Thoughts on the game:

[PunjabiOil*]

1) Pronger is a HUGE addition to this team. Great job in front of the net, clearing, and making that long pass. Were times he could have shot the puck rather than passing it......

2) Hilarious how so many bandwagon Flames Fans were at Rexall place. Where were these guys for the past 7 years? There was a large mix of Flames fans tonight...and it's only pre-season. You can conclude the bandwagon factor, since most of the flames jersies that were worn, were the ones revealed in the 2003-2004 NHL season.

3) Loved the ''Calgary Sucks'' chants in the LRT

4) Was it pre-season? Couldn't tell. Fans totally into it. Never heard the ''Go Oilers Go'' chants this much in a regular season game before, let alone the pre-season... Huge lineup for tixs....we had to settle for the Terrace section at 65.75 per ticket! Everything else was sold out.

5) With the NHL back, the CFL all of a sudden seems like a joke.
This is a hockey city...

6) Shoot outs are without doubt exciting. Whether they're appropriate to end the game, the answer is no. That said, I'm not complaining.....loved the whole arena on it's feet when Pronger and Smyth had a chance to win it.

7) Calgary had a terrible roster tonight

8) Schremp should make the team. Significantly improves the powerplay, made many smart, quick passes and decisions

9) Rita I thought played pretty well. Good two way hockey...did fan on a huge chance though. Redeemed it later by going hard at the net with open ice.

10) MAB was a disappointment....liablility on defence

11) Stoll at the point is making sense.

12) Horcoff had a pretty bad game in my view. Stick handling and controlling the puck just isn't his cup of tea......ends plays prematurely. I just don't think he has what it takes to be a top 6 player.

13) Morrison made some key saves. I think he can be a reliable backup in this league.

14) Lots of props to Semenov. This guy had a great game, great infront of the net. Blocked shot. He's come back determined.....

15) I think it's time to move Cross. Slow, ineffective........I'll take my chances on Greene or Syrvett (although he clearly needs some seasoning) as the 7th d-man

16) Pisani is another guy that impressed.....really think he's going to have a career year.

17) BG better step it up......slow, ineffective. Not a good game by any means

[LoudmouthHemskyfan#1]

Should I feel threatened here? Just kidding!

Definately agree on Pronger, the Flamers, the LRT, everything but Rita and Semenov perhaps. I thought Jani was just plain out of it. He's nowhere near composed enough out there for me, and he couldn't keep up with Schremp. Semenov I thought was only kinda average, I'm a little worried about him. With him going, our defence is HUGE.

[hockeyaddict101]

Originally Posted by LoudmouthHemskyfan#1

Should I feel threatened here? Just kidding!

Definately agree on Pronger, the Flamers, the LRT, everything but Rita and Semenov perhaps. I thought Jani was just plain out of it. He's nowhere near composed enough out there for me, and he couldn't keep up with Schremp. Semenov I thought was only kinda average, I'm a little worried about him. With him going, our defence is HUGE.

Semenov is not physical enough. One play in particular. A Flame was in the zone cutting to the middle with his head down, Semenov has him in his tracks and lets him go by.

[deathbear]

i can't believe you guys sold it out...a pre-season game!

so much for the lockout killing interest in the game...looks like it's stronger than ever. at least in some parts...

anyone know how many people showed up in carolina tonite? i can't exactly picture washington and the hurricanes drawing anyone in north carolina...

[alanschu]

The thing I liked about Bergeron was that he was being aggressive.

And with his speed, it has some benefits. But it was clear that Pronger was helping him along as the game went on. I noticed it a lot on faceoffs, where things are a bit slower and you could actually see Pronger talking to him the whole time, and Bergeron adjusting during the draw.

With his speed though, I can't remember a time when he was unable to recover and stop an odd man rush, given his speed.

I also disagree with Georges. He was the most physical player out there, in terms of open ice hits (Although Phaneuf's on Torres was still the best hit of the night). Plenty of players taken out of the play, and he even dislodged a pane of glass with one hit. I thought he was flying along the ice too (well, "flying" for Laraque. I didn't know he could move that fast :p).

[LawnDemon]

I'd be nervous as hell playing alongside Pronger for the first time. He's Chris Freeking Pronger after all. Hopefully Bergy was just a little star struck tonight. On the bright side, this D-corp will improve every game with a guy like Pronger teaching them.

[SkiAmigo]

Originally Posted by alanschu

The thing I liked about Bergeron was that he was being aggressive.

And with his speed, it has some benefits. But it was clear that Pronger was helping him along as the game went on. I noticed it a lot on faceoffs, where things are a bit slower and you could actually see Pronger talking to him the whole time, and Bergeron adjusting during the draw.

With his speed though, I can't remember a time when he was unable to recover and stop an odd man rush, given his speed.

I also disagree with Georges. He was the most physical player out there, in terms of open ice hits (Although Phaneuf's on Torres was still the best hit of the night). Plenty of players taken out of the play, and he even dislodged a pane of glass with one hit. I thought he was flying along the ice too (well, "flying" for Laraque. I didn't know he could move that fast :p).

