Post-Game: Prospecting for goals in Red Deer

The Calgary Flames drew first blood in the (pre-pre-season) Battle of Alberta. On the neutral grounds of Red Deer’s Centrium, the Flames’ prospects beat the Edmonton Oilers’ prospects by a 1-0 score in overtime.

There wasn’t a lot of scoring and this game was pretty scrambley, but both teams had some nice flashes.

Neither team looked great on the power play, but much of that is likely a product of only have a couple practices under their belts with the groups they have. But at even strength, Edmonton’s Ryan McLeod and Tyler Benson looked dangerous while the Flames’ top line of Glenn Gawdin, Dillon Dube and Matthew Phillips were sharp.

The goaltenders for both teams were sharp. Dylan Wells and Stuart Skinner split duties for Edmonton and were good, albeit not tested a ton. Artyom Zagidulin was tested frequently for the Flames and was incredibly calm and poised in net, posting a 31-save shutout.

The Flames scored early in overtime, as Zagidulin stopped an Oilers chance at one end and that allowed Dube and Phillips to head off on a two-on-one rush the other way. Dube found Phillips for the wrister and the 1-0 victory.

Zagidulin was superb in his first real North American action, so he gets the nod.

Martin Pospisil was a wrecking ball for the Flames. He had a fight, took two minors and drew two minors. His nine penalty minutes paced the game for either side.

Forward Eetu Tuulola left the game late in the third period with a left leg injury. The Oilers TV broadcast speculated that his knee locked up. He didn’t seem to be in agony, but he had to be helped off the ice.

Flames try-out D Montana Onyebushi dropped Beau Starrett in a second period fight that was basically both guys dropping their gloves and Onyebushi dropping Starrett with a quick punch. Pospisil fought Vincent Desharnais after Pospisil hammered Cooper Marody with a hard hit. Yes, there were more fights than goals in this one.

The Flames and Oilers do this all over again on Tuesday night at the Saddledome. Tickets are just five bucks.