Allgemein » victory, and Mike Hoffman added another in an empt

CALGARY - The Calgary Flames did not make the playoffs for a fifth straight year. The difference between this spring and the previous four is the Flames did not underachieve this time around. When since-deposed general manager Jay Feaster brought himself to say the word "rebuild" last summer, it confirmed following the departure of Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester that the Flames were going to be a lunchbucket squad until new stars emerged or were acquired. Calgary (35-40-7) finished 27th in the 30-team league this past season and second-last in the Western Conference above only Edmonton. The 77 points was the teams lowest total since 2002-03. The Flames went 19-14-1 after brawling with the Canucks in Vancouver on Jan. 18, but they were already in next-year territory after winning just nine games through November and December. The slow start opened the door to audition for the future. A dozen players made their NHL debut with the Flames this season. Calgary has a top-five pick in the NHL draft in June for the first time since 1973 when they were the Atlanta Flames. The Flames have a 10.7 per cent chance of winning the first overall pick in Tuesdays draft lottery. But in contrast with Oilers to the north — where people tossed jerseys on the ice in disgust — the Flames had more goodwill and patience from their fanbase. Calgary compensated for its lack of talent with tenacity. The Flames were involved in 49 one-goal games this season and went 25-24 in them. "The conclusion of a season that does not include playoff is a failure and we acknowledge that failure, but it was not a lost or wasted season in any sense of the word," said hockey operations president Brian Burke, who is also interim general manager until he hires a new one. "I think there were a lot of positive developments in this season that Im proud of. I think we gave (the fans) a product they enjoyed watching." Bob Hartley squeezed effort out of his group in his first full season behind the bench. The head coach has one year remaining on a three-year contract and Burke says Hartley will coach the team in 2014-15. "Once we get a general manager in place, Ill encourage that person to address that situation," Burke said. "Its not the end of the world when a coach works in the last year of his contract, but its not ideal. That will be up to the next GM." Hartley said prior to Calgarys home game "our report card still says we failed" but the coach said Monday that it was a "great day." "We decided late last year that we would get a new face to this organization. We would go with younger players," Hartley said. "From the inside — I dont know about the outside because Im not on the outside — from the inside, I saw commitment, I saw progress. Those guys gave us everything that they had." Unlike the previous four seasons when an expensive, veteran squad with stars on its roster fell short of the post-season, there was less disappointment and more optimism as the Flames packed their bags this time. With 22 goals, forward Sean Monahan became the first Flames rookie to score more than 21 since Iginla in 1996-97. The 19-year-old from Brampton, Ont., confirmed hell play for Canada in the world championships in Minsk, Belarus, next month. "Down the stretch, these last 20 games, carrying the puck, I felt more confident with the puck," Monahan said. "Thats something I want to be able to do next year, be confident with the puck, make plays and I guess produce a little bit more." Monahan and veterans Matt Stajan and Chris Butler raved about Mark Giordanos leadership skills in his first season as captain. The 30-year-old was also a key contributor on the ice with 47 points and a plus-12 rating. Giordano played himself into consideration for Canadas Olympic team. He declined the chance to participate in the world championships, saying a hand injury needed time to heal. When he was healthy, Karri Ramo played himself to No. 1 on Calgarys goaltending depth chart with a 17-15-4 record. The Finn has one year remaining on a two-year contract. "The players like him because he battles," Burke said. "I think Karri Ramo has established that he deserves to come back here as the No. 1 goaltender." Hobey Baker winner Johnny Gaudreau, who led the NCAA in scoring, signed a contract on the weekend and scored in his first NHL game Sunday in Vancouver. The players believe theyve built a foundation upon which to build for next season. All eyes turn to Burke, who he chooses as his new GM and assistant GM and how they in turn handle the draft and Calgarys cap space in free agency. "The GM search, were going to approach teams that missed the playoffs," Burke said. "If they have candidates were going to approach them today, some of them. "If we have to wait until after the draft to fill that position, we will." Burke took over as interim GM when he fired Feaster in December. Burke was brought on board in September as hockey ops president to accelerate Calgarys rebuild. His goal is to make the Flames bigger, stronger and meaner. He acquired a second- and third-round draft pick at the March 3 trade deadline, but added no players to the team. "I think truculence is part of this game," Burke said. "Everyone likes to make fun of that word because the first time I used it, a lot of people said its kind of a new word in hockey, but its not. "I think tough teams win. You look at the St. Louis Blues. Theyve been a dominant team all year. Their average weight is 208 pounds. In the West (conference) especially, if youre not a hostile team with size, youre not going to have success. We need to get bigger." Mike Cammalleri, Calgarys leading scorer and most expensive player counting $6 million against the salary cap, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 unless he re-signs with the Flames. "I dont have anything to report," the 30-year-old said. "Just had some exit meetings and talked to Brian. He said wed talk again. Today wasnt the day to talk about that sort of thing. Today was a day to address the season. I am far