Not exactly a barn burner at the Saddledome tonight as the split squad Flames took on the split squad Oilers, besting their visitors by a score of 1-0 (the Oilers won the other half 3-1).
Veterans
Great starts for some key Flames vets including TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano, that had the starstruck young Oilers a little over their heads. Solid play from the back end and some good work up front from the likes of Jiri Hurler did the job in leading the way for the younger Flames.
New Additions
I tweeted some negativity early on Devin Setoguchi as I felt he had a terrible first period, turning the puck over, forcing passes where there was no pass to be had, and looking lost and disinterested. He did turn it around somewhat in the second and third however, to redeem himself.
Colour me impressed with Brandon Bollig. He’s not just a hairy face, good on the wall, good down low, works his but off but doesn’t have hands of stone. A good add.
Deryk Engellend may be over paid, but he was a solid presence on the Flames blue line, and helped settle down the second pairing behind the Flames top duo. Good position, sound heads up passing and willing to be physical in the corners.
Mason Raymond was part of the Flames top line with Hurler and Monahan. Heads up player with good speed, was able to read options and keep up with the cerebral play from Hudler.
Returning Gems
Really liked the play of Sean Monahan tonight, and that was your key if you’re a Flames fan looking to get excited about something in a preseason game. He looks bigger, faster, and a whole lot more confident in taking passes, reading plays and finding open wingers to dish the puck. Came away very impressed.
Joe Colburne looked great moving back to his native center position, centering a line of Setoguchi and Gaudreau. Was moving his feet, knifing the puck deep, or taking it wide and using his reach to cause havoc. Solid game.
Best of the Newbie
The crowd came to see Johnny Gaudreau and while he didn’t disappoint, he didn’t deliver the wow factor either. A great first period chance when he walked in to the slot, beat a defender and directed a backhander towards the Oilers cage was his highlight of the night though its clear on every shift the kid has wheels and skill. Made several tape to tape passes and could have had better puck luck.
My favourite young guy on the night was Max Reinhart however. His game is much more quiet than his Boston College battery mate, but he gets the job done, and done well, often. Assisted on Brodie’s goal, but did a tonne of little things right all night. Solid game.
Worried if I’m a Corbin Knight fan, as this was exactly the game you’d hope he’d step up and prove he’s in the mix to make the big club out of camp. He didn’t. He just didn’t stand out, or when you did notice him he was getting muscled off the puck. Not a night to install confidence of being NHL ready.
