A fan should never get ahead of themselves when it comes to preseason.
Teams dress skeleton rosters, teams half have assed efforts, bottom line … no standings, no matter
Yet from the Flames stand point, you just have to love three straight wins, the depth of scoring, and a climax of the four game set with an 8-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
Bottom line the Flames at this point in the non season seem to have a whole bucket full of options when it comes to filling out their lines and deciding on not only a top six but perhaps a top nine. Like the game in Winnipeg, and the first half of the game last night, the Flames came in waves tonight with speed. Every line first to fourth looked like the last. Good sign.
Making the Grade
Curtis McElhinney – Pitched a shut out in his half of the game, facing more shots than Miikka Kiprusoff. His play was more important than the score would dictate as the game hung in the balance through forty.
Adam Pardy – Another solid game for Casper the friendly Defenseman. You didn’t see him, which is exactly what a stay at home is looking for. Never looks out of place.
Mixed Signals
No weak links in this one … as the score would dictate. The Flames carried this one for the most part from midway through the first to the end of the game. No passengers.
Work in Progress
A very veteran group, Pardy on the blueline and Michael Backlund up front was the gist of the youth in play in this one. Pardy as said above was solid, and Backlund had his moments, but for a young offensive player looking to make the grade he just hasn’t done enough to justify a stay in Calgary in my opinion. Was shut down after a decent first for taking too long a shift. Now will he be at that level in December should he stay? Probably. Not my decision.
New Kids on the Block
Todd Bertuzzi – By leaps and bounds his best game as a Flame. A classic backhand pass for Cammalleri’s goal, and then a true star play to score his own freezing Vokoun and sliding the puck into the net. A less tense effort as the big man let his soft hands do the work in this one.
Mike Cammalleri – Not as noticeable as Bertuzzi in this one, but scored a great deflection goal after Florida rose up and tied the game in the second.
Curtis Glencross – His best night in Calgary colours as well, speed, tenacity and added a goal and an assist. To think this guy will be a third line player this year in Calgary.
Rene Bourque – Out shown by Glencross in this one, but finally scored a goal after two other starts that he should have notched a total of five.
Mark Giordano – one assist, but a solid effort again for a guy adjusting back to NHL hockey. Looks to be a solid addition to the club.
Home Grown Assertion
David Moss – Has had two solid games thus far through camp but hit the mother load in this one with two goals and two assists, with three of which coming in the third. Is he a 20 goal guy? Can’t see it, but hopefully he’s ten plus in a third line role.
Dustin Boyd – Another game another two points as Dustin Boyd fires a shot over the bow of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin for the Art Ross Trophy this season. Yes I kid, but “Justin” continues to make a case for top six duty by going to the net, setting up his linemates and showing more strength in traffic.
Ponder Points
Michael Backlund has skill, he had two eye popping shifts in the first period. He will be a solid Calgary Flame in the not too distant future, but he’s not ready now and with the depth the Flames seem to have he shouldn’t factor into an already confused roster situation currently facing Darryl Sutter.
If there was ever any doubt about Rhett Warrener’s character, check out this training camp. From smack downs on youth through drills, to his physical display tonight it is clear that the over paid depth defenseman will NOT go quietly into the night. Solid in his puck play and came to the defense of his teammates on four different occasions tonight churning up nine minutes in penalties.
