Calgary's Preseason Start

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Calgary Wranglers vs. Chicago Phoenix

The Chicago Phoenix got off to a hot start in this one where Sunrise van de Schubbekuteveen scored at 5:56 on the powerplay. Later in the period at 14:21, Scotty Sundin scored and doubled Chicago's lead at 2-0. Soon after that, Calgary would get on the board when Shane Lazeski scored at 15:18, but before the end of the 1st Period, Hadrian scored to give Chicago their 2 goal lead once again at 3-1. Shots were 16-6 in the 1st for Chicago. In the 2nd Period, the Calgary Wranglers outshot Chicago 11-9 but there were no goals scored. In the 3rd Period, Seymour Butts scored an early marker a minute in to give Chicago the 4-1 lead. The period would go back and forth but it wasn't until the 15 minute mark that Saku Kotkakoivu scored and brought this game to 4-2. Sunrise van de Schubbekuteveen would restore that 3 goal lead for the Chicago Phoenix, and they would take this game 5-2 while outshooting Calgary 43-33 overall. Seymour Butts 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points was the best in the game.

 

Chicago Phoenix vs. Calgary Wranglers

In this next preseason matchup between these same teams, it was Calgary that got off to a quick start. Saku Kotkakoivu scored 2:32 into the game, but Chicago fired back fast. Bo Johansson scored just 20 seconds after Saku's goal, then Sunrise van de Schubbekuteveen and Julia Waffles scored at 5:29 and 6:30. Suddenly the Chicago Phoenix had a 3-1 lead. In the 2nd Period, it was a back and forth battle, but the only goal of the period came off of Calgary's Daniel Janser to bring this game to within one goal, 3-2. In the 3rd, only 4 seconds in, Bo Johansson scored to give the Chicago Phoenix a 4-2 lead. That was all the offense that came from Chicago, and this is where Calgary's captain Saku Kotkakoivu decided he wanted to win this game. Saku Kotkakoivu scored at 4:17, 16:04, and 17:59. Three goals by Saku in one period, which gave him 4 overall in the game to help Calgary win this one by a score of 5-4. Chicago outshot Calgary 30-23, so the 5-4 score wasn't a good look for either goaltender. The 1st Star was of course Saku Kotkakoivu with his 4 goals.

 

Calgary Wranglers vs. DC Dragons

In this game, Calgary would get an early powerplay and scored off a goal from Shane Lazeski. Minutes later, Calgary would hand DC a powerplay of their own, and Poopy Peepants at 4:03. DC's Taylor Mourning would follow that up with a goal at 14:29 to give them the 2-1 lead heading in to the next period. In the 2nd, the only goal came from Dragons player Miles Johnson, and this one was 3-1 heading into the final frame. In the 3rd Period, it was Phil The Rock Johnson who scored to bring Calgary within 1, but DC's Brian Schmigel  made sure to restore that lead and they would carry it to the end with a 4-2 victory. Taylor Mourning's 1 goal, 1 assist, and a whopping 10 hits were the star of the show for the DC Dragons.

 

Saku Kotkakoivu's 5 goals is a 4-way tie for 1st in the VHL. Daniel Janser's 7 points is a 5-way tie for 1st in the VHL.