WHAT A WAKE-UP CALL

Catching some well-earned Zs Saturday after the five-and-a-half-hour post-game bus slog from Ontario, Calif., back to Stockton is no sin.
"We got back at 5 a.m.,'' Andrew Mangiapane was recalling Sunday morning at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "I was sleeping, 10 a.m. came and I guess I had four missed calls from Brad Pascall.
"Kayle Doetzel, my roommate, came into my room, woke me up and said: 'Hey, Brad's on the phone. He wants to speak to you' type thing.
"Gotta say thanks to my roommate for answering the phone. I was sleeping through it.
"Guess I've got to put my phone on volume now."

The slick left-winger could not have rung in the New Year more memorably.
So, buon anno!
His first NHL game, pitted against Captain Serious, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks, no less, in Sunday night's tilt (7 p.m., TV: Sportsnet360, Radio: Sportsnet960 The FAN).
"I got the text from him yesterday,'' laughed former Stockton linemate Garnet Hathaway, "like: 'Hey, how's it going?' And I knew, but I'm like: 'Why are you texting me?'
"I'm so pumped for him. He's worked so hard. During the summer, this whole season … he's earned this."
Currently tied for sixth on the AHL scoring charts, only six points off the lead, Mangiapane has been superb for the Heat this season.
"He's a good friend of mine,'' enthused Mark Jankowski. "Great guy. He's played really well. Had a lot of different linemates and just continued to shine.
"He's such a smart player and that translates at every level. He reads the game well. He's skilled, can make plays and he's a hard worker."
Both the rambunctious Hathaway and Jankowski have transitioned superbly into the top-flight, carving niches for themselves here. Manipagne aims to follow their lead.
"I was watching Mark and Hath a lot when I was down in Stockton,'' he said. "I was happy for them, that they were doing good, and it gave me confidence that maybe I could do good.
"Now I have my shot."
The Flames and Heat bumped into each other Friday in San Jose, and the Calgary brass stuck around following their morning skate to watch Mangipane's two-goal matinee performance against the Barricuda.
With Michael Frolik sidelined for a lengthy period due to a fractured jaw, the decision was made Saturday raise the curtain on Mangiapane's NHL career.

"I had no clue,'' he admitted. "Every day down in Stockton just trying to put in the work for this moment. Definitely it's great to get that call and I've just got to make the most of it."
Mangipane is further evidence of a developing pipeline between the Flames and their AHL affiliate, becoming the fifth player to be called up this year.
"That's one thing we talk about all the time," emphasized Flames' assistant GM Brad Pascall. "You're being talked about. You're not a forgotten soul.
"Because they can get that impression.
"We always try to have communication with (Stockton) and spend a lot of time down there, one of us. Myself, Burkie, Craig (Conroy), Brad (Treliving).
"You know Mang is a skilled guy, back-to-back 100-point seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. He just continues to evolve as a player. Other than his skill, what stands out is his compete on pucks, winning those 50-50 battles. Tenacious.
"This guy battles around the paint, isn't afraid to finish checks. He wants the puck. Ask Janko. For his size he battles hard."
Mangipane arrives for the 7 p.m., pre-streamers and resolutions, with the Flames endeavouring to kick the New Year off in style.
"It's a well-earned call-up,'' said coach Glen Gultzaan. "From a strong training camp, put him down there with Janks and Hath, playing well. Take Janks out, still playing well. Take Hath out, still playing well."
That NHL bow game is always special. No matter where, for who, or the circumstances.
"I phoned my parents first,'' Mangipane reported. "They were just ecstatic, a couldn't-believe-it type thing. I let all my family members know, cousins, all my friends … I couldn't be any happier.
"I think they thought I was lying to them. Just an amazing experience.
"I gotta keep it simple, right? Play with confidence. Just play my game.
"Simple.
"I think I'll have lots of energy tonight. I'm excited to be here. Just brings that to the table, be myself and play the game I know how to play."