<p>The Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks in pre-season action on Saturday night at the Saddledome. Their meeting was a rematch of Wednesday night&#8217;s clash in Abbotsford that saw Vancouver win in overtime.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
<p>On Saturday, with a veteran-laden roster accented with some interesting prospects, the Flames played quite well, ultimately besting the Canucks by a 4-2 score.</p>
<h1>The rundown</h1>
<p>The Flames opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game. Sam Honzek threw the puck into the net-front area from behind the net, creating some havoc. The puck went back to the point and Brayden Pachal fired it on net, with Honzek, Connor Zary and a pair of Vancouver defenders providing screens on Arturs Silovs, allowing Pachal&#8217;s shot to find the net to give the Flames a 1-0 edge.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥Flames Goal🔥</p>
<p>Brayden Pachal&#39;s point shot finds it&#39;s way to the back of the net! </p>
<p>That goal happens because of the great work by Sam Honzek on the forecheck! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/orSzWsgw4J">pic.twitter.com/orSzWsgw4J</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840199012168695896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Awhile later the Flames made it 2-0. After an offensive zone face-off win, MacKenzie Weegar chucked a puck on net. It hit a body in front – possibly Kevin Rooney&#8217;s – and bounced to Ryan Lomberg, who fired the puck past Silovs to make it 2-0 Flames.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥Flames Goal🔥</p>
<p>Ryan Lomberg scores his first goal of the preseason! </p>
<p>2-0 Flames! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/ULiJaUjijT">pic.twitter.com/ULiJaUjijT</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840200573158649976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Canucks ate into the Flames&#8217; lead before the end of the first period off a weird goal. Jonathan Letterimaki fired the puck, with Artem Grushnikov attempting to block it. The resulting contact made the puck flutter into the air, past Dan Vladar and into the Flames net, cutting the Flames&#8217; advantage to 2-1.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨Canucks Goal🚨</p>
<p>Jonathan Lekkerimäki&#39;s shot goes off a Flames defenceman high up in the air and some how finds it&#39;s way to the back of the net! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/rDvBUHNhsa">pic.twitter.com/rDvBUHNhsa</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840201795982774278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Flames made it 3-1 in the second period just after a power play expired. The Canucks couldn&#8217;t quite clear their zone, leading to Pachal firing a puck on net that was deflected by Blake Coleman to give the Flames a two-goal lead.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥Flames Goal🔥</p>
<p>Blake Coleman tips home a Brayden Pachal point shot! </p>
<p>3-1 Flames </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/GZuQC7GYJJ">pic.twitter.com/GZuQC7GYJJ</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840215031377449363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Canucks made it a one goal lead later in the period. Nils Hoglander sent Conor Garland and Aatu Raty in against Grushnikov on a two-on-one. Grushnikov got caught in no man&#8217;s land, allowing Garland to set up Raty to make it a 3-2 hockey game.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨Canucks Goal🚨</p>
<p>Conor Garland sets up Aatu Räty who rips a shot past Dan Vladar! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/XJIxOJpvXp">pic.twitter.com/XJIxOJpvXp</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840216756616360437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>But the Flames pulled away a little later, as Adam Klapka fired a puck from the point that eluded Silovs and gave the Flames a 4-2 lead.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥Flames Goal🔥</p>
<p>Adam Klapka scores his third goal of the preseason! </p>
<p>4-2 Flames </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/Vu8ehkvmHn">pic.twitter.com/Vu8ehkvmHn</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840219117321605617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Devin Cooley (for Calgary) and Nikita Tolopilo (for Vancouver) were the goaltenders for the final 20 minutes. The third period was a little chippy and penalty-filled, but the Flames held on for the 4-2 victory.</p>
<h1>Why the Flames won<strong><br />
</strong></h1>
<p>If we&#8217;re calling a spade a spade, the Flames dressed a (mostly) veteran lineup and the Canucks largely sent their Abbotsford AHL roster. If you predicted a win for the home side, it wouldn&#8217;t have been unexpected.</p>
<p>But give the Flames credit: they battled, they played well in all three zones, and they were the better team overall. It wasn&#8217;t a spotless game, but the two goals against were on a weird bounce and a defensive lapse, respectively.</p>
<h1>Red Warrior</h1>
<p>We&#8217;ve gotta give it to Honzek, who was making things happen basically every time he hit the ice. He was superb.</p>
<p>Also standing out for positive reasons: Lomberg, Klapka, Zary and Pachal. The fourth line and third pairing, in particular, made life difficult for the Canucks.</p>
<h1>Turning point</h1>
<p>The Flames were quite good in the second period and never really allowed the Canucks to inch closer after they made it 2-1.</p>
<h1>This and that</h1>
<p>Here&#8217;s how the Flames lined up:</p>
<p>Huberdeau-Sharangovich-Mantha<br />
Pelletier-Backlund [A]-Coleman [A]<br />
Honzek-Zary-Frk<br />
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka</p>
<p>Weegar-Miromanov<br />
Hanley-Andersson [A]<br />
Grushnikov-Pachal</p>
<p>Dan Vladar stated in goal, relieved by Devin Cooley for the third period.</p>
<p>The Canucks were generally unhappy with Klapka during this game, particularly for how physically engaged he was. They really did not like an awkward hit on Akiro Hirose in the third period.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Klapka dangerously hits Akito Hirose into the boards. Hirose was down for a bit and ended up going to the Canucks locker room.   <a href="https://t.co/NFwzPNUcAp">pic.twitter.com/NFwzPNUcAp</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840227033068249136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h1>Up next</h1>
<p>The Flames have an off day on Sunday, then are back in action on Monday when they host the Seattle Kraken.</p>


The Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks in pre-season action on Saturday night at the Saddledome. Their meeting was a rematch of Wednesday night's clash in Abbotsford that saw Vancouver win in overtime.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
On Saturday, with a veteran-laden roster accented with some interesting prospects, the Flames played quite well, ultimately besting the Canucks by a 4-2 score.
<h1>The rundown</h1>
The Flames opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game. Sam Honzek threw the puck into the net-front area from behind the net, creating some havoc. The puck went back to the point and Brayden Pachal fired it on net, with Honzek, Connor Zary and a pair of Vancouver defenders providing screens on Arturs Silovs, allowing Pachal's shot to find the net to give the Flames a 1-0 edge.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840199012168695896

Awhile later the Flames made it 2-0. After an offensive zone face-off win, MacKenzie Weegar chucked a puck on net. It hit a body in front – possibly Kevin Rooney's – and bounced to Ryan Lomberg, who fired the puck past Silovs to make it 2-0 Flames.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840200573158649976

The Canucks ate into the Flames' lead before the end of the first period off a weird goal. Jonathan Letterimaki fired the puck, with Artem Grushnikov attempting to block it. The resulting contact made the puck flutter into the air, past Dan Vladar and into the Flames net, cutting the Flames' advantage to 2-1.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840201795982774278

The Flames made it 3-1 in the second period just after a power play expired. The Canucks couldn't quite clear their zone, leading to Pachal firing a puck on net that was deflected by Blake Coleman to give the Flames a two-goal lead.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840215031377449363

The Canucks made it a one goal lead later in the period. Nils Hoglander sent Conor Garland and Aatu Raty in against Grushnikov on a two-on-one. Grushnikov got caught in no man's land, allowing Garland to set up Raty to make it a 3-2 hockey game.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840216756616360437

But the Flames pulled away a little later, as Adam Klapka fired a puck from the point that eluded Silovs and gave the Flames a 4-2 lead.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1840219117321605617

Devin Cooley (for Calgary) and Nikita Tolopilo (for Vancouver) were the goaltenders for the final 20 minutes. The third period was a little chippy and penalty-filled, but the Flames held on for the 4-2 victory.
<h1>Why the Flames won<strong>
</strong></h1>
If we're calling a spade a spade, the Flames dressed a (mostly) veteran lineup and the Canucks largely sent their Abbotsford AHL roster. If you predicted a win for the home side, it wouldn't have been unexpected.

But give the Flames credit: they battled, they played well in all three zones, and they were the better team overall. It wasn't a spotless game, but the two goals against were on a weird bounce and a defensive lapse, respectively.
<h1>Red Warrior</h1>
We've gotta give it to Honzek, who was making things happen basically every time he hit the ice. He was superb.

Also standing out for positive reasons: Lomberg, Klapka, Zary and Pachal. The fourth line and third pairing, in particular, made life difficult for the Canucks.
<h1>Turning point</h1>
The Flames were quite good in the second period and never really allowed the Canucks to inch closer after they made it 2-1.
<h1>This and that</h1>
Here's how the Flames lined up:

Huberdeau-Sharangovich-Mantha
Pelletier-Backlund [A]-Coleman [A]
Honzek-Zary-Frk
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka

Weegar-Miromanov
Hanley-Andersson [A]
Grushnikov-Pachal

Dan Vladar stated in goal, relieved by Devin Cooley for the third period.

The Canucks were generally unhappy with Klapka during this game, particularly for how physically engaged he was. They really did not like an awkward hit on Akiro Hirose in the third period.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1840227033068249136
<h1>Up next</h1>
The Flames have an off day on Sunday, then are back in action on Monday when they host the Seattle Kraken.

Calgary Flames Post-Game: Flames best Canucks in Saturday night (exhibition) clash

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