The Calgary Flames will attempt to end their longest losing streak of the Bob Hartley era on Monday when they play in a city where they last competed 17 years ago. It was April 6, 1996, when the Flames, then coached by Pierre Page, last played an NHL game in Winnipeg against the Jets.
Calgary had a good rivalry against the Jets when it played in the former Smythe Division, but a great deal has changed since these teams last clashed in Winnipeg.
Back then the Jets played in the old Winnipeg Arena, which was adjacent to the Blue Bombers football stadium. Now the Jets have a new modern arena in downtown Winnipeg (the MTS Centre celebrated its ninth anniversary on Saturday).
Scheduling in 2011-12 and a work stoppage last season delayed the Flames return to Winnipeg.
The Flames have been derailed lately and have been outscored 26-12 during their six-game losing skid. They are coming off a 4-2 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. It was the Flames’ toughest defeat during their slump, as they took a 2-0 lead into the third period only to allow the rival Oilers to rally.
“For two periods we gave them nothing. We were playing our style. Then the first goal and the third goal, there’s only one word for those two goals – awful,” an irritated Hartley said following the game.
Reto Berra, who was in net against the Oilers, will start for a fourth straight game on Tuesday. It’s his longest run of starts since joined the team Nov. 3.
While the Flames rested in Winnipeg on Sunday, the Jets played in Minnesota, losing 2-1 to the Wild to end their four-game winning streak.
When the Flames last played in Winnipeg all those years ago, they lost 4-3. They’d like to reverse that this time.
