Having just one night ago dumped the Coyotes in the former home of the franchise, the Flames and Coyotes squared off once again, this time in Calgary. The third of four straight games for the Flames this preseason.
The much more veteran lineup of the Flames jumped out to the lead midway through the first period as Matthew Lombardi, getting a chance to strut his stuff as the pivot of the star line with Iginla and Bertuzzi, was Johnny-on-the-spot collecting an Adrian Aucoin rebound.
The Flames surprised no one dominating the rookie laden Coyotes team in the first period, outshooting the Coyotes 13-4.
The Flames added to their lead in the second when the Mighty Squid, Mike Cammalleri, must have been ecstatic to score in his first appearance in a Flames uniform. Andre Roy would continue the mounting lead snatching a loose puck and depositing it in the empty cage.
The Roy goal was just in time to spell the end of Miikka Kiprusoff’s night being replaced by Curtis McElhinney to finish off the game.
During the second intermission, something must have been said in the Coyotes dressing room because the intensity of the play that they put forth for the remainder of the game sounded pretty impressive. But the Coyotes would only manage to get a single goal past Curtis McElhinney as the Flames would take the contest in the end.
Making the Grade
Curtis McElhinney – Tested a lot more than the man he’ll be backing up, and hopefully instilling some confidence in his coaches with his play. He was tested often by the Coyotes in the third period and allowed only a single goal.
Kris Chucko – Probably not for his play, but more for his attitude. His intermission interview with Kerr struck a note in that he was focused on the job that the coaching staff laid before him. Play well in your own zone, sounded like a kid committed to doing whatever is asked of him.
John Armstrong -Played in last night’s contest and again tonight. Armstrong put in a solid 15 minutes of ice and played a very physical game
Mixed Signals
Cory Sarich – Didn’t play with his usual partner in Regehr tonight, and seemed to struggle, took several penalties and didn’t sound like a veteran out there.
Work in Progress
John Negrin – Good kid, a lot of promise, but not there yet. He wasn’t as prominent (sounding) tonight, and perhaps that’s a good thing. But clearly not ready to make the jump.
New Kids on the Block
Todd Bertuzzi – While it sounds like a great idea to have Bertuzzi lining up with Iginla, the chemistry clearly isn’t there.. yet. Perhaps it won’t be, but Bertuzzi is clearly not on the same level as Iginla. Sounded largely invisible and clearly frustrated with his own play.
Andre Roy – Could have something to do with the level of the competition, but Roy made great use of his 40 seconds of ice time in the second period scoring the third goal for the Flames.
Mike Cammalleri – Squid was looking to make an impression, even in a preseason game, and likely did just that tonight.
Curtis Glencross – Maybe not as noticeable tonight, but the thing you can bet on hearing when his name is called is “with speed.” A third line with him and Rene Bourque should do wonders for the Flames bottom six, and spot duty on the lines above.
Ponder Points
Mikael Backlund was swapped with Matthew Lombardi on the Flames top line tonight, and Lombardi made a difference while Backlund probably got things a little easier tonight playing with Glencross and Cammalleri.
Lombardi showed that he wants to take a place in the Flames top six (though he’d fit perfectly, speed wise, with Glencross and Bourque) while Backlund looked a bit more comfortable, taking more shots and getting a confidence boost from the coach as he was on the ice for the final moments of the game.
“Goaltending edge to Keetley at this point?” was the comment from D’Arcy McGrath after last night’s game against the Coyotes. But with McElhinney’s play tonight, the teeter totter is definitely more on McHardtospell’s side.
Kiprusoff played well tonight in his half of the game though not overly tested facing only nine shots through 28 minutes of play, but apparently did make at least one very nice save. More playing time will give a better indication of his play.
