Game four of the playoffs between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks gets underway at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday and Flames coach Bob Hartley says fans are going to be in for another great game.
The Flames are leading the series two games to one heading into Tuesday’s game.
On Sunday, the Flames inserted local boy Mason Raymond into the lineup and he had an immediate impact, assisting on Brandon Bollig’s goal.
Raymond provided plenty of energy all night long and says it was a thrill to play in front of the hometown fans.
"Very cool, I mean last time I kind of had that energy in the rink I was a fan in 04, I think. It's great to be a part of that, to be a part of this whole group and what's going on here. It's been a lot of fun." said Raymond.
"Mason gave us exactly what we were hoping that he would bring, like speed, look at our first goal and Brandon Bollig’s goal, you know, like he’s the one that had the puck, like tried a shot, make the plays so he's a veteran and I love his speed and we felt that it was time for him, to get him back in the lineup," said coach Bob Hartley.
“For our line especially, getting Mas back in there, getting Mas on that line with me and Jooris is great for Jooris and I and getting a guy like that with so much skill that we can go in and work in the offensive zone and try to get him the puck and let him do his thing,” said Bollig.
“That was a big goal and got the ship rolling and we were excited, it was cool to get the crowd going there and he deserved that one,” said Josh Jooris. “Just set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Bollig says the team needs to continue doing what they’re doing, finishing checks and getting in on the fore-check, in order to win on Tuesday night.
“There’s no question that tonight’s our biggest game of the season and we know that, they know that, I’m sure it’s their biggest game too and I think we just have to approach it the same way we’ve approached all these games and obviously it is playoffs and it is that much more important but also your mind set, I think you have to approach it like every other game and stay calm, play your game,” said Bollig.
Jonas Hiller was outstanding in net for the Flames in game three and says he is thrilled to be part of the playoff action considering he was an afterthought last year in Anaheim.
“It’s great! If somebody could have told me in the summer that I would be ending up playing in the playoffs and playing as a starter, I would have taken it in a second, but you go through ups and downs in your career and definitely the way last year ended, it wasn’t one of the ups but now we’re back on the ups and I hope it will stay that way,” he said.
Win and the Flames head back to Vancouver leading three games to one, lose and the series is tied heading back to the coast.
“Mentally for us, I think we’re in a good spot because we approach it just like every other game and not necessarily worry about the fact that we could go up three one or be tied two two after this game but approach it almost as a game one and in playoffs you have to have a short memory and you have to go out and try to win every game no matter what the series is at,” said Bollig.
“I don’t think we change a lot from our game plan. Obviously score the first goal would be nice, get the crowd going again,” said Raymond. “I like a lot of what we did last game and you start with our fore-check and in hard on pucks and not making it easier on them so I don’t think we change a lot just key on a good start and getting that first goal.”
“We want to go out there, any chance we get, and try and play in their zone as much as we can and be reliable in the D-zone and if we can get some hits in and be physical and get the crowd going then get a couple of scoring chances, that’s our plan,” said Jooris.
“We know they can beat us if they play well and we’ve got to be playing at our best to have a chance to win and we’ve got to do it from the first minute,” said Hiller.
“It’s the first team that wins four and so we did part of the job going to Vancouver to get game one so technically for what it’s worth right now, we have home ice advantage so it’s up to us to use it, you know, we win tonight, then we’re using it. We lose tonight, well we’re giving it right back and now we’re starting the best of three so this is a pivotal game for both teams,” said Hartley. “I think that once again, we’re going to see a great game.
The Canucks will be without Alexandre Burrows who sustained an upper body injury during practice on Tuesday.
The Canucks say he was taken to hospital as a precaution and that Sven Baertschi will take his place in the lineup.
Game time is 8:00 p.m. MST.
