‘Excited to get back’: Sam Bennett returns to Flames lineup
Posted Dec 17, 2019 12:56 pm.
Last Updated Dec 17, 2019 12:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — After missing over a dozen games, Sam Bennett will be back in action for the Calgary Flames.
The 23-year-old will skate on the fourth line, as his team continues a homestand, welcoming the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Saddledome.
“I feel great, and I’m excited to get back in,” he said after Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s felt like a long time since I’ve played, and I’ve been chomping at the bit. I’m very excited to get back in tonight.
“Early on, I’ve got to keep it simple. I’ve been feeling really good, but there’s still going to be a little rust. Early, just got to keep it simple, get puck deeps, playing in a straight line, and that’s how I’ll have success tonight.”
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The Flames are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, and while Bennett admits it was tough watching from the sidelines, he embraced as much of the team bonding as he could.
“It’s been a lot of fun to watch over that stretch,” he said. “Our whole team was playing well. We have a really deep team, and it’s starting to show.
“I’m just happy for the boys when they’re winning. If we weren’t playing well, it makes it a lot tougher to be out of the lineup and to be away from them. It was great to see the team have success.”
Bennett has five points in 20 games this year, and Geoff Ward wants the forward to ease himself in.
“Energy. We told him to play to his strengths,” the Flames interim head coach offered. “We tell all of our guys when they’re coming back in, just be yourself. Play your game, and once they get the first couple of shifts, they’ll be fine.”
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This marks the final regular-season meeting between the Flames and Penguins.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.