Flames vs. Panthers Pre-Season Game #1

Well I was fortunate enough to get some tickets to the game tonight and other than the first period and of course the Flames loosing 3-2, I thought it was a decent game considering it was game 1 for both teams to kick off their pre-season schedule. The Flames had all of their new acquisitions in the line-up except Mike Cammalleri and Andre Roy. The lines looked as followed:

1- BERTUZZI-BACKLUND-IGGY
2- BOURQUE-LOMBO-GLENCROSS
3- BOYD-LUNDMARK-MOSS
4- NYSTROM-PRIMEAU-PRUST

1- REGEHR-SARICH
2- AUCOIN-PARDY
3- ERIKSSON-NEGRIN

1- McELHINNEY
2- KEETLEY

So now some points about the game:

- For the first period and a bit you could definitely tell this was both teams first games. Very sloppy and lots of turnovers. Nothing to be surprised about thats for sure.

- Lundmark surprised the heck out me. He played very well and definitely made an impression in my mind. He had good speed, decent hands and a heck of a shot, which he almost took Panthers goalie Craig Anderson's head off. He along with his line-mates Boyd and Moss were easily the best line out there. If Boyd keeps doing what he did tonight, with a decent goal and a beauty pass to Iggy for the Flames 2nd goal, I think he could see himself on the Flames 2nd line. Very good to see.

- I thought McElhinney looked solid in net. He made some good saves and didn't make any mistakes. A little tough on the third goal but that was an outstanding play by Bouwmeester.

- From that I really didn't think Bouwmeester was very noticeable throughout the whole game, then out of no where he scored that beauty goal for the GWG. Man if the Flames have a chance at this guy, they better take him!

- Even though this was game #1, I didn't think Big Bert played the way he should of. He had some jump in the third but he has a ton to prove to the team and every single fan. He got a good cheer when he was announced in the starting line-up but I think he should of came out with fire. Luckily it is game #1 or else I would be nagging on him a whole lot more.

- Iggy looked pretty good. He was obviously a little rusty but he played well against the boards like he always does and his goal was pretty nice, TOP CHED!

- Backlund looked a little nervous. I think he finished a minus 2 but he will get his chances. Lots of time left in camp so stay tuned.

- Negrin and Pardy were probably our steadiest defensemen. Regehr just played his usual low-key good game, with one really nice hit.

- Aucoin looked slow and took at least 2 hooking/holding penalties or whatever, penalties that equal TOO SLOW.

- Eriksson better not make the squad he is just god awful. He turned the puck over, over and over again. Slow and just terrible decisions.

- Sarich was also very sloppy with the puck. Sarich and Eriksson really got showed up by the young guys. I'm way more worried about Aucoin than Sarich because Sarich looked more rusty than anything but still not good.

- Lombo looked good and Glencross and Bourque are definitely upgrades over Yelle, Nilson etc.

- Final point, Nystrom lost some weight over the summer and I thought he looked faster than last year. Always good to see extra speed!

Looking forward to the game tomorrow against the Coyotes and excited to see Cammalleri in a Flames uniform.