Some player reviews:
Jankowski - thought he had a pretty good game and stepped it up a bit in the third period. Showed some nice hands on a nice rush 2 on 2 with Hathaway where he almost scored. Smooth passes in the third and good battles all night.
Foo - I thought he was better tonight than he was in the last game I saw him in. He showed some real speed and good, calm decision making and puck control. Still doubtful that he'll start the year in Calgary, but NHL potential is evident.
Dube - the combination of his intelligence and skating is downright impressive. He picks off passes, catches guys on the backcheck, creates space for himself and others, and has a great shot. Competitive guy too.
Lazar - had some moments tonight. Thought he protected the puck well a few times with his body and his skating looked good. Some questionable decision making like the throwaway shot at the end with Jankowski wide open for a one-timer... not sure about his offensive hockey sense.
Hathaway - thought he looked good on one penalty kill (obviously the PK was not a strength tonight). I think he has enough skill that the physical game he brings should earn him a spot on the team. He's a really good skater and fearless out there. He'd be my 4th line winger.
Lomberg - still works his tail off but he looks a lot less effective against a veteran NHL line up. I think that you see the separation between him and a guy like Dube out there where Dube can still have an impact with the puck because he's so smart.
Gazdic - exactly what I thought he would be. Tried to antagonise Byfuglien all night and scrapped with him briefly. Just not a necessary player to a good hockey team for me though.
Cramarossa - I get the appeal. He can skate well and he battles hard. I prefer Hathaway though.
Poirier - thought he was pretty good actually. Especially considering his camp was interrupted with the injury. He made a few nice plays in tight and showed his speed in some races.
Hrivik - has good speed for a fairly big man. Didn't create a ton out there, but I think he looks like he has some skill and gets the game. I'm doubtful of him making the team though (hopefully his head is okay... took a bad hit from Trouba there)
Bartkowski - hopefully that is the last game I see him play for the Flames
Wotherspoon - just some terrible decisions out there. He had a couple of good defensive plays where he used his body and got the puck off of good players, but I don't think he was able to grab that spot.
Valimaki - thought he looked really young. Little things like trying to chip pucks past guys and having them picked off. I think that tonight had to be a good lesson for him in the difference between true pros and pretenders. Another year of junior and I bet he'll push for a spot next season.
Andersson - thought he looked the best of the young D but still not great. It's interesting to see how he copes with his so-so skating against fast guys... he is very smart with his body positioning and reads plays well. I like him so I am hoping the coaches saw something they liked but he didn't cement his spot.
Kulak - when he gets skating he really can look pretty impressive out there, but had a few brainfarts tonight too. I don't think he looks like he has played well enough that the 6 spot should be his, but I also don't know who has been clearly better.
Lack - most of the goals were on the PP, so he wasn't awful but I'm not sure I would say 'good' either. I'd like to see Rittich and Gillies play again.
The Flames coaching staff didn't look like they were overly concerned with the result. Lots of young guys got a chance to show their stuff on the powerplay and late in the game.
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