It was the first game of the year, and I won't put much stock into any single player's poor performance. Throughout the season, every single player on the roster is expected to have a bad game - or even a stretch of them.
With that being said, for the love of all that is good, move Bennett up the lineup and make him a fixture on PP2 please. The kid deserves it. If he ends up breaking out this season, the Flames will be a nightmare to defend against. Bennett not only needs the minutes, but I argue he deserves them.
I have to say it was really nice to see Lucic step up and defend Czarnik there.
Colorado is going to be one of the top teams in the league this season. Calgary kept up with them nicely (at least after the 1st period! Even then, they managed to score). Great to see the pushback.
I won't even criticize the reffing (outcome might have been different had the refs actually been competent last night). Flames were in on this game and didn't go away. That Giordano goal was beautiful - both for the patience he had and the timing of it. He is going to make any analyst that doesn't think he is the favourite to win the Norris again look downright idiotic.
I liked what I saw for the most part from this team. Some stuff that needs to be worked on, but this looks like it is going to be a hell of a season again.
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