The Flames fell to the Canucks 4-2 in preseason action last night.

While this isn’t the desired outcome in any professional sports game, the Canucks iced a much more veteran roster — so there is at least one excuse to use on your friends from Vancouver. Further to that point, seven NHL veterans contributed on the Canucks score sheet with at least a point. Once again the game was won in the first with three goals against - including two power play markers. The Flames came out playing a more disciplined, patient game in the final 40 minutes and it resulted in a 2-1 total in periods two and three combined.


The game had a lot going on, so let’s dive in:


Dube got comfortable at center
It took about thirty minutes, but Dillon Dube started looking comfortable playing the middle between Andrew Mangiapane and Brett Ritchie. While he’s played the position a good amount in the AHL and WHL — it was one of his first looks at the NHL level. Dube notched a powerplay tally with a seeing eye wrist shot in the second period to get the Flames on the board. On a penalty kill in the first, he failed to close the gap on Conor Garland for the first Canucks goal.

Glen Gawdin and Oliver Ekman-Larsson don’t like each other
Gawdin traded a few big hits with the recent acquisition out of Arizona and the two were jawing each other all game. Expect to see more of that if Gawdin makes the Flames out of camp — something Sutter has been hinting towards in post-game conferences.

Oliver Kylington played well
Kylington played a great passing game yesterday. The perennial doghouse resident made smooth plays off the wall and Consistently got the puck up the neutral zone quickly. His solid play was rewarded with an assist on Dube’s goal in the second.

Valimaki underwhelmed
Valimaki struggled with the puck, made poor decisions, and failed to make reads. It’s been a disappointing preseason for the 22 year old Finn. He was held off the scoresheet last night and posted a -1.


Another strong performance from Vladar
Vladar stopped 14 of 15 shots last night taking the second half of split duties with Adam Werner. It took a perfectly placed wrist shot under the bar to finally beat him. Getting outshot 8-1 in the first nine minutes of the third period; Vladar kept the Flames at a one goal deficit by means of sheer will.




Have a great day,




Trevor Neufeld




Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld

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