Flames finish off scrimmage season, Phase 4 awaits

The Calgary Flames had their third and final intrasquad scrimmage on Friday afternoon. Team White continued its dominance with a 3-0 victory over Team Red.

Here’s the scoring summary via Pat Steinberg:

 

Czarnik and Bennett rotated on the right side of the top line in Lindholm’s absence. Gillies swapped for Zagidulin midway though the second period and shared the shutout.

Elias Lindholm didn’t participate, but he practiced on Thursday (and practiced on Saturday, hitting the ice just before this article went up) so it seems like no big deal. Once again, Glenn Gawdin and Matthew Phillips were unfit to participate.

Well, David Rittich allowed three goals (pushing him to 12 GA) while Cam Talbot got the day off. Geoff Ward told the media afterwards that the Flames are bringing four goalies to Edmonton, plus they’ll likely have Talbot and Rittich split Tuesday’s exhibition against Edmonton.

The Flames are all saying the right things and all reports from camp are that the group is looking more and more dialed-in and business-like in their demeanour as camp has progressed. Milan Lucic commented earlier this week that the team is focused on proving last year’s playoff gaffe was a one-off.

Words are one thing, but it’s almost time for them to have the opportunity to back them up with action.

Sunday is the Flames’ travel day, as they take a charter flight up to Edmonton and enter the bubble. They play the Oilers on Tuesday in a friendly, then kick off the post-season against Winnipeg next Saturday.

Phase 4 is almost upon us.