Calgary Flames Daily: Ending preseason with a bang

Preseason games are officially over for the Calgary Flames! Let’s check out some Flames news over the last 24 hours.

The Calgary Flames had their seventh and final game last night against the Winnipeg Jets. Heading into the game, they were 1-5-0. They’re now 2-5-0. This is the worst in the Pacific Division, but let’s not fret. Preseason matters in a very small way, more for the players to get a feel. Remember, the Colorado Avalanche when 6-0 last year in their exhibitions.

Confession time: I keep telling myself that when I see that the Edmonton Oilers went 6-2-0 this year…

But the Flames had an overall incredible game last night with their 3-2 shootout win. And with a spectacular performance by goaltender Mike Smith, who was somewhat giving the fans doubt in his abilities. Smith definitely felt and looked a lot more confident than he has in his other preseason games. Up until this game, the Flames goalies had collectively the worst SV% in the league. Yikes.

Calgary Flames

Via Calgary Herald:

"“I just felt solid,” Smith said post-game. “If they were going to beat me, they were going to beat me with a good shot. I mean . . . both those goals were world-class shots. I was just focused on that tonight — being in good position and making them beat me.“Too many shots in the pre-season have gone through me. None did tonight, so it was nice. I’m feeling good. I’m ready to go here for the first game.”"

NONE of the goals that Smith let in were his fault. One was a shot by Patrik Laine, I mean, come on. It’s Laine. The other came on a 5-on-3 powerplay for the Jets where two Flames players lost their sticks. So it was basically a 5-on-1. Nothing he could do there, and again, it came from Laine. He posted a 39-save performance and stopped all shots in the shootout. Which made him pretty excited.

Mikey, if you can play like that in every single game this upcoming season, you will definitely become a fan favourite very quickly here.

You know, a few months ago, I wrote a piece titled, “Flames shouldn’t sign Michael Stone” and what do they do? Sign Michael Stone an hour later. Yesterday, I got out a piece about being worried about Smith’s performance. And that’s what he does hours later. Maybe I should write a piece about how the Flames won’t win the Stanley Cup this season…

Look, I know the preseason isn’t foreshadowing of how the season will turn out. I’ll be the first to say that. But the Calgary Flames definitely needed this big win with a great performance by Smith before the season started. Let’s just hope they can keep this up in their season opener on Wednesday.

Flames Tweet of the day

Hockey Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

ANALYSIS | What if the Flames left Calgary? (CBC News) (I’m quoted in this article!).

That’s more like it as Flames get strong effort from Smith & Co. (Calgary Herald).

Monahan the shootout hero as Flames top Jets (Sportsnet).

The Flames’ Sixth Defenseman (the Hockey Writers).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

No depth? No problem, says Canada’s Olympic hockey team GM (Toronto Sun).

Hockey broadcaster Dave Strader dies of cancer at 62 (Sportsnet).

5 things learned from Sept. 30 preseason games (NHL.com).

Next: 4 days until the season starts - #4 Brad McCrimmon

That’s all for today’s Flames Daily!