Coleman and Middleton face former teams as Flames host Wild
Calgary continues its homestand Thursday, with Ben Jones in contention for his Flames debut.
Blake Coleman returns to Calgary with the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, Oct. 22, while Flames defenceman Jake Middleton is set to face Minnesota for the first time since the clubs' July trade. The game at Scotiabank Saddledome starts at 7 p.m. MT and airs on Sportsnet 1.
Coleman spent five seasons with Calgary before the deal sent him and Olli Maatta to Minnesota. Middleton now plays for the Flames, putting former teammates on opposite sides for Thursday's meeting.
Calgary has won two of its past three games. Coach Ryan Huska wants his players to sustain offensive-zone pressure by sending pucks deeper, an approach he credited after Sunday's 3-2 victory over Carolina.
Ben Jones, recalled from the Calgary Wranglers on Tuesday, is set to make his season debut after practising in Mikael Backlund's place. Backlund is day-to-day with an upper-body injury after leaving the Carolina game.
Minnesota will have Jared Spurgeon and Olli Maatta back after upper-body injuries kept them out for four and three games, respectively, according to the NHL's projected-lineup report. Rieger Lorenz is also set to return after missing Tuesday's game in Edmonton.
Minnesota enters at 6-2-2 following Tuesday's overtime loss in Edmonton. Thursday is the first of three meetings between the Flames and Wild this season.
