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Sports

Flames try to halt home skid vs. Panthers

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Calgary Flames look to snap a six-game home losing streak on Friday night as they take on a Florida Panthers club that is closing out its longest road trip of the season.

The Flames have not picked up a victory at Scotiabank Saddledome in nearly a month, since besting the Washington Capitals on Oct. 26. They are 0-4-2 as the hosting club since and began a stretch of three straight at home on Wednesday with a 2-1 overtime setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Flames goalie Reto Berra was able to stop a shot from point-blank range during the overtime session, but Columbus' David Savard found Nikita Nikitin in front of the net and Berra was unable to recover in time as the puck crossed the goal line 2:25 into the frame.

Berra ended with 16 saves as Calgary fell to 1-5-2 in its last eight, while Joe Colborne tied the game 3:28 into the third period.

"I felt like in the third period that's where we skated the best. We generated some good pucks at the net," Calgary head coach Bob Hartley said. "The bottom line is it's pretty tough to win when you only have one line going."

The Panthers are trying to get things going and have split the first four tests of a five-game road trip that ends tonight. They had won three of four heading into last night's showdown with Edmonton, but lost a 4-1 decision to the Oilers.

Scottie Upshall had the lone goal for the Panthers and Tim Thomas yielded three goals on 34 shots in his seventh straight start.

"The key was the energy. We didn't have any. That's the key," said Florida interim head coach Peter Horachek. "If your energy is better, if you come out with a workman attitude, I think that everything improves."

Backup Scott Clemmensen could get the call tonight over the 39-year-old Thomas and has never before faced the Flames. He is 0-1-1 with a 3.09 goals against average and .877 save percentage in three games (2 starts) this season.

The rookie Berra is in line for his ninth career start and is 0-2-2 with a 3.42 GAA in four outings at home.

The Panthers have won two straight and three of their last four versus the Flames and are visiting Calgary for the first time since a 3-0 triumph on Oct. 14, 2010.