GAME RECAP: Flames 4, Oilers 0

CALGARY, AB - A young Oilers lineup couldn't find the offensive spark they needed, falling to the Flames 4-0 in Calgary on Wednesday night.
The Flames were lead by a split shutout performance by Jacob Markstrom and Dustin Wolf, while veterans Brett Sutter and Michael Stone picked up a couple second period goals to lead the way offensively for Calgary.
The Oilers squad that traveled to Calgary featured just four players that eliminated the Flames in Game 5 of Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Derek Ryan, and Tyson Barrie skating on the evening.
On the other bench, the Flames started a veteran-aden lineup including starting netminder Jacob Markstrom and off-season pickups in Nazem Kadri and Mackenzie Weegar. That duo would connect for the Flames in the third period, with Weeger picking up his first goal in Flames silks late in the third courtesy of a Kadri feed.
"We knew they were going to dress most of their full lineup," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said. "First period we got our sea legs under us and started to play a little bit better. It was 2-0 after two periods, we were competing hard. There were things we can do better offensively for sure."
The only other goal of the game was picked up by another new Flames addition, with Jonathan Huberdeau picking up a late empty-netter to officially cap off the game.
The Oilers wont have to wait long to get another shot at the Flames, taking on their Alberta rivals at Rogers Place on Friday night.

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FIRST BLOOD

The Flames opened the scoring courtesy of the coach's son.
After Ryan McLeod was sent to the box for tripping, the Flames were able to find some space on the powerplay. Veteran defenceman Michael Stone ripped a shot wide of the net, which conveniently landed on the stick of Brett Sutter who neatly chipped the loose puck past Pickard. The goal came one second after McLeod stepped out of the box and the penalty expired.
The goal was the 35-year-old journeyman's second of the preseason, having scored a late power-play goal in the Flames 4-0 win over the Canucks on Sunday. Sutter joined the Flames new American Hockey League affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers after a seven year stint with the Ontario Reign.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Midway though the first period while the Flames were on a powerplay, the Flames new $ 84-million-dollar man Jonathan Huberdeau showed off why he led the NHL in assists, finding a streaking Tyler Toffoli down the right wing.
The Flames sniper fired a shot which was turned aside by a sprawling Calvin Pickard. The uncoventional save was one of 16 on the night, before the goaltender was replaced by Stuart Skinner late in the second period. The 30-year-old has acquitted himself quite well between the Oilers pipes, stopping all but one of the 27 shots he's faced in exhibition action.

With Stuart Skinner likely beginning the season as the primary backup to Jack Campbell, Pickard is expected to be a key member of the Bakersfield Condors after appearing in 43 games last season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.
"I think that's a really good sign," Woodcroft said about the play of his goaltender. "It's a credit to our goalie department, the scouts, and Keith Gretzky for really identifying Pickard as a goaltender to come in. You never know what happens in a season, but to have that type of depth I think it's very good and he should feel very good about his game tonight."

TURNING POINT

Veteran defenceman Michael Stone, who is in Calgary's Main Camp on a PTO, had the type of showing that could earn him a full-time roster spot on Wednesday night. The 32-year-old showed off his trademark bomb of a shot a couple times in the second period, both times leading to Flames goals.
After the Sutter opener, Stone found a loose puck at the top of the right circle that he was able to step into and hammer the puck off the post and in behind Stuart Skinner. The goal came with just 3:24 remaining in the second frame, doubling the Flames advantage and giving them a lead they would not relinquish.

PARTING WORDS

Head Coach Jay Woodcroft on his thoughts on the game:
I think the way we framed it this morning is it's an opportunity. For me, we learned any time you're playing these preseason games your gathering information as a coaching staff and seeing who rises to the occasion, who keeps getting better on a daily basis.
Jay Woodcroft on the play of Tyson Barrie:
"I think Tyson Barrie played a heck of a game. He showed a lot ofleadership, second of two games in a row on the road. As a veteran player to come in and perform the way he did, I thought that was excellent"
Jay Woodcroft on what he liked from his team in Calgary:
"There were some good signs in our team game, the penalty kill was really good. Some things to build on and some things to work on."

Calvin Pickard on playing Calgary's top players:
"It's exactly what I want in the preseason, coming in and playing against the big guys. Obviously you want to win in the preseason, but at the same time you want to get back into game shape and face a lot of tough situations."
Dylan Holloway on playing in his hometown:
"It was pretty cool, I wish I would have played a little bit better. I had a lot of friends and family here tonight. obviously going against the hometown team wher eI'm from is a pretty cool experience. I had a lot of fun out there even though we didnt get the W."