Penticton FGD: young Flames face the Canucks (4pm MT, Flames.com)

After a pair of games against Winnipeg and Edmonton, the Calgary Flames polish off their Young Stars Classic schedule this afternoon when they meet the tournament-hosting Vancouver Canucks. One big storyline of the game could be the collision (in a pre-season tournament) of London Knights teammates: Matthew Tkachuk and Tyler Parsons are expected to dress for Calgary, while Olli Juolevi could be suiting up for Vancouver.

The puck drops at 4pm MT and you can catch the streaming action on Flames.com and the Flames YouTube channel.

The boys in red are coming off a pair of interesting games. They out-played Winnipeg for the balance of their game and, on the back of some good goaltending by Jon Gillies and some timely goals, they coasted to a 4-1 win. Against Edmonton, their goaltending was much more shaky (particularly Mason McDonald) and their goals weren’t quite as timely, and they lost a narrow 4-3 decision in overtime.

Lines, via the Flames site:

Tkachuk – Jankowski – Carroll
Mangiapane – Lomberg – Tuulola
Dube – Kravchenko – Pollock
Doucet – Aagaard – Sevigny

Hyman – Andersson
Kylington – Bruce
Kanzig – Morrison

It’s the first time out for Bruce, Hyman and Sevigny. Notably absent is Morgan Klimchuk, who missed yesterday’s practice likely due to caution and/or a sore groin. Nick Schneider makes his first in-goal appearance of the tournament. Tyler Parsons will dress as the back-up and likely see a bit of action as well.

I’m a bit surprised that we see Tkachuk, Jankowski and Kylington again, but perhaps management wants to ensure that they hit main camp with some momentum on their side. Perhaps also today Tkachuk can stay out of the box.

Vancouver got thumped 4-1 by Edmonton in the tournament opener, then edged the Jets by a narrow 4-2 margin in their second game. The Canucks haven’t released lines, but I’d expect we’ll see the likes of Olli Juolevi, Cole Cassels and Tyler Coulter in this contest (especially since Vancouver didn’t bring a ton of extra bodies to the event). Goaltender Rylan Parenteau hasn’t played yet, so I surmise we might see him in net.

Given Calgary’s proclivity for taking penalties in this tournament thus far, and Vancouver’s ability to stay out of the box, special teams could play a bit part in today’s festivities.

In five previous Young Stars meetings, Vancouver has won three of them. To be charitable to the Flames, most of their games with the Canucks at this event have been close.

It’s the final game of the tournament and the final chance for young’uns to make an impression before everyone returns home. Main camp opens with medicals on Thursday.