Sr columnist/analyst w Sportsnet. Formerly w HNIC, JACK FM & Post Media. Dad, husband, author, KidSport’s OG Ambassador, Pizza Pigout founder.
Calgary
Joined March 2009
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CALGARY — Going from the worst team in the league to one of the hottest teams in hockey, the Calgary Flames have turned an 0-5 start into a streak that has seen them win four of five.
A 4-1 win over Detroit Saturday was their third in a row, and a perfect way to pay tribute to the 2004 team that fell one game short of winning the Stanley Cup.
After all, you might recall, the team that re-energized a franchise with one of the most unlikely runs in modern NHL lore had barely made the playoffs that year.
And while no one is suggesting the playoffs are a remote possibility in Year 1 of what promises to be a lengthy rebuild, the current crop of Craig Conroy’s kids have suddenly tapped into a similar elixir to the one that led Darryl Sutter’s crew to springtime euphoria.
Combining hard work with airtight structure and all-world goaltending, the Flames have rebounded from a humiliating start in which the team was outscored by 19:
On a night recognizing the 2004 team that nearly won the Stanley Cup, the Flames did their best impression of that lunch pail crew to secure their third victory in a row. (@EricFrancis) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/fla…
Eric Francis retweeted
On a night recognizing the 2004 team that nearly won the Stanley Cup, the Flames did their best impression of that lunch pail crew to secure their third victory in a row. (@EricFrancis) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/fla…
Eric Francis retweeted
Devin Cooley is the gift that keeps on giving.
He joined @BParkerTV after securing his third win in a row 🗣️
As part of tonight’s 2004 Run celebration, Commodore, Regehr, Warrener, Lowry, Conroy, Darryl and son Chris Sutter help with the puck drop ceremony.
First 2004 in the door got green hard hats the team made famous.
Eric Francis retweeted
“I love it here in Calgary. I’m completely committed to what we have going here. You see and you hear some things, but I don't want to leave. The guys are unbelievable. The staff's great. The city's great. And living here, the quality of life, and me being a Western Canadian guy, I’ve loved it since I got here.” - Zach Whitecloud, who has plans for Christmas Day pond hockey in Calgary for years to come:
While the Flames continue to navigate a rebuild that has left fans wondering who might be the next veteran out the door, Zach Whitecloud insists he wants to be part of the solution. (@EricFrancis) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/whi…
Eric Francis retweeted
Lunch pail and hard hat kind of panel. 🤣
Ready for the ‘04 Run Celebration night tomorrow at the ‘Dome.
@EricFrancis
“I love it here in Calgary. I’m completely committed to what we have going here. You see and you hear some things, but I don't want to leave. The guys are unbelievable. The staff's great. The city's great. And living here, the quality of life, and me being a Western Canadian guy, I’ve loved it since I got here.” - Zach Whitecloud, who has plans for Christmas Day pond hockey in Calgary for years to come:
While the Flames continue to navigate a rebuild that has left fans wondering who might be the next veteran out the door, Zach Whitecloud insists he wants to be part of the solution. (@EricFrancis) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/whi…
Eric Francis retweeted
The Flames have won back-to-back for the first time since February, and the common thread has been Devin Cooley.
@EricFrancis has the story on the latest masterpiece from the "unconscious" goalie. sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/dev…
Eric Francis retweeted
It’s been months since Blake Coleman was traded to Minnesota, but the Texas native still has some Calgary left in him.
@EricFrancis looks back at what made Coleman’s time with the Flames so special ahead of his return. sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/fro…
Eric Francis retweeted
Austin Lemieux shot 66 (his dad Mario's longtime number @Penguins) in his second Monday qualifier and will make his PGA Tour debut Thursday @Bermuda_Champ.
The former college hockey player has signed up for Q-School this fall and eyes status on a Tour-sanctioned circuit.
“Oh man, definitely not comfortable with kilometres - I still don’t know how to convert those. But I do say ‘eh’ a lot. My family calls me out from time to time.”
From cowboy boots to kilometres, Calgary left an impression on Blake Coleman he looks back on fondly as he returns to the Dome tomorrow:
It’s been months since Blake Coleman was traded to Minnesota, but the Texas native still has some Calgary left in him.
@EricFrancis looks back at what made Coleman’s time with the Flames so special ahead of his return. sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/fro…
How about this cake my friends from Sammy’s World’s Greatest Pizza brought to last night’s incredibly successful Pizza Pigout!!
Eric Francis retweeted
“I've said a lot of stupid things, but I think that's the one that has blown up the most.
“It's pretty crazy, actually. If I'm being honest, I shut my phone off yesterday, and I'm gonna leave it off for the next two days because there's too many notifications. I'm spending too much time on social media, and I feel drained mentally. It's not good for your nervous system. So I'm like, ‘Okay, I need to chill out.’”
Calgary Flames netminder Devin Cooley chatted one-on-one with @EricFrancis about the response to his post-game theory on the merits of shutting off his brain. sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/q-a…
