Rosenhof: Story » mmates have more time on the ball." Pert has

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. The Flames have split the first two of a three-game homestand, besting the Washington Capitals last Saturday before falling by a 4-2 score to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Matt Stajan and David Jones had goals and Karri Ramo stopped 18-of-21 shots, but Leafs netminder Jonathan Bernier came up with 41 saves. Calgary has lost three of four and five of its last seven overall, falling to 3-1-1 at home on the season. "I felt that we had a good game. We are not very pleased with the result but I dont know what we could have done more. Offensively we generated a lot. Our forechecking was good. Our puck decisions in the offensive zone were very good but Bernier basically stole the game away from us," said Calgary coach Bob Hartley. Ramo was making his third straight start and former Red Wings netminder Joey MacDonald is expected to face his old club tonight. MacDonald spent two seasons in Detroit before getting claimed off waivers by Calgary on Feb. 11. The 33-year-old has faced the Red Wings just once prior, notching a 42-save shutout on March 27, 2009 while with the New York Islanders. The Flames outscored the Red Wings 12-5 in winning all three meetings last season, winning twice at home. Detroit has lost three of its past four in Calgary, but is coming off a 2-1 win over Vancouver on Wednesday that began a four-game road trip. The Red Wings are 4-2-0 as the guest this season. Daniel Alfredsson scored in a second straight game and Tomas Tatar notched his first goal of the season for the Red Wings, who snapped a four-game slide (0-2-2). Jimmy Howard made 19 saves. "Ive got to give the guys a lot of credit tonight," Howard said. "They did a great job in front of me." Patrick Eaves made his season debut after missing the first 12 games due to a sprained knee and ankle injury, while Johan Franzen missed Wednesdays contest with an undisclosed injury. Franzen is likely to return tonight and has logged just two goals and three assists in 12 games. Howard is 7-5-0 with a 2.66 GAA in 12 career meetings with the Flames, while backup Jonas Gustavsson is 0-4-0 with a 4.61 GAA in five encounters. Detroit is scheduled to visit Edmonton on Saturday and Gustavsson could get the start in that game given his past history versus Calgary. He is 3-0-0 with a 2.13 GAA in four games (3 starts) overall this season. Michael Brantley Jersey Josh Reddick Astros Jersey . Future Hall of Famer Ricky Ray is in his prime and back for a third season in double blue. The 34-year old was magnificent in 2013, throwing for just under 2,900 yards despite missing eight games, tossing an impressive 21 touchdowns against just two interceptions, completing 66 per cent of his passes in the process. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/alex-bregman-astros-jersey/ .A. Happ. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to improve the starting rotation ahead of next season and pitchers like Happ have a chance to show they belong as the disastrous 2013 campaign draws to a close. George Springer Astros Jersey . 1 and reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki was among Thursdays third-round winners, while second- seeded Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the draw at the $4. Houston Astros Jerseys . -- Josh MacDonalds second goal of the game kept his team alive as the Peterborough Petes edged the host Kingston Frontencas 6-5 in overtime on Friday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action.VANCOUVER -- The biggest knock against Gershon Koffie with the Vancouver Whitecaps has been his consistency. An imposing presence in midfield, the Ghanaian would be the best player on the pitch one game and virtually invisible the next. After starting the 2014 campaign on the bench, Koffie has finally begun to live up to expectations on a daily basis, and both he and the Whitecaps have one of the teams new acquisitions at least partly to thank. Toronto FC dealt Matias Laba to Vancouver right before the start of the season and the Argentine midfielder has slotted seamlessly into the centre of rookie head coach Carl Robinsons formation. The workhorse not only cleans up danger in front of the Whitecaps defence, he also allows Vancouvers attacking players to push forward -- with Koffie being one of the main beneficiaries thus far. The 22-year-old scored from 40 yards out after pouncing on a goalkeeping error in last weekends 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders, and had three other clear-cut chances, including a shot that rattled the crossbar in the games opening minutes. "Gersh has got incredible attributes. Hes got the physical strength. When he makes a tackle and he means it, no ones going to beat him. Hes really that powerful," Whitecaps assistant coach Martyn Pert said Thursday. "The consistency part of the game is still something that hes got to really work hard at, and hes getting there, thats four or five games on the spin now hes been very good. "Hes got to keep it going, keep the foot on the pedal and keep driving." Robinson favoured Nigel Reo-Coker in the centre of midfield at the start of the season, but after the Englishman was injured in an off-field incident the Whitecaps turned to Koffie. "I dont think I was disappointed to be on the bench, but that motivated me," said Koffie, whose goal against Seattle was his first of the season. "I have to embrace it because my fellow mates were doing well and it was a coachs decision." Koffie -- who has already played 93 games in his Major League Soccer career -- said Robinson has asked him to go forward more in his attack-minded system, and credits Laba with allowing him that freedom to roam. "Playing with Matias Laba gives me the license to go forward and get some chances,&quoot; said Koffie.dddddddddddd "I know hes there to work the defensive part and delay (opponents) before we can get back in (formation)." Labas tenacity has also rubbed off on his midfield counterpart, who tracked back on more than one occasion against Seattle to help out Vancouvers back line. "(Labas) a guy who sets the tone," said Koffie. "If you play next to him, he goes in for tackles (and) you have to do the same. If he goes in chasing the ball, you have to do the same, because you cant let him do the job (alone)." Also just 22, Laba was a casualty of Toronto FCs winter spending spree, with the club unable to retain the designated player it acquired last season. "I didnt expect it, but I think its for the best," Laba said through an interpreter. "Im very happy in Vancouver with a great coach and teammates." Although he often takes care of the less-glamorous tasks on the field, the Whitecaps have come to appreciate his tireless work. "Mati gives us a great dimension to build off of at the back," said Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit. "He lets the guys that are creative express themselves a little bit more, just by giving you a little bit more of a lockdown defensively." Added the selfless Laba: "Ive always played that way -- win balls, win tackles -- and quickly disperse (passes) so my teammates have more time on the ball." Pert has been in awe at how quickly Laba has adapted to his new surroundings. "Matis been incredible since hes come in and the fact he came in two weeks before the start of the season and every game he just never lets you down," said Pert. "Hes absolutely a top, top player. I couldnt speak highly enough of Mati. "He makes incredible tackles, he gets his foot on the ball, he plays it simple." Because of their youth, Laba and Koffie could be patrolling Vancouvers midfield for some time, and the pair are expected to start alongside each other once again when the Whitecaps (4-2-5) visit the Portland Timbers (3-3-7) on Sunday. "(Koffies) a great player and I think we work really well together," said Laba. "I can win balls and that opens space up for him to go forward and attack more. We compliment each other quite well." ' ' '