GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Five games in a row is not an ironman streak.
Especially when you have a teammate in Jay Bouwmeester, who skated in his 369th consecutive game last night.
To Aaron Johnson, though, it was great to play a fifth game in a row when the Flames faced the Phoenix Coyotes last night.
After being in and out of the lineup all last season, and then spending so many days a healthy scratch after being acquired by the Flames the second week of this campaign, Johnson is relishing regular action.
"The more you play, the more comfortable you get out there. I'm trying to make the most out of the situation," Johnson said. "It's unfortunate it's because Cory Sarich was injured, but it's a chance for me to show what I can do and prove I can play."
Johnson was acquired from Chicago Oct. 8, and was a healthy scratch five straight games upon his arrival.
He laced up for a couple of outings in the middle of October, but then spent a dozen games in the press box before being pressed into action when Sarich suffered an undisclosed injury.
"There were good days and there were bad days," he said of the waiting. "It gets rough when you're constantly preparing to play each game day and then just skating, but that's part of the job. You could be doing a lot worse things, that's for sure."
At least when Johnson dresses, he sees plenty of ice time.
Over his six games so far this season prior to last night's outing, Johnson averaged nearly 14 minutes of ice time.
On the money
After their last home game, the Coyotes had a surprise visit in their dressing room from actor Vince Vaughn.
"That was pretty cool," recalled defenceman Keith Yandle. "He's one of my favourite actors and one of the funniest guys in show business. It was neat to meet him. You realize how down-to-earth he is."
Vaughn, whose credits include Wedding Crashers, Anchorman, Dodgeball, Old School and Swingers -- in which his character coined the phrase, "You're so money" -- is an admitted Chicago Blackhawks fan, but was in Phoenix visiting his father and took in the Coyotes' game against the Anaheim Ducks.
"It's fun to meet stars, especially ones you like," Yandle said. "Every movie he's been in, he's been pretty good."
Vaughn is engaged to Kyla Weber, who is from Calgary.
RANDY.SPORTAK@SUNMEDIA.CA
-----------
THREE STARS AS CHOSEN BY SUN MEDIA
PETR PRUCHA, COYOTES
Winger scored once and should have had another for the hosts.
MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF, FLAMES
First-period performance alone was worth it.
SHANE DOAN, COYOTES
Captain was instrumental in several chances for the Coyotes.
