[MissTeeks]

Morning Skate Report:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=749737

Hartley feels tonight's match-up will be a lot like Monday's game against the LA Kings: a tightly contested, physical affair that has the atmosphere of a playoff game. And like on Monday, the Flames will need to rely on their skating to come away with two points.
"Our speed and our play in their zone. That’s the most important thing," Hartley said. "Our forechecking game, to be on the puck, to try to prevent their [defence] from getting the puck to their forwards, that’s going to be a huge key. Taking them away from our zone will obviously give us an advantage in tonight’s game, that’s for sure."

Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau has kept a close eye on the Flames throughout the season and he has been extremely impressed with the gumption the team shows on a nightly basis.
"What I notice is that they don't quit and they believe they can win every game, not matter what the situation is," he said after the Ducks pre-game skate. "If they're down a goal or two in the third period, it doesn't matter. They just press on.
"When you've got a lot of young guys like they do and they just believe that they can do it all the time - they've been on teams like that - and no one puts fear into you? Those are the toughest teams to beat and that's why they're going to be a tough opponent for us and everybody else for the rest of the year."

Joni Ortio will get his fifth consecutive start tonight and the rookie netminder is hoping to spark the Flames to their first win in Anaheim since 2004.
"I’ve never set foot in this building before so I hope I don’t have the curse on me," he grinned. "We know it’s going to be a hard fought battle, similar to the game we played in LA, kind of have that playoff feel to it. They’re a big team. They’re tough. We’ve got to step up to the plate and match their intensity."

"Spooner has played well for us but at the same time Raphael Diaz has played well for us as well," Hartley explained. "There’s always a respect factor that comes in especially when Raffi has been good on the ice, unbelievable in practice, his work habits, his attitude.
"As a coaching staff I think those are values we have to respect and that’s why he’s in the lineup."

"I thought that we got great chemistry between Jooris, Gaudreau and Huds," Hartley said of his lines. "We’ll reunite them. I really like Mason Raymond’s game last game in LA with Backs and Colby. I think that there’s good match-ups and skills between those three. I like it. Boums, Monny and Jonesy, they’re the up-and-down line and they’ve done good and I thought Bols, Bysy and Staj gave us a pretty solid game in LA."

"He wants the net and now he’s getting the chance and taking advantage of it. He’s shown us he’s not a morning glory." - Bob Hartley on Joni Ortio