Flames finish pre-season with perfect record
29.09.00 22:15MST
Islanders fall to Flames in final pre-season tilt
The Calgary Flames closed out their pre-season schedule the same way it began: with a win over the lowly New York Islanders. Leading the charge tonight, with a first star selection and 3 helpers in the 5-1 drubbing, was left winger Cory Stillman (pictured).
"We had a lot of fun these past two weeks. Our powerplay has been really clicking this fall. Let's hope it continues this winter." Stillman finished the 7 game pre-season with 4 goals and 13 points, 9 of which with the man-advantage.
Flames fans have much to feel optimistic about. Though the pre-season counts for nothing, it was encouraging to see positive results up and down the lineup.
The new-look second line, affectionately referred to as the "M&M's", featuring Martin Gelinas, college graduate Andy MacDonald, and Martin St.Louis were surprisingly effective during the exhibition season. All three players featured heavily on the scoresheet this September, combining for 8 goals and 16 points over 7 games.
The Goaltending battery of Brathwaite and Giguere posted solid numbers too. Brathwaite, eager to impress on his return to the NHL, provided a respectable .913SV% and a 2.33GAA. Giguere was better still, posting an impressive .949SV% and a stingy 1.50GAA.
Coach Fyvie was impressed with how his new look 'shutdown line' worked in September also. Shantz, with newcomers Lowry (from San Jose) and Jeff O'Neill (from Carolina) consistently shutdown the opposition and won key draws in their own end. "They worked really well together. You have no idea until you put them in a real situation. It was nice to see them feed off of each other. They all get it and want to contribute."
Over the 7 game exhibition season, Cory Stillman led the Flames with 13 points, with Jarome Iginla coming in second with a team leading 6 goals and 11 points. Marc Savard was third with 1 goal and 7 points. Leading all defenseman was Toni Lydman with 6pts.
The NHL season starts in earnest with Calgary hosting the Detroit Red Wings October 5th.