Testing out his injured foot in the loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins this week, Flames centre Craig Conroy also gave the once-over to some new equipment.
Sporting the same clear ankle guards defenceman Cory Sarich adopted after starting his season on a bum ankle, Conroy gave the extra protection thumbs-up yesterday before taking on the Nashville Predators.
"(Sarich) said they were good. There are a few different kinds of styles, but he liked those ones so I went with his," Conroy said. "They're not bad. I don't mind them. I get hit so many times in the foot, if they help a little bit, then great.
"They don't look great, but if they work it's worth it."
And they worked perfectly against the Pens. Conroy cringed a couple of times as pucks came at his legs.
"I got hit a few times there, and I didn't even feel anything," he said.
It's also a positive Conroy didn't fall on his face while making tight turns.
Sarich trims his on occasion so they don't catch. Conroy kept his feet a little wider when crossing over.
He may be able learn a few things from Sarich's long-term use, but Conroy has one edge over the blueliner -- he's actually taken a few shots right on the guards.
Sarich's standing count?
"Zero," he said, recounting blocks that have hit his shin pads, pants, and even his chest. "Haven't tested them out yet, so I hope to keep them that way."
Gold hopes Finnished?
Teemu Selanne's broken jaw will keep him out of action for up to six weeks.
Saku Koivu was knocked out of the lineup with a lower-body injury the next night.
If either or both these veterans can't get back into action before the Olympics, Team Finland's odds for a gold medal dramatically drop.
"Those guys are tough to replace," said Finn and Flames centre Olli Jokinen.
"I heard the news today that both guys are out. It's part of hockey. Those guys ... you don't replace those guys in our lineup for the Olympics."
But with the Flames travelling to Anaheim this weekend for a date with the Ducks, the absence of Selanne and Koivu would certainly help Jokinen's NHL club.
"Absolutely," Jokinen said, adding he hates to see fellow players go down regardless of the advantage he may gain.
"You don't want any player to miss time with injuries. You would hope every player in this league would stay healthy.
"But that's a team that's battling for a playoff spot, too, and we see them in a couple days.
Praise for Giordano
Flames head coach Brent Sutter heaped more praise on defenceman Mark Giordano, who scored the team's only goal in the 3-1 loss to the Penguins Wednesday.
"Since the start of the year, he's played well. Someone that's very dependable," Sutter said. "How he prepares and how he executes things on the ice and takes it over to a different level, with him is his competitive nature.
"He's such a great skater, he's been able to join the rushes and create some offence for us that way."
