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Notebook: Jackets expect bruising game against Flames
Tuesday,
October 13, 2009 2:56 AM
The Columbus Dispatch
Sitting in his locker-room stall, Blue Jackets winger R.J. Umberger left little to the
imagination in describing what he expects tonight against the Calgary Flames.
"It will be a man's game," Umberger said. The bull riders inhabiting Nationwide Arena over the weekend have left town. When the Blue Jackets and Flames get together, however, there's always a chance somebody could get gored. The teams split four memorable games last season. Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock used the term "debris" to sum up the numerous collisions in the Blue Jackets' 3-1 win Nov. 8. The next game, on Jan. 21, was an epic. Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf rammed Umberger so violently into the boards Umberger's helmet popped 15 feet in the air. Phaneuf was ejected for boarding and Umberger returned to score. The Flames rallied for a 5-4 shootout victory. "Our games last year were a real measuring stick in how competitive they are," Hitchcock said. "I told our players today, competitive-wise we're not going to get a bigger challenge." The Jackets might scratch 19-year-old forward Nikita Filatov, Hitchcock said, in anticipation of the physical play. The decision won't be made until this morning. "They make you pay a price to win and if you don't pay that price you are not going to have a chance," Hitchcock said. "They play the game and are coached in a very honest manner." The Flames (4-1-1) and Jackets (3-1-0) have both enjoyed strong starts. Calgary made one of the biggest offseason splashes by acquiring defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who has averaged 28 minutes per game. "He's a really good skater who plays well at both ends of the ice," Rick Nash said. Commodore skatesDefenseman Mike Commodore skated yesterday before practice but is not expected to play tonight. Commodore is recovering from a pulled groin muscle. General manager Scott Howson expects Commodore to miss Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Klesla recoveringRostislav Klesla practiced just 30 minutes yesterday before leaving the ice. Klesla has been playing with a strained hip flexor muscle. Hitchcock said the defenseman will play tonight, but he might be limited in practice in the coming days. Slap shotsForward Fredrik Modin (knee) hopes to resume skating later in the week. The last time the Flames visited Columbus, Jackets goaltender Steve Mason was the target of death threats phoned into the arena from a Flames fan March 26. Police arrested a Dublin man on a charge of inducing panic. Story toolsToday’s Top Stories |
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