from having ruled Calgary out as far as my future." Butler, 27, will also be a UFA for the first time in his career. "Its a unique opportunity, being unrestricted and having control of your destiny and being able to choose potentially where you want to go," Butler said. "Its an opportunity not everybody gets and it is something you earn and you work for. "Its something Ill think about, but its still a few months away and its kind of hard to think about right now having just played last night and wearing that jersey for the last three years." Forwards Paul Byron, Joen Colborne, Lance Bouma and T.J. Galiardi are among Calgarys restricted free agents this summer. Ben Zobrist Jersey .com) - Former FBI director Robert Mueller said his investigation found no evidence that the NFL saw the elevator video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee before the tape was released in September. Kyle Schwarber Jersey . The Mavericks were not going to let San Antonio beat them with 3-pointers, and they did not want Tony Parker using the lane as his personal playground. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Sammy-Sosa-Kids-Jersey/ . (AP) -- The head of the committee that developed Major League Baseballs plan to expand instant replay says he is optimistic the system will be in place this season, even though owners and unions for players and umpires have yet to approve. Javier Baez Jersey . -- On any given day here at his companys Silicon Valley headquarters, Vivek Ranadive is ready to compete against any employee who wants to challenge him to any contest. Anthony Rizzo Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the New York Rangers winger skated with extras and goalies today.MONTREAL -- The Hamilton Bulldogs couldnt recover from two goals in quick succession. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Buddy Robinson scored 43 seconds apart in the second period to lead the Binghamton Senators to a 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs in American Hockey League action Friday night at the Bell Centre. The goals came off defensive lapses - missed coverage, and a mistake by goaltender Dustin Tokarski. Pageau was left alone in the slot for the equalizer, and Robinson benefited from Tokarskis lax play for the winner. "Those were two gifts. We gave them those goals," said Bulldogs coach Sylvain Lefebvre. "Those were glaring mistakes." With Hamilton leading 1-0 in the second period, the Senators tied the game at 15:00 when Pageau beat Tokarski above the glove into a gaping top corner. Pageau was left unmarked just outside the crease following a defensive breakdown, and could make no mistake from such close range. Robinson put Binghamton ahead less than a minute later, slotting home his ninth of the year past a sprawling Bulldogs goaltender. After an initial shot from the point, Tokarksi tried to smother the puck with his glove, but Senators forward Derek Grant got to it before him. Grant poked it out to a wide-open Robinson. "Its tough to come back from that," said Lefebvre. "Those really hurt your confidence. And were in a tough stretch right now, so confidence isnt coming easy to us. Sometimes we get discouraged too easily." The Bulldogs (22-24-5) found no way back after the abrupt turnaround. Instead, they were kept at bay by Binghamton (33-15-4) netminder Andrew Hammond, who was in fine form. Hammond made 31 saves, including 10 in the third period, for his 17th win of the season. Hamilton is slumping of late. Theyve gone 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, and have only scored four times in their last three. "Thats the story of our season so far," said forward Gabriel Dumont, who was kept off the score sheet for the fourth straight game. "Were trying to keep it simple and drive to the net, put pucks on the net, but were having trouble finding the back of the net." Dumont, whos played two games with the Montreal Canadiens this seasonn, has been a Bulldog for the last four years.dddddddddddd His struggling team has fallen to 13th in the Western Conference, and is eight points out of a playoff spot. "Its a frustrating season with some highs, and a lot of lows," he added. "Were still looking for consistency. Tonight, we were only able to score one goal." The goal was Nick Tarnaskys, and it opened the scoring at 4:18 of the second period. The six-foot-two Bulldogs forward used defenceman Mike Sdao as a screen to fool Hammond with a shot between the legs. "I got a lucky bounce at the blue-line," said Tarnasky, who was on a partial breakaway when he entered the Binghamton zone. "I heard somebody yelling: Youre on a two-on-one. But I wasnt. I was going to pass, but there was nobody there. "It was lucky enough that (Sdao) was coming across at the same time as I shot it. I dont think the goaltender was able to see it. That play gave us a little lift at the time." But it was all Binghamton after their two quick strikes later in the frame. Andre Petersson scored on a great individual effort at 12:29 of the third period to seal the victory, and Mike Hoffman added another in an empty net in the games final two minutes. Hoffman has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his past five games. Hes second in the AHL in points with 65. Tokarski made 18 saves. There was little love lost between the teams to start the game. Tarnasky and Binghamtons Darren Kramer set the tone before the encounter even got underway, exchanging words and a few slashes during the pre-game warm-up. Tarnasky and Kramer waited only seven minutes into the game to solve their differences, dropping the gloves to earn fighting majors. Jarred Tinordi and the Senators Mark Borowiecki also fought in a first period that saw 34 penalty-minutes doled out by the referees. Notes: The attendance at the Bell Centre was 8,771. a The Senators, Ottawas AHL affiliate, are in first place in the East Division. Theyve won four games in a row. a This was the second and last matchup of the season between Hamilton and Binghamton. Tinordi scored in overtime to lead the Bulldogs to victory over the Senators on Feb. 8. ' ' '