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The Calgary Flames completed their split squad games last night held in both Regina Saskatchewan and at home in Calgary. Of the two games played with a pretty even distribution of veterans and rookies, the Flames beat the Islanders in front of a home crowd 5-3, in addition to a 4-2 win in Regina.
These would be the first two preseason games for the Islanders who would start things off slow losing both matches. I wholeheartedly expected a better performance from the squad they put together in Regina given that their first line was intact and Nabokov was tending the net, however the Flames rallied for the win with help from Karri Ramo.
Despite his team outshooting the Islanders quite heavily, Ramo faced 23 shots for the night and saved all but two. His first performance for the Flames wasn’t overly strong; however I was much more impressed with his efforts in Regina as he helped his team secure his first win of the preseason. As no surprise to anyone, Ramo is continuing to battle for that starting position and even with his strong performance, it isn’t going to be an easy feat.
In Regina, Sean Monahan was the most impressive throughout the game as he finished the night with two goals. I have to say - his play is starting to skew my good judgment that says he should be sent back down after his nine games with the Flames. If he maintains this strong play he is going to make one hell of a case for the coaching staff to either send him down for more development, or let him play with the big boys.
The third star for that game goes to Emile Poirier who, like Monahan, is slated to go back to juniors before regular season really kicks in. With that being said, just like Monahan, he is also making a case for staying as long as possible with solid board play, net presence, and communication out on the ice. This kid who was nicknamed “Oh God Feaster What Have You Done!?” just a few months ago, has been gaining the attention and respect of many with each game he plays.
“In my head, I’m not going back,” Poirier said. “I’m here to do whatever I need to do to stay here. I’ll do anything.” – Calgary Sun
Outside of Monahan’s line in Regina, there was another group of guys who impressed in front of a home crowd in Calgary as well. With another two goal win over the Islanders, Joey MacDonald, Dennis Wideman, and TJ Galiardi were the players who stood out the most.
As mentioned above, there continues to be a battle for the starting goaltender position and despite being the older and veteran guy of the bunch, Joey MacDonald is making a case of his own. In spite of allowing an early goal and starting things on a bad note in front of fans, MacDonald stood his ground for the remainder of the game making a few key saves when it mattered. I suppose the game could have ended a little differently given that Joey was helped out a few times by a goalie’s best friend – the post - though.
Another of the veteran players who had a very good game was Wideman who ended the night with two big goals and one big hit on Cal Clutterbuck who the defenseman sent flying with a solid hip check. Clutterbuck would later leave the game with an undisclosed injury, though it could have been as a result of said hit.
The third player of interest from the Calgary game was newly acquired winger/centerman TJ Galiardi who played his first game at center for the Flames between Curtis Glencross and Lee Stempniak. Galiardi went 11-11 in the faceoff dot for the night and would secure a highlight reel worthy toe-drag goal against Islanders Poulin.
Given their lack of depth at center Galiardi is being tested out down the middle, a position which he’s quite familiar with in fact.
"I played centre growing up, I played centre in college, in the WHL and in my first year in the NHL when (current flames assistant) Jacques Cloutier was my assistant coach," said Galiardi, who centred Lee Stempniak and Curtis Glencross. "I think he was the one that suggested it to (Flames coach) Bob (Hartley) when they traded for me."
"I felt he could help us in the middle and it's the perfect time of the year to try him because you need repetition," said Cloutier, who ran the bench with Hartley in Regina with the other half of the Flames split squad. "He needs to play down low and needs some forechecking and I think tonight was probably his best game. He was moving well and hopefully he can keep it up and we can keep him in the middle." – cbc.ca/sports
Only 25 years old, the 6’2 210lbs forward was picked up by the Flames in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2015 from the San Jose Sharks. Galiardi was one of a few young additions to the roster over the summer for Calgary, and he is certainly showing some promise for the rebuilding team is who is desperate need of center depth.
The Calgary Flames are expected to being making their cuts today as the team prepares for regular season play. With only two preseason games remaining for the Flames, they’ve waited a little longer than most teams to make significant cuts; however the coach says he had no other choice given injuries which the team has suffered.
Below are the players I expect to be let go later on today, though there could be a few surprises with the amount of open roster spots available on this young team.
Ben Hanowski, Josh Jooris, Corban Knight, Turner Elson, Coda Gordon, Chris McKelvie, Chad Billins, Laurent Brossoit, Ben Street, John Ramage
That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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