They say Georges is in the best shape he's been in a few years and he really worked on his speed by not lifting but just doing cardio, he puts on way too much weight and builds too much muscle mass by just weight training. I thought he looked like fastest Laraque I've ever seen at the camp this year.

[Watts02]

Jean-Francois Jacques i thought was the most active player on the physical sie of things, always finishing off his checks, not getting caught outta position. Harvey between thouse BG, JFJ, is a line id like to call my 4th. Tough gritty line.

[ABwind]

Originally Posted by deathbear

i can't believe you guys sold it out...a pre-season game!

so much for the lockout killing interest in the game...looks like it's stronger than ever. at least in some parts...

anyone know how many people showed up in carolina tonite? i can't exactly picture washington and the hurricanes drawing anyone in north carolina...

We're back and excited. Team's like ours needed the lockout so we weren't as unhappy about it like people in Toronto. It has benefitted opur team and now we have Pronger and Peca. So yeah we are quite excited.

[copperandblue]

Just to offer my two cents...

Pronger - Not overly impressed, not worried either I am sure he is just getting up to speed.

Syvret - Not ready for prime time although I am changing mind in regards to him as a NHLer. If he keeps progressing then he certainly may have enough to see a call up. My biggest problem with him is that for his size and lack of physical ability to play defensively (meaning an undersized blueliner) he didn't show enough to offset it with an impressive offensive game. To use Bergeron as a comparison, he is not the first guy you look to when wanting to shut down the opposition but he is so effective on the O side of the puck....who cares.

Bergeron - lots of rust

Cross - never was a fan of his....he can leave the team wouldn't suffer one bit. He played his regular game but seemed a step further behind than I was even used to.

Semenov - Didn't impress...didn't not impress (if that makes any sense) This is when we need a "meh?" smilie...

Smyth- looked good I thought

Dvorak - looked good as well but he definately has another gear that he can use

Torrres / Rita - both were kinda hit and miss. Some moments you really took notice some times you wondered if they were still in the lineup. Maybe that is what we should expect from these guys.

Horcoff - Man I hope he gets better. Not bad... but not what I was expecting...he looked like a guy that was told he had the 1st line center spot as a lock...not the mind set this guy needs to be comfortable with.

Laraque - I thought he looked alright. Alot of penalties so his ice time was spotty and infrequent. He even killed a penalty at one point.

Harvey - nothing flashy, no offense to speak of but he showed some good slow-motion hustle. He needs to find another gear I think.

Jacques - I disagree with alanschu, Jacques had the best hit of the night. Absolutely starched Regher at center ice. Other than that though....similar to Laraque he had spotty ice time due to penalties. I don't think his ready for prime time BUT I think he could be a good bet for next season.

Schremp - What a fun player to watch. This kid has big league talent alright and if he keeps playing the way he is then I see him starting the season with the Oilers. That said, this was nothing more than a "B" squad from Calgary so I would like to see how he holds up to stiffer competition. If he plays in Edmonton I would expect to get used to seeing more than his fair share of rookie mistakes....

Morrison - looked good. I wasn't impressed with the goal; but what can you say about a 1 goal performance. If he plays this way for the remainder of camp and Jussi isn't ready to go I think he could back up Conklin for a few games.

Stoll - not bad...not much stood out (other than the goal) but imo that is what we want from him...steady play


For Calgary, not much as the team they sent up was not very good but;

Mcarty - absolutely invisible....I don't know maybe he brings intangibles or maybe he is not quite up to speed yet ala Pronger?

Sauve - man, I thought the Oil were going to light this guy up like a christmas tree. The first few shots against him, it looked like he was fighting the puck and uncomfortable but he settled in nicely. If this is a sign of his maturing then he good be a decent back up for Kipper...not sure how many games they would want to play him though

Phaneuf - disappointed in the golden child, at one point about half way through the second period I actually asked the guy behind me if Phaneuf was in the line up. He was pretty much invisible. He had the nice hit on Torres but I would qualify that by saying that I thought Torres went down kind easily. Phaneuf also offset the hit buy fishing for the puck on one penalty kill. Schremp dangled it out infront and Phaneuf went for the bait. By the time he got his stick out to swipe at the puck Schremop drew it back in and moved it on to the next player. If you were keeping score between the Edmonton blue chippers vs the Calgary blue chippers, it was definatetly a feel good moment for the Edmonton side.


Other than that....good game for the first exibition game. Lots of rust on both sides. Despite the score the players that mattered for Edmonton basically controlled the play when they were out there, as they should considering the squad Calgary sent up.

On to the next one......

[alanschu]

Jacques - I disagree with alanschu, Jacques had the best hit of the night. Absolutely starched Regher at center ice. Other than that though....similar to Laraque he had spotty ice time due to penalties. I don't think his ready for prime time BUT I think he could be a good bet for next season

I think that was the hit I missed. I was following the play at one point and my friend was like "Oh baby what a hit!!" and I missed it

Although I think we got a PP shortly afterwards on a goalie interference.