Photo Credit: NHL.com
Outdoor hockey is the best type of hockey, and it doesn’t get any better than the Heritage Classic with the Edmonton Oilers squaring off against the Calgary Flames. The Oilers took the air out of the building for Flames fans right away as they took advantage of the sloppiness of the Flames. Goals by Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman made the building lifeless for Flames fans, just 10 minutes into the game.
The Flames just continued to have turnover after turnover, but the fast skating Oilers took advantage. However, Flames seem to reorganize himself and pot of the goal by Nazem Kadri with just about six minutes left in the first period. Seems to give the Flames life as they poured it on the Oilers for the next two minutes, before the Oilers struck back courtesy of Evan Bouchard. Bouchard got the Oilers back on track with a late first period goal to make it 3-1 Oilers.
Of course, the Flames would go down fighting and it was great to see back and forth hockey in the second period. It was a goaltenders period for the most part, until AJ Greer scored for the Flames to pull them within the one at 3-2. The Flames needed that in a big way.
Unfortunately, the Oilers struck early just six minutes into the third period to give them breathing room at 4-2. Evander Kane notched an empty netter to increase the lead 5-2, which gave him one goal and two assists for the game.
Leon Draisaitl also finished with two assists and Brett Kulak was the first star of the game with one goal and one assist. They left to a raucous standing ovation from the proud faithful at Commonwealth Stadium. Canadians love their hockey and most were excited to see “The Beaches” perform in the pre-game activities.
Our very own Ryan Renaud was on hand in the press area, and he made the most of it with pre and post game pressers
