Aydar Suniev gave the Flames something to cheer about Monday night, but that was about the only bright spot in a 6-1 loss to the Oilers in the NextGen Showcase at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Suniev’s goal came with Tyson Gross and Matvei Gridin buzzing all night on his line, and the trio created plenty of danger for Calgary. Still, the Oilers controlled the scoreboard early and never let go.
Quinn Hutson opened the scoring before the midway point of the first period, firing one from a tight angle that beat Flames starter Arsenii Sergeev shortside over the shoulder on the power play. Then, with 1:11 left in the opening frame, Zach Bookman sent a long-distance bouncer toward goal that slipped past Sergeev for a second Edmonton tally.
Calgary’s best first-period chance fell to Suniev, who took a no-look cross-ice feed from Gross and tipped it on net from close range with no one around him. Nathaniel Day got the pad down in time to deny him.
The Saddledome crowd had one big moment to erupt over in the first, though, when Maceo Phillips and Weston Cameron squared off in a Battle of Alberta fight. The two dropped the gloves, and Phillips landed a flurry to take the bout before celebrating wildly.
The Flames pushed harder in the second period and generated most of the quality looks. Gridin and Suniev were both turned away on strong chances, and Jonathan Castagna was denied on a point-blank spin-and-fire attempt early in the frame. Chase Harrington also came close, holding on a 2-on-1 before letting a shot go that Eemil Vinni stopped after he entered in goal for the Oilers.
Sergeev exited just before the halfway mark of the second period after stopping 14 of 16 shots. Kirill Zarubin came on for his first action in Flames colours and finished with 11 saves on 15 shots.
The Flames lineup featured Matvei Gridin, Tyson Gross and Aydar Suniev up front, with Andrew Basha, Jonathan Castagna and Chase Harrington on the next unit. Simon Katolicky, Riley Boychuk and Joe Iginla skated together, while Ryder Boulton, Will Dineen and Carter Wilkie rounded out the forward group, along with Brett Olson.
On defence, Calgary dressed Abram Wiebe with Kent Anderson, Axel Hurtig with Jakob Leander, and Mace’o Phillips with Bode Laylin, with Kyle Walker also listed. Sergeev and Zarubin handled the goaltending duties.
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