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Coming off their
first win of the season, the Calgary Flames may be without starting goalkeeper
Roman Turek when they host the archrival Edmonton Oilers.
The Flames opened their season with a 4-1 road loss to the Vancouver Canucks
before playing the San Jose Sharks in their home opener Saturday.
Calgary took an early 1-0 lead, but San Jose scored the next two goals. Alyn McCauley put the Sharks up 2-1 at 2:43 of the second period when he collided with Turek in front of the goal, slamming his knee into the goalie's head.
Both Turek and McCauley laid on the ice for several minutes afterward, requiring attention from medical staff before being helped off the ice.
Jamie McLennan replaced Turek in net, and stopped all nine shots he faced as the Flames came back to win 3-2. McLennan had gone 0-10-3 during his past 18 appearances, 13 of them starts. NFL Tickets
``When you come into a situation like the home opener, everyone's ready, you're
all excited, everyone wants to be in the game so it wasn't that hard,'' McLennan
said. ``The team really buckled down and took control of the game right after
that.''
Turek met with coaches and team medical officials on Sunday and said he felt better. He will be re-evaluated before the game Tuesday, and his status is uncertain.
Edmonton began its season with a 5-2 win over San Jose at home, but then fell 3-0 to Vancouver on Saturday in its first road contest.
The Oilers had only 14 shots on goal and struggled to generate offense despite nine power plays. Edmonton has scored on just two of 14 power-play opportunities so far.
``We've had our opportunities, but we haven't capitalized on our opportunities,'' Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said. ``That's something we're going to rectify in a hurry.''
STANDINGS (through Oct. 12): Oilers - 2 points, 2nd place (tied), 2 PB, Northwest Division. Flames - 2 points, 2nd place (tied), 2 PB, Northwest Division.
TEAM LEADERS: Oilers - Ryan Smyth, 2 goals; Ales Hemsky, 2 assists; four with 2 points; Brad Isbister, 11 PIM. Flames - Four with 1 goal; seven with 1 assist; Stephane Yelle, 2 points; Rhett Warrener, 4 PIM. NFL Tickets
SPECIAL TEAMS (through Oct. 12): Oilers - Power play: 14.3 percent (2 for 14), 18th in NHL. Penalty killing: 90.9 percent (10 for 11), 7th (tied). Flames - Power play: 30.0 percent (3 for 10), 6th (tied). Penalty killing: 66.7 percent (6 for 9), 28th (tied).
GOALTENDERS: Oilers - Tommy Salo (1-1-0, 2.50 GAA); Ty Conklin (no appearances). Flames - Turek (0-1-0, 4.35); McLennan (1-0-0, 0.00).
2002-03 SEASON SERIES: Flames, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: April 5; Flames, 4-1. At Edmonton, Alberta, Dave Lowry had three assists and Turek made 23 saves in the final game of the season for the Flames, who missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year -- the longest current drought in the NHL.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Oilers - 0-1-0-0 on the road; Flames - 1-0-0-0 at home.