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Monday 28 December, 1998
Billington gets win subbing for Roy
In fact, it has become a downright nightmarish place for the struggling team.
The Flames lost another game at the Canadian Airlines Saddledome on Sunday to the Colorado Avalanche before a sellout crowd of 17,104.
That loss dropped Calgary's home-ice record to a measly 5-10-2, putting the Flames in the company of the Washington Capitals (4-7-2), Los Angeles Kings (4-10-2) and Tampa Bay Lightning (4-12-1).
"Home is supposed to be a safe haven," said veteran Flames defenceman Steve Smith after the 2-1 loss to Colorado. "But the other teams are coming into this building not feeling intimidated and that they can win."
Smith, who won three Stanley Cups with the dominating Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s, doesn't believe the current home-ice skid -- Calgary hasn't won at home since Dec. 3 -- stems from a lack of confidence.
"I don't think we've played poorly," said Smith, although the Flames were guilty of several unforced errors in the loss to Colorado. "On those great teams in Edmonton, we believed we'd win every night. That's how great teams think."
The Oilers were also loaded with talent and the same can't be said for this year's Flames. If Calgary relaxes for even a second, the result is usually a puck in its net and another long night for the Saddledome faithful.
What makes the Flames continuing futility at home all the more perplexing is their recent road play -- a 3-1-1 trip through the Eastern Conference two weeks ago to improve their away record to 7-9-1.
It seemed to be pointing to an upswing for Calgary, which after three consecutive losses, is now mired in 11th place in the Western Conference at 12-19-3.
"We try to do too much at home," said right-winger Theo Fleury, one of the few Flames left to face the media after the Avalanche loss. "This is something we have to remedy or we'll really find ourselves battling again (to make the playoffs)."
Coach Brian Sutter pointed to a number of deficiencies, ranging from a poor power play to lackadaisical play, for the Flames' losing ways at homes.
What maddens and mystifies Sutter is why there have been more collapses at home than on the road. And he knows if his team is to have a shot at the post-season, Calgary will have to turn home ice into an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
But like many other people around the team, he doesn't know how to fix it.
"You (media) keep asking that question," a testy Sutter said Sunday. "If I knew the answer it wouldn't be this way (at home) and that score tonight (Sunday) would have been reversed."
Calgary faces a tough challenge in trying to reverse the current trend when it meets the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, followed by the Montreal Canadiens on New Year's Eve.
After a short road trip in early January, Calgary returns for games against the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers.
