'IT'S AWESOME'

It's been, shall we say … bizarre.
More than a month between home games - and only five total tilts in that span - have taken these habitual, die-by-the-rhythm athletes out of their comfort zone.
But today was a great reminder.

Nothing beats a game day at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
"It's awesome," said Cochrane native Dillon Dube. "We love playing here. It's good to be back home and we want to start if off right."
Things will look a bit different with a 50% capacity to comply with provincial health regulations.
Still, the players expect a loud and proud crowd cheering them on.
"The fans are going to make up for it," Dube said. "We've got great fans here that bring the energy for us, and 50% is a lot better than an empty building. Compared to last year, we still brought energy in an empty building, so anything we can have from our fans, we feed off it. We're happy to have them in the stands and being able to play in front of them.
"They're going to make sure it feels like a full building."

The Flames - who have played a league-low 11 home dates - want to improve on a 3-4-3 record, because 30 of the final 49 games will be played, right here, in downtown Calgary.
No other team has an opportunity like this.
"We need to come out and have good starts," Dube said. "In the couple games we've had, we've waited to see what the other team (has), how they're feeling, what they're coming with. We need to play our game right off the start and be the instigator right off the bat. We need to make it a hard place to play, so that's our goal and it's exciting for guys tonight to have that challenge, to come back after that long road trip and start off with a win tonight."
Tonight's opponent, the Ottawa Senators, are only two points up on last place in the league. At 9-18-2, it's been a tough year for the Sens - but the Flames aren't taking them lightly.
With Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk and stud blueliner Thomas Chabot at the helm, there's plenty for the Flames to contend with as they look to get back in the win column.
(Of note: Tim Stützle is currently in COVID protocol and will not play tonight.)
"They're a team (whose) record is not indicative of the type of team they have," said Head Coach Darryl Sutter. "They're a team, quite honest, that was looked on from the hockey world to be an up-and-coming team in training camp with their roster and I think COVID kicked them in the (butt) - and probably goaltending, also.
"But I think they have an outstanding group of young players - as good as anybody in the league."