Flames Post-Game: Flames rookies outscore Oilers in Battle of Alberta showdown

The Flames responded just over three minutes later, as Kadon McCann battled to get a shot off on the Oilers’ netminder. Although it was saved and put behind the net, Nathan Brisson was able to follow it up and put it to the front of the net, finding Hunter Laing for the tap-in.

After the first period, the two teams were deadlocked at one, but it was the Flames that took over in the second period. With a little under six minutes burned off the clock, Oilers’ forward Brady Stonehouse had a rough turnover, and Jacob Battaglia picked up the puck. It didn’t take long for the Flames’ 2024 second-rounder to make a decision, throwing the puck over to Brisson, who tapped it in.

The Flames converted on their first power play of the game less than a minute into it. After some puck movement, the puck went to 2024 first-rounder Matvei Gridin above the face-off dot. He found Samuel Honzek backdoor, with the Flames’ 2023 first-rounder deflecting it in with his skate for the 3-1 lead with a little over half the game remaining.

With under two minutes left in the period, 2026 third-rounder Mace’o Phillips forced a turnover and started the offence the other way. He showed good poise to get the puck to Aydar Suniev, and after a give-and-go with Carter King, the Flames’ 2023 third-rounder buried it with a one-timer.

On a neutral zone face-off with about six minutes into the third period, the Flames looked slow and allowed Oilers’ top prospect Matthew Savoie to split the defence. A slash resulted in a penalty shot, with Savoie just barely slipping it by Say’s pad to cut the lead in half.

The Flames got that goal back with about 11 minutes to play. It was a bit of a broken odd-man rush, with Gridin firing it from a tough angle, getting a fortuitous bounce off the Oilers’ netminder back for the 5-2 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Flames to extend their lead to four, as the Flames had a heavy forecheck on the shift after the fifth goal. A pinch led to the puck coming to Hunter Laing, who threw it across to a wide-open Parker Bell, who beat the Oilers’ netminder to take a 6-2 lead. 

The Oilers got their third goal of the game late in the third period, as the Flames had a horrific change, allowing Matt Capponi to find Connor Clattenburg all alone in front of the net, chipping it over Say’s blocker to make it 6-3.

It didn’t take the Oilers to make things interesting, as Savoie burst in with speed again, slipping it under Say’s pads on a partial break to bring the Oilers to within two.

The Oilers managed to make it a one-goal game, but it was far too late as Quinn Hutson was able to beat Say over the glove with just two seconds left, giving the game a final score of 6-5.

Takeaways…

Early in the broadcast, it was noted that Samuel Honzek gained 15 pounds in the off-season. He was the best player on the ice all game, even picking up the Flames’ third goal of the game. Last season, he did well enough in pre-season to earn a spot on the roster. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him do the same.

Aydar Suniev scored the Flames’ fourth goal of the game, a well-placed one-timer that beat the Oilers’ netminder to the post. Unfortunately, he blocked a shot early in the third period and headed down the tunnel. Thankfully, he returned after missing a few shifts.

Owen Say was the Flames’ netminder in this game. He was beaten early in the game and did well to keep the puck out until the third period, before his defence let him down. There was no shot clock in this game, but Say was able to make a few big saves, especially in the first and second periods.

On defence, Mace’o Phillips had a fight and picked up an assist, showing great poise on the Flames’ fourth goal of the game.  Étienne Morin and Hunter Brzustewicz were noticeable as well, completely dominating a shift in the second period.

Matvei Gridin had a good game and was bumped up to the first line while Suniev was injured. He picked up a goal and an assist and was all over the place. Pretty good game, and the same goes for Hunter Laing.

It was a feisty Battle of Alberta, as there were three separate fights in this game. It’s nice that hockey is back, even if it’s just rookie action. The two teams will battle again on Sunday at 4:00 PM MT.