whose going to win?

GAME: Calgary Flames (22-13-3-3) at Toronto Maple Leafs (23-10-8-3).

TIME: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST.
By compiling the longest point streak by any NHL team this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs reached the top of the Eastern Conference.

They haven't looked much like an elite team since.

Still leading the East, the Maple Leafs will try to avoid a third straight defeat when they take on the Calgary Flames in the finale of a four-game homestand.

Toronto went 14-0-1-1 from Nov. 22-Dec. 26 to tie the best point streak in the NHL since the 1999-2000 season, when points were first awarded for overtime losses. However, the Leafs have won just twice in eight games since (2-4-2), and have managed only one goal in losing their last two contests.

Two days after an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Ottawa, the Leafs lost 1-0 to New Jersey on Saturday. Both defeats came at the Air Canada Centre, where the Maple Leafs had been unbeaten in regulation in their previous 12 games (10-0-1-1).

"We haven't had a lot of practices in the last while," Leafs coach Pat Quinn told the Toronto Sun. "And sometimes, when you play two pretty good checking teams as we have, unless your team game is sharp, you'll have trouble winning."

The bright spot in Saturday's loss was the return of No. 1 goaltender Ed Belfour, who made 32 saves after sitting out the previous three games with a strained groin.

Belfour may be in net again to face a Calgary team that appears to be getting on track offensively.

The Flames have 13 goals in their last four games, including three wins, following a seven-game stretch during which they scored just 10 times.

Jarome Iginla had two goals and an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over Florida, and was named the NHL's offensive player of the week Monday. He had five goals and five assists in four games last week.

Calgary is the league's most improved club at the halfway point, 13 points ahead of its total through 41 games last season.

"We have been young and we are all one year older. We are more mature," Iginla said. "We are more comfortable in the final minute of a game holding onto a lead. We are more comfortable battling back in the third period trying to get a goal."

Leafs winger Gary Roberts, who spent his first 10 NHL seasons with Calgary, will be playing in his 1,000th game. There will be a pregame ceremony at Air Canada Centre to honor the achievement and Roberts will take the opening faceoff against his former team.

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Flames, Leafs tangle on milestone night
WebPosted Tue Jan 13 14:07:31 2004
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - It's only fitting that Gary Roberts' 1,000th-career NHL game should come against the Calgary Flames.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' gritty winger will reach the milestone mark Tuesday against his former club when the Leafs host the Flames at the Air Canada Centre.

Roberts was Calgary's first choice 12th overall, in the 1984 NHL entry draft. He had 10 successful seasons with the Flames, including 53 goals in the 1991-92 season and a Stanley Cup in 1989.

Since his early days with the Flames, Roberts has become one of the league's most respected forwards. He's notched 385 career goals and 400 assists in 999 games and is one of the league's pioneers of offseason fitness training.

Despite his respectable numbers, Roberts never thought he would reach the 1,000-game plateau, especially after a serious neck injury in the 1995-96 season forced him to retire after 585 games.

Roberts began the painful process of rehabbing his injury and after nearly a year and a half of retirement, the Carolina Hurricanes decided to take a risk and sign him. It turned out to be a good decision. Roberts pocketed 20 goals in his first season and played two more years with the Hurricanes before signing with the Leafs in August of 2000.

"Overcoming my neck injury is the thing I'm most proud of," said Roberts, in his fourth season with Toronto. "It took a lot of time, a lot of dedication and a lot of sacrifice.

"It's been a long road … I mean, when I was 30 I thought it was over. So I was very grateful to get a second chance to play to begin with."

Roberts said it's extra special that he'll play his 1,000th against the Flames.

"It's the organization that gave me an opportunity to play when a lot of people didn't think I would make it way back then," he said. "They showed a lot of confidence and supported me a lot when I was a young guy so I owe a lot to that organization."

Roberts isn't the only Leaf playing in his 1,000th-career game. Teammate Tom Fitzgerald will also reach the feat on Tuesday.

"Gary's got a lot more goals than I do in those 1,000 games," said Fitzgerald, who has 132 career goals. "He's the full package. But it's unique that were both doing it on the same night."

Fitzgerald, a defensive forward and team leader, said just because he's played 1,000 games doesn't mean he's done playing hockey.

"I still love the game," said the 35-year-old. "I'm going to keep playing until the fun leaves."

Looking to rain on the parade at the Air Canada Centre will be the Flames' captain, Jarome Iginla.

Iginla has been on fire lately, posting five goals and five assists in his last four games. He was named NHL's offensive player of the week on Monday.

Calgary, which has won six of its last seven road games, will visit Washington on Wednesday.

The Flames, who have won three of their last four games, expect to have centre Stephane Yelle back in the lineup. The defensive specialist missed three games due to a concussion.

Toronto is in the midst of a mini losing streak. The Leafs have lost two-straight and have won just twice in the past eight games (2-4-2), but they still lead the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference.

The Leafs will be without injured defencemen Ken Klee and Tomas Kaberle as well as forwards Owen Nolan, Alexander Mogilny and Robert Reichel.

The Flames edged Toronto 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 18 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Zoner · 01-13-2004, 03:17 PM

As much as I hate to admit it (being the good Oilers fan I am), I think the Flames will take this one.

Calgary is on fire and the Leafs are decimated with injuries.

Pyro · 01-13-2004, 04:10 PM

When Calgary loses their top 4 players in one game, you can talk.

We are missing our #1 defencemen and top 2 of my 3 best forwards.

I still see iginla playing...when he gets injured you can talk as well.

Depend son the game, If Belfour is on top of his game I see the leafs winning.

bukdez · 01-13-2004, 04:18 PM

leafs are due for a win... but calgary has been playing real well... Zoner shouldn't you be an Ottawa fan?...lol...

Pyro · 01-13-2004, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukdez

leafs are due for a win... but calgary has been playing real well... Zoner shouldn't you be an Ottawa fan?...lol...

He knows they suck and can't beat the leafs in the playoffs, so what's the point?

ninty · 01-13-2004, 05:17 PM

Howabout no centermen?

We had all 4 centers out at one time in December. We had to call up pretty much every single Jr. player we have, since we don't ahev a farm team anymore.

Conroy was on the top line and hes been out for more than a month. Mcammond was out as well and he's top line. We've actually only had 4 players play all 41 games so far. Iginla being one of them.