Flames vs. Sabres GameThread

Hello! ‘Tis I, your resident Flames and Sabres fan, here to provide you with tonight’s GameThread!

… Yeah, I'm a Flames and Sabres fan. Don't send me your pity. I'm going to have way more fun than anyone else at the draft (other than the kids actually getting drafted, I guess).

Tonight’s matchup features two 22-year-old goalies. Joni Ortio is in net for his eighth start, while Nathan Lieuwen is getting his first start ever. If you follow the WHL at all, you may remember Lieuwen from the 2011 WHL playoffs, when he was a key part of the Kootenay Ice’s championship run, posting a .923 save percentage over 19 games. I bring this up because I bandwagoned Kootenay hard that year, mostly because of Max Reinhart, but I fell in love with Lieuwen on the way and now I’m super excited he’s getting his first start!!

Sorry I know this is a Flames blog. I’m sorry. Lieuwen has already seen some NHL action when Buffalo’s Jhonas Enroth had to leave the Sabres’ last game partway through the second period due to injury.

After signing with the Flames yesterday, Kenny Agostino has joined the team in practice, but will not play his first game until Friday.

Let’s close with a fun fact. You know how the Flames constantly feel the need to dress both Brian McGrattan and Kevin Westgarth? The Sabres don’t put John Scott and Zenon Konopka in the same lineup. Think about it.

by Ari Yanover