PDO
9-17-05, 2:19 AM
Oilers clame first battle
The league's crackdown on obstruction was evident as the team's shared 22 penalties, including seven minors in the first period as the Flames had a pair of unsuccessful two-man advantages.
EDMONTON (CP) -- The Edmonton Oilers are already seeing the benefits of Ryan Smyth's new $7-million US contract.
The 29-year-old left-winger, fresh off signing a new two-year deal, ushered in a new era of post-lockout hockey with the NHL's new shootout rule Friday as the Oilers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 in the first pre-season game for both teams.
"It was a great atmosphere. The fans loved it,' said Smyth. "As a player, being a part of it was great."
Smyth tucked a backhand behind Brent Krahn as Edmonton's fourth shooter.
Jarret Stoll also scored for the Oilers, while Matthew Lombardi had the lone goal for the Flames.
A Rexall Place sellout of 16,839 greeted the Oilers for the first time in more than a year in the first of a dozen meetings with the Flames this season -- four in the pre-season and eight in the regular season.
Calgary was without its' top three lines as GM and coach Darryl Sutter elected to sit a host of veterans including all-star right winger and captain Jarome Iginla, goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff and trio of signees -- veteran winger Tony Amonte, centre Daymond Lankow and defenceman Roman Hamrlik. Only new Flames winger Darren McCarty, an unrestricted free agent signed from Detroit, played in the game, logging 12:15 with two shots.
"Trying to get your legs and your brain working at the same speed," said McCarty. "We're all gearing up for (the season opener) Oct. 5."
Sutter, who watched the game from the press box while assistant coach Rich Preston ran the bench, may play his big guns in the Flames second pre-season game Saturday in Chicago.
"These guys have to prove themselves," said Sutter. "I am not interested in what they did. I am interested in what they can do to help us."
Sutter started ex-Colorado backup goalie Philippe Sauve, who made 18 stops before being replaced by Krahn in the second period, who faced 13 more shots.
Mike Morrison made 24 saves for the Oilers in his first NHL win.
The league's crackdown on obstruction was evident as the team's shared 22 penalties, including seven minors in the first period as the Flames had a pair of unsuccessful two-man advantages. The Oilers killed off another minute-long two-man advantage in the third period.
"It was't maybe as physical a game as people may have been expecting" said Pronger. "You are not really too sure what is borderline and what isn't."
"There wasn't a real disruption to the flow of the game," said Oilers coach Craig MacTavish. "There were lots of chances."
Stoll brought the house to life with the Oilers first goal a one-timer off a feed from Pronger on a third period power-play to tie the game 1-1, but then took a checking from behind major and game misconduct just over a minute later.
Flames centre Lombardi scored on one of the Flames three shots in the second period, wristing a dribbler through traffic in the high slot past Morrison.
The game was the Flames first action since June 7, 2004 when the team suffered a 2-1 series-clinching setback to Tampa Bay in game seven of the Stanley Cup final. It was the Oilers first action since April 3, 2004 as the team missed the Western Conference playoffs by two points.
The Oilers will be rotating two teams through the first four pre-season games. Mactavish played veterans Smyth, who also took two penalties, and Pronger but sat captain Jason Smith and centre Mike Peca. Another group of Oilers will play when the team hosts Dallas Sunday.
The Oilers are carrying 47 players, with the next major cut expected to be made after four of their seven pre-season contests..
Schremp with the first star.
This guy is absolutely determined to make the team :eek:
Not to brag; but Stoll was playing the point on the PP.. something I said should be happening back in August :thumb:
The league's crackdown on obstruction was evident as the team's shared 22 penalties, including seven minors in the first period as the Flames had a pair of unsuccessful two-man advantages.
EDMONTON (CP) -- The Edmonton Oilers are already seeing the benefits of Ryan Smyth's new $7-million US contract.
The 29-year-old left-winger, fresh off signing a new two-year deal, ushered in a new era of post-lockout hockey with the NHL's new shootout rule Friday as the Oilers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 in the first pre-season game for both teams.
"It was a great atmosphere. The fans loved it,' said Smyth. "As a player, being a part of it was great."
Smyth tucked a backhand behind Brent Krahn as Edmonton's fourth shooter.
Jarret Stoll also scored for the Oilers, while Matthew Lombardi had the lone goal for the Flames.
A Rexall Place sellout of 16,839 greeted the Oilers for the first time in more than a year in the first of a dozen meetings with the Flames this season -- four in the pre-season and eight in the regular season.
Calgary was without its' top three lines as GM and coach Darryl Sutter elected to sit a host of veterans including all-star right winger and captain Jarome Iginla, goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff and trio of signees -- veteran winger Tony Amonte, centre Daymond Lankow and defenceman Roman Hamrlik. Only new Flames winger Darren McCarty, an unrestricted free agent signed from Detroit, played in the game, logging 12:15 with two shots.
"Trying to get your legs and your brain working at the same speed," said McCarty. "We're all gearing up for (the season opener) Oct. 5."
Sutter, who watched the game from the press box while assistant coach Rich Preston ran the bench, may play his big guns in the Flames second pre-season game Saturday in Chicago.
"These guys have to prove themselves," said Sutter. "I am not interested in what they did. I am interested in what they can do to help us."
Sutter started ex-Colorado backup goalie Philippe Sauve, who made 18 stops before being replaced by Krahn in the second period, who faced 13 more shots.
Mike Morrison made 24 saves for the Oilers in his first NHL win.
The league's crackdown on obstruction was evident as the team's shared 22 penalties, including seven minors in the first period as the Flames had a pair of unsuccessful two-man advantages. The Oilers killed off another minute-long two-man advantage in the third period.
"It was't maybe as physical a game as people may have been expecting" said Pronger. "You are not really too sure what is borderline and what isn't."
"There wasn't a real disruption to the flow of the game," said Oilers coach Craig MacTavish. "There were lots of chances."
Stoll brought the house to life with the Oilers first goal a one-timer off a feed from Pronger on a third period power-play to tie the game 1-1, but then took a checking from behind major and game misconduct just over a minute later.
Flames centre Lombardi scored on one of the Flames three shots in the second period, wristing a dribbler through traffic in the high slot past Morrison.
The game was the Flames first action since June 7, 2004 when the team suffered a 2-1 series-clinching setback to Tampa Bay in game seven of the Stanley Cup final. It was the Oilers first action since April 3, 2004 as the team missed the Western Conference playoffs by two points.
The Oilers will be rotating two teams through the first four pre-season games. Mactavish played veterans Smyth, who also took two penalties, and Pronger but sat captain Jason Smith and centre Mike Peca. Another group of Oilers will play when the team hosts Dallas Sunday.
The Oilers are carrying 47 players, with the next major cut expected to be made after four of their seven pre-season contests..
Schremp with the first star.
This guy is absolutely determined to make the team :eek:
Not to brag; but Stoll was playing the point on the PP.. something I said should be happening back in August :thumb: