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The right things, on this afternoon, seemed to be when Lomberg, Andrew Mangiapane and Brett Findlay were on the ice — a trio that’s been together for a few weeks now and seems to be clicking since the absence of Mark Jankowski and, a few weeks ago in the wake of Kris Versteeg’s hip surgery, Garnet Hathaway. Mangiapane scored twice and set up Findlay on a two-on-one rush.

It was a rare AHL/NHL doubleheader — an opportunity for both teams’ brass to lurk and catch a first-hand glimpse of a few of their prize prospects.

For Mangiapane, it was business as usual.

“I think it’s the same (if the Flames personnel are there or not),” said the 21-year-old left winger from Bolton, Ont. “Every game, there’s a guy or two here or maybe they’re watching it on T.V. They’re always watching. Someone is always watching. We just needed to take it like any other game — just play your own game.”

With three points in Thursday’s losing effort, Mangiapane is on a three-game point streak with 13 games and 19 assists for 32 points in 28 games to lead the Heat in scoring. It’s a decent production rate for the second-year pro who was drafted in the sixth round (166th) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Plus, he’s well on his way to beating his totals from 2016-17, which saw him rack up 20 goals and 21 assists in 66 games.

But after watching his linemates Jankowski and Hathaway skating on the Flames third line with Sam Bennett, he can’t help but wonder when his number will be called.

“You can always get better, and I guess that’s why I’m down here, right?” Mangiapane said. “To learn and get better so that in case I get called up, I’ll be ready and can make the most of it. Those two are doing great and are playing great, and they put in the work down here and learned every day. That’s what I have to do.”

And, watching closely, the Flames have seen it. But, like with every young professional, it’s about doing it on daily basis.

“It’s been real positive,” said Heat head coach Ryan Huska of Mangiapane’s development. “Early on, there was a lot of chemistry between Mark and Garnet and him. But the really great part about him is I think he wants to show people he’s not just about them and can do it without them. And he’s continued to do that consistently since both have been called up. Just about every night, he’s been called up, and he’s been a factor in just about every one of our games, and he’s on the scoresheet.”

kodland@postmedia.com