Flames name goalie Ramo opening night starter

The Calgary Flames on Monday named Karri Ramo to start their opening game Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome (10 p.m. ET; Sportsnet, TVA Sports 2).

Jonas Hiller will serve as the backup while Joni Ortio, who remains on the Flames roster, will be a healthy scratch.

"Sometimes you make decisions for the game and sometimes you make decisions for the business," coach Bob Hartley told the Flames website. "Both come in the same bowl after a while. At the same time, it's our situation right now and that's fine. The guys are working hard and [goalie coach Jordan Sigalet] is handling them very well. It's our situation.

"The only good thing about three goalies is that it's giving you another subject of conversation. That's about the only good thing that comes out of it. At the same time, it's our situation. we’re going to work with it and see what will happen."

Ramo was 15-9-3 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .912 save percentage last season in 34 games. He was 2-3 in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games with a 2.86 GAA and .906 save percentage.

Hiller was 26-19-4 with a 2.36 GAA and .918 save percentage in 52 regular-season games. He began the playoffs as the No. 1 goalie and was 3-3 in seven games with a 2.61 GAA and .919 save percentage.