Lots of NHL preseason action going on over the weekend. Not that it means much, but Calgary defeated Edmonton 3 - 0 and improved their pre-seaon record to .500. What was most significant about the contest for Flames supporters was the emergence of the "ALI" (Amonte, Langkow, Iginla) line, which is slated to be the #1 forward unit for Calgary this year. The line combined for 2 of the 3 goals (Langkow and Amonte) over the couse of the game and was apparently dangerous all night. Hopefully that line continues to click and build chemistry as the start of the new season looms ever larger...
- Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs contiued their pre-season losing habits, being crushed by the Senators yesterday, 7 - 4. I know, I know - it's preseason. It means little. But even Pat Quinn when interviewed after the game displayed concern and commented his players were going to have to learn how to "play like a team". Also of note, Ottawa rookie hopeful Brandon Bochenski scored 4 points, 3 goals and 1 assist in the victory. Here's a link:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=137699&hubName=nhl
Congrats should be afforded to Bockenski, even if it was just a preseason game. Although, playing on a line with Spezza and Heatley never hurts...
- Speaking of rookie hopefuls, take a look at this goal Corey Perry of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks scored against the Canucks recently:
http://forum.calgaryflames.com/viewtopic.php?t=28293
Wow! Granted it was against a non-namer d-man in an exhibition game, but still very impressive. I'd be surprised if Perry didn't make the Ducks this year and have some kind of impact...
- Other news of note: Jeremy Roenick suffered his 11th(!) concussion over the weekend. He was hit by ex-flame Denis Gauthier, now of the Phoenix Coyotes. Here's a link to the story:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=137712
Apparently, Roenick isn't too happy about being hit so hard in an exhibition game by another veteran. I would tend to agree that it's rather excessive on the part of Gauthier, although it does raise questions about Roenick's apparent fragility (as well as his future with the Kings and hockey in general). Hopefully for Roenick and for Los Angeles he is able to make a full recovery and play again.
(For Calgary fans, Saprykin scored twice in Coyotes 7 - 4 loss to the Kings. I personally liked Saprykin while he was here and hope he has a good year down in the desert...not TOO good. But good.)
-Anyways, that's it for now. Maybe the Calgary/Vancouver match will yield some interesting bits for tomorrow...
