February 19 2011 Last updated at 07:01 PM ET
CALGARY ? Michael Cammalleri couldn't ask for a better setting for his much-anticipated return to National Hockey League action.Not only is it against a former team ? the Calgary Flames ? but it's in the outdoor extravaganza known as the Heritage Classic.
A fan favorite when he played in Calgary, Cammalleri will no doubt hear some cheers from the 40,000 expected to take in the tilt between Calgary and Montreal at McMahon Stadium on Sunday.
"I'm happy to be back,'' smiled the diminutive 28-year-old winger. "It's been a while, but this weekend is a special weekend and I'm going to take it all in, that's for sure.
"I had a really good time in Calgary. I was only here the one season, but I made good friends and it feels great to be back.''
Cammalleri suffered a suspected separated shoulder in a game against Buffalo on Jan. 18 and as his rehab continued, this was one date on the calendar he was hoping he would not miss.
"When I first got hurt, I didn't know the time frame,'' he explained. "It seemed so far down the road that I didn't even think of it. Then, as time got closer and closer, I obviously didn't want to miss it and I'm good enough to go.
"Someone told me it was only going to be minus-5 (Celsius), I guess it's changed. We'll see. Hopefully it'll be harder for the goalies. Hopefully, Kipper (Flames' Mikka Kiprusoff) gets really tight.''
Cammalleri, like his Flames' counterpart David Moss, is a veteran of outdoor action, having also taken part in The Cold War, the University of Michigan-Michigan State clash in 2001 at Spartan Stadium. For that reason, the native of Richmond Hill, Ontario, is looked upon as the team go-to guy for open-air counsel.
"My biggest advice,'' opined Cammalleri, "would be to not deny yourself what is the event. Enjoy it, be part of it, embrace it and then when it comes time to play, just play the game.
"I think too much is made to pretend you're not playing outdoors.''
Along with Cammalleri, defenseman Hal Gill should be good to go, after missing a handful of games with a lower-body injury. The Habs bolstered their blueline by reacquiring Paul Mara from Anaheim, while James Wisniewski ? who suffered a horrifying facial injury on Thursday when he took a Taylor Hall shot off the left cheek ? was practicing on Saturday with a full face shield. Wisniewski was rushed to the hospital after being injured and required 22 stitches to close the gash. He will be re-evaluated on Sunday morning.
Canadiens' goaltender Carey Price, who hails from the Anaheim Lake region of northern British Columbia, likens the experience to his childhood.
"Quite a bit,'' the 23-year-old answered, when asked if he played outdoors as a kid. "We had lots of winter. We cleared out a spot on the creek in the backyard and that was a perfect rink. Just me and my dad ... and the dog.''
"I think that's going to be the most interesting part, see how cold I get standing there. If it's really sunny, it'll be hard on the eyes. But I guess we'll figure something out. I'm really looking forward to it.''
In spite of the usual extra large contingent of Canadiens' fans in Calgary ? as in any other Canadian city ? the Habs are cognizant of the fact this is a road game they must win, particularly given the fact they've dropped five or their last six games.
"I remember when I was a kid, my first year in juniors in Vancouver, I went to a Canucks-Montreal game, I was shocked ... more of the crowd was (cheering for Montreal),'' related center Scott Gomez. "Usually, when we go on the road especially in Canada, the fans are 60-40; shows how long the team's been around.
"But, hey, we're still on the road, still in a hotel, and it's home ice for Calgary.''
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