Complex sentence: Though the Flames were established as the Smythe Division leaders, the team struggled around the Christmas break, and after winning only one of five games, the team recalled two players from their minor league affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
Split into simpler sentences: Though the Flames were established as the Smythe Division leaders, the team struggled around the Christmas break. After winning only one of five games towards the end of December, the team recalled two players from their minor league affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.