Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Calgary Flames rookie Samuel Honzek continued his scoring streak on Monday with a great shorthanded effort.
Giving him a preseason NHL-leading seven points, Honzek’s second-period highlight reel goal helped the Flames beat the Seattle Kraken 4-3 in overtime.
“When Penticton (rookie tournament) started, it was difficult because of three months without a game, but once the main camp started, I feel very different, like a new player,” said the 19-year-old Honzek, first the Flames. – round pick (16th overall) in 2023.
“Every game and every practice, I’ve felt more confident and more comfortable, playing with the NHL guys and feeling like I’m fitting in on the team.”
With two goals and five assists in five games, Honzek sits alone atop the NHL’s preseason scoring leaders.
“I really enjoy it. So far, it’s good, but I’m trying to stay humble, not be too confident,” said Honzek, who turns 20 on November 12.
Calgary Flames’ Sam Honzek, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Yegor Sharangovich during a second period NHL preseason hockey game against the Seattle Kraken in Calgary on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Tied 2-2 after the first period, Seattle had several chances to take the lead early in the second when Calgary took four penalties in the first six minutes.
But not only did the Flames kill the extended power play, Honzek fired up the home crowd at 6:33 with his goal.
After taking a pass from Yegor Sharangovich, he skated down the right wing through the neutral zone and into Seattle’s end where he used his 6-foot-4 frame to power his way around defenseman Vince Dunn, then as he intercepted the front. from the net, he managed to avoid the net check of guard Joey Daccord before putting the puck in the net as it fell to the ice.
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“He goes out there and works. I think that’s what you want to see in a young player. You come to listen, you come to learn, and you try to make sure you bring your best when you’re on the rink,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said.
Honzek played last season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants where multiple injuries limited him to just 33 games in which he had 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists).
“I know after last year, everybody was talking about ‘Oh geez where is this Honzek guy, and is he going to be a player?'” Huska said. “Well, he’s a player. He’s a pretty good player. We’re very excited about where he’s at right now.”
Brayden Pachal, Blake Coleman, and Nazem Kadri – with the game-winner on a slick setup by Andrei Kuzmenko – also scored for Calgary (5-0-1), which has yet to lose in regulation.
Eeli Tolvanen, Ville Ottavainen and Shane Wright replied in favor of Seattle (1-3-1).
In his first full game after playing two innings in each of his first two starts, Dan Vladar – coming off offseason hip surgery – made 30 saves for the win.
“Every day I feel better and better, and I know it will get better and better. So I’m extremely positive and confident about that,” Vladar said.
Daccord made 23 stops for the Kraken.
Making his pre-season debut for Seattle was Dunn, just back from injury.
“Very good,” said Seattle coach Dan Bylsma, asked to assess Dunn’s first game. “I think his first or second shift, he went back for a spike, hit twelve, and we know now he can get a hit and make a play.”
After taking the lead, the barrage continued in the second for the home side with a Blake Coleman penalty with seven seconds left — Calgary’s sixth of the period — ultimately costing them with Wright scores 39 seconds into the third to tie it 3-3.
Barrie struggles
Collecting a pair of assists for the Flames with secondary assists on both goals in the first period was defender Tyson Barrie, who is in the Flames camp on a professional request.
“Just trying to continue to impress, and skate well, and create some offense when I can,” said the 33-year-old, who had three assists in three games. “I’ve been trying to prove myself every game and every training, and this is the best league in the world, and you have to work hard to stay here and take your chances when they come .”
Barrie has played 809 career NHL games and if he were to sign with Calgary, he would be joining his fifth NHL organization. He played last season for Nashville.
Up next
Kraken: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Flames: Visit the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10788035/samuel-honzek-calgary-flames-kraken-nhl-preseason/
