By Payton Knoph
Calgary (AP) - We're only a dozen games into the season, but Calgary Flames' fans enjoy what they see. With a "devilishy good" .666 winning percentage, things are running smoothly for the FNHL Cup favorites. One of the biggest bright spots on the glowing team is the bond that 40-year-old Nathan Horton and 22-year-old Sven Andrighetto have formed early this season. It's a balanced chemistry that can only come from a grizzled veteran of 22 seasons and a completely green rookie. When players fully adopt their roles on a team great things happen, and right now Horton and 'Ghetto are making great things happen.
Protected from the pressures of being a front line player, both of the Flames' wingers are enjoying their time together. Horton with 15 points and Andrighetto with 14 points, they are outproducing every other Flames' player. And while their production is spot on, the unlikely duo is keeping the rest of the team light-hearted and loose.
"It's awesome how much both of these guys feed off each other. Ghetto just follows Nate around all of the time, and Nate fully embraces his role as the top mentor. They get along so well, and through their bond, the rest of us just kind of fall into place" says team leader and franchise centre, Jack Eichel.
With Horton likely to retire at season's end, his legacy with the Flames' will likely be the emergence of Andrighetto as the Flames' "goto" winger. Signed to a one year deal worth $7.2 million, every cent of that short-term pact will be worth it if "Ghetto" turns into the star that he is aiming to be.
11/5/2020 - 273 words
