Ryan Lomberg returned to the Calgary Flames, where he spent the first two seasons of his career, last offseason after four seasons with the Florida Panthers that ended with a Stanley Cup. Florida was where Lomberg grew to become an NHL mainstay as a bottom-six,

Earlier this winter, during a break in the action at the Calgary Flames charity poker tournament, the conversation turned from hold ’em to chucking ’em. A few of the card sharks had gathered around retired enforcer Tim Hunter and current fan favourite Ryan Lomberg.

Calgary Flames forward Ryan Lomberg didn't mince words when asked about his thoughts on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ryan Lomberg spent the last four seasons with the Florida Panthers before returning to the Calgary Flames, his original team, as a free agent last summer. Lomberg and the Flames were in Tampa Bay to play the Lightning on Thursday. It was the team's first trip to Florida this season so Lomberg was asked about about his return before the game.

But each year with the Panthers, Lomberg saw his role increase more and more. He became an everyday player in the 2022-23 season and was integral during both of Florida’s runs to the Stanley Cup Final, including winning it all last season.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots for his 47th career shutout, Jonah Gadjovich and Evan Rodrigues got second-period goals, and the Florida Panthers beat the Calgary Flames 3-0.

Unfortunately for Ryan Lomberg and the Calgary Flames, he could not channel that energy effectively on the ice as the Lightning got the last laugh with a 3-0 victory in a shutout.

A good NHL coach knows how to get his team prepared for games, and Ryan Huska has certainly been able to do that for the Calgary Flames.

(Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP) Calgary Flames’ Kevin Rooney, center, celebrates after his goal with teammates Brayden Pachal, left, and Ryan Lomberg, right, during second-period NHL hockey game action against the San Jose Sharks in Calgary ...