Flames’ Cammalleri on LA fans and other pre-game comments

We took a lap around the Calgary Flames locker room following their pre-game skate at Staples Center this morning. Here’s what a few players had to say heading into the second of back-to-back games vs. the Kings…

– Mike Cammalleri on if the chippy game we saw at the end of Saturday’s game will carry over to tonight: “Was it that chippy? I didn’t think so. I mean that’s hockey, you know. It didn’t feel all that chippy. We’ve all played in much worse I think. It’s just a matter of trying to win a game.”

– Cammalleri on if the Kings are any different to play against this year compared to last season: “Not so much. It’s pretty much what you see is what you get. Their start wasn’t as smooth as they’d want and now they seem to be selling into their game and they have a lot of guys that are starting to feel it and play well; playing with some confidence. It seems like they’re pretty much doing the same things they did last year. ”

– Cammalleri on the keys to tonight’s game: “We’ve got to try to do a good job of definitely keeping it out of our net and playing solid defensively and at that point that will give us a chance to win offensively. We’re going to have to score but we’re going to have to check first and make sure the puck doesn’t end up in our net. ”

– Cammalleri on Staples Center, is it still a fun building to play in: “Love it. It’s a great building, first of all, as everyone knows, period, for any sporting event. I was at the Clippers game last night and if you ask any players in any league it’s just a great building. [Los Angeles] provides a great fan base, too, especially for hockey. It’s pretty solid and also [has] an eclectic group of people that come out to support the team so it’s a live building, it feels good, it’s fun to play in, it’s full of energy, and it’s an easy building to want to play in. It’s a lot of fun.”

– Cammalleri on if this is one of the few road buildings where the fans show him a little love: “I’ve scored a few goals here since (leaving) and I’m not sure if they’re boo’s or cheers but if there’s a little bit of both there, it’s much appreciated. I had a fantastic time playing here and I still got a lot of love for this place that’s for sure.”

– Tim Jackman on if the chippy play will continue tonight: “I don’t think so. I think you reset. You want to play with an edge but it’s got to be controlled. There’s no gain for us to come out and generate stupid penalties and get into a game like that because their power play is too good. Big deal if you win a couple of fights, we need to win the hockey game. That’s where we’re at so that’s where the importance is tonight.”

– More from Jackman on playing the Kings: “I think that every time we play them it’s a physical game. I think that’s the way their built, to be physical. That’s the way we like to play our game. Everybody is fighting for their playoff spots and it’s a short season with about 25 games left or whatever it is. Every shift is intense.”

– Lee Stempniak on playing the Kings: “I think we’re both trying to play similar styles of game. You know be hard on the forecheck and hang on to the puck. If both teams are trying to do that you have to play physical to try and get the puck back and that’s fed into it a lot, obviously with them now being the defending Champions for us it’s a good test to match up against them and especially for us now we are in a tough situation and we need to get as many wins as we can whoever the opponent is and we just have to play with desperation every game.”

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