New Calgary Flames linemates Sam Bennett and Troy Brouwer did everything but score in their debut together in NHL pre-season action on Monday night.
With 15 shot attempts between them, they were a threat almost every time they stepped on the ice. Still, the Edmonton Oilers came away with a 2-1 victory.
Anton Slepyshev broke a scoreless tie 7:10 into the third period and Jere Sallinen had an empty-net winner with 1:03 left. Mark Giordano scored the Flames’ only goal with nine seconds remaining.
New Flames coach Glen Gulutzan liked what he saw from Bennett, the sophomore, and Brouwer, the wily veteran signed as a free agent on July 1.
“They were strong tonight. They were all around the net, every shift,” said Gulutzan.
When Brouwer missed the net after Bennett set him up in the slot for what would have been the tying goal, he slammed his stick on the ice — part frustration and part exasperation after having so many chances go unrewarded.
“You always want to win,” said Brouwer, with a smile. “But I thought we did a lot of really good things tonight.”
Bennett led both teams with seven shots on goal. Nobody else had more than four.
“He did a good job of creating, a couple pucks he brought to the net, he was feisty in and around the net, got in a couple scrums,” said Brouwer about his young centre. “For a first go, it was really good.”
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Bennett was surprised that none of his shots found the back of the net.
“There were so many opportunities, I can’t believe I didn’t put in a couple of them,” he said. “That’s just the way things go sometimes. I’m happy it’s pre-season. I’ll save those ones for the regular season.”
Bennett thought the chemistry with his right winger was immediate.
“He’s a hard worker and he’s so smart,” he said. “He’s an easy guy to read off. You know what he’s going to do.”
Playing left wing on the line was 2016 first round pick Matthew Tkachuk.
Slepyshev banked in the tiebreaking shot from below the goal line past Mason McDonald.
McDonald, who had seven saves, entered the game to start the third period after Brian Elliott was perfect on 12 shots faced in his Calgary debut.
“Solid saves for us and positionally-sound,” said Gulutzan. “He looked like he was really in control of his game early and he’s going to be a big help to this crew.”
Jonas Gustavsson got the start for Edmonton and made 10 saves. Former Flames draft pick Lauren Brossoit played the other half, making 22 saves.
Notes: The Flames dressed the more experienced line-up with TJ Brodie, Dennis Wideman and Matt Stajan leading the way. Nail Yakupov, Matt Hendricks and Patrick Maroon were among only a handful of veterans for the Oilers… Assistant coach Jay Woodcroft ran the bench for Edmonton… The Oilers won their second split-squad game of the night at home, 4-2 over Calgary.
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