For the second time in as many nights the Calgary Flames potted four in a winning effort against the Vancouver Canucks.
Some thoughts:
- Playing the Canucks seems to bring the best out of the Flames even with an extremely watered down lineup. After scoring just four times in three preseason games prior the Flames have now scored four against the Canucks in consecutive games.
- Raise your hand if you thought Brandon Bollig would score a pair last night. I know Bollig is very good but if there's one thing he can do it's shoot a puck. He's a bubble player, I think, so last night's game was big for him.
- Tyler Wotherspoon logged over 22 minutes of ice and was one of two Flames players - Morgan Klimchuk the other - that finished with a positive shot attempt differential at even-strength. He's making a good case for himself to make the team.
- Karri Ramo needed to play well last night and he certainly did that as he stopped 40-43 (.930SV%) in the win. He stole the win.
- Matt Stajan recorded three assists and played almost four minutes on a PK unit that killed off four of five penalties. I think he's ready for the regular season.
- Rasmus Andersson played more than 20 minutes and you could argue his most glaring mistake was firing a puck over the glass. I don't know if he's ready for the big time just yet but he's not far off. As a big time Andersson backer I'm glad he's showing well because I graded him as a 1st round talent and had him ranked ahead of some big name OHLers like Lawson Crouse, for example. I love Andersson's potential.
Recent posts Predicting the Pacific Division standings