The Edmonton Oilers dressed Ales Hemsky, Georges Laraque and a bunch of other guys on Saturday night in a game that predictably provided little in the way of a test for Calgary's Roman Turek.

Right or wrong there will be a lot of pressure on Turek to deliver a more consistent season this year if the Flames are to entertain any hopes of making the playoffs.

In stopping 14 shots and shutting out the Oilers through two periods last night, Turek would seem to be on the right track but there was also the obligatory easy slapper from the side boards that skiffed its way through his pads before being rescued on the goal line by defenceman Toni Lydman.

Deja vu all over again?

No, just new pads according to Turek. Take a valium. Relax. They'll soften up by the time October rolls around.

CAMP IMPLICATIONS 

A few more guys solidified their hold on jobs while no one really talked themselves out of a job, as might be expected in a 4-1 win.

Robert Dome, however, might have been wondering what he did to deserve fourth line duty and only eight minutes of ice time.

DEFENCE 

Andrew Ference continues to make a statement that he can be more than a hanger-on in the NHL, getting ample ice time (26:17) in all situations and using it well, particularly on the rush.

This training camp isn't necessarily about whether or not Ference will make the team, but how far up the totem pole he might go. Smallish at only 5'10" but all muscle at about 200 lbs., coach Sutter would love to have Ference's overall skill package taking a regular shift through the season.

On one memorable shift, Ference came across the blue line with speed, swung around an Oiler defenceman and nearly connected on a backhand as he charged the net.

Jordan Leopold looked a more poised and confident version of the raw rookie who came to camp last season. A plus three on the night, Leopold logged 25:51 in ice time with defence mate Robyn Regehr. Get used to the ice time number. That's likely to be his average the entire season if he's paired with Regehr. The Flames will desperately need Leopold to step up this season and provide offence from the back line.

Regehr was a standout on the night, aggressively pounding on Georges Laraque through the evening and memorably tossing young Ales Hemsky into the boards on one occasion, all the while a plus three and logging 22:09 of ice time.

Mike Commodore is one of the bubble defencemen fighting for a job and only got half a game in - 6:25 in ice time - before being tossed after a fight. No mistakes though . . . . . but the caliber of opposition will undoubtedly challenge him more as the pre-season winds down.

There's no danger of Toni Lydman not making this team but a few rusty defensive gaffes early on marred his night.

OFFENCE

Robert Dome, a guy trying to make the club on his skill, was saddled with fourth line duty with Kryzysztof Oliwa and Jason Morgan, and seemed to disappear altogether in the second period - literally - before getting some ice time in the third and scoring a pure talent goal on a Jarome Iginla pass. Of all the bubble forwards, the guys who have a realistic shot at being here on opening night, Dome was the least used, logging only 8:01 of ice time, including zero powerplay time and only 30 seconds killing penalties.

Matthew Lombardi played a solid two-way game and showed some offensive creativity . . . . . but didn't do anything on this night to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Another one of the bubble forwards, he was granted 15:04 of ice time, including 2:13 killing penalties and 3:16 power play time.

Blair Betts, centering Martin Gelinas and Chuck Kobasew, didn't look out of place at all in an offensive role. At this moment, with his speed, size, modicum of skill and passion, Betts looks like a lock to make the team.

Kobasew was fully involved physically and continues to instinctively know when to detach himself from the crowd to find a spot where the puck will seemingly inevitably go. That was clearly the case on his second marker of the pre-season, Gelinas working the puck free from Ty Conklin's glove and Kobasew parked at the side of the net alone to bang in the rebound. But everyone knows Kobasew can score. It might be more important to note he's also paying attention to the two-way details coach Sutter will be demanding.

Gelinas, rumoured to be a potential waiver wire salary dump, was probably the best forward on the night for either team, a poised veteran toying with the kids of Edmonton while scoring once and adding an assist. It would be a crying shame if they let this guy go for pure money reasons.

The McAmmond, Conroy, Iginla trio struggled at times, although the latter two demonstrated their ongoing mind meld early on when Iginla feathered a no look backhand pass right onto the stick of Conroy for an excellent chance in the slot.

Chris Clark's ultimate role with the Flames almost depends on how well others might do versus his own efforts. If Kobasew, Shean Donovan or even Dome excel in this camp, the consensus seems to be that Clark will move further down the depth chart. On this night, Clark turned in a serviceable game as a prototypical third or fourth-liner will usually do.

Although he has little chance of cracking the centre ice ranks, Morgan made a statement by twice pounding Laraque into the boards. Limited ice time but not out of place and a probable call-up through the season in event of injuries.

GOALTENDERS 

While Turek was working on his rusty spots (flopping on his back a few times) and softening up his new pads, the most intriguing prospect in camp, Brent Krahn, was turning in another solid effort.

Although beaten late on a screen shot he had no chance on, Krahn looks poised, confident and agile in the Calgary net, a prospect many thought was buried under a thundercloud of injuries but is now fighting his way back onto the radar screen.

Regardless of where he ends up this year, Krahn needs a full, healthy season with lots of playing time. If he gets that, he could be in a Calgary uniform quicker than many might think.

We might still see a horse race between Krahn and Rick DiPietro.