Notes & Observations
• Goaltender Nathaniel Day was critical to keeping the Flames off the board early on in his 20 minutes of action in the first period. Off a takeaway made by the Flames near the Oilers' bench that created a quick-rush attack for forward Aydar Suniev, the netminder flashed across with the right pad to make a terrific save before his teammates spotted him a 1-0 lead a few minutes later.
• Day would make six saves in the opening frame and is poised for another busy season after a successful first pro season spent in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets. The 21-year-old split the crease with fellow rookie camp attendee Samuel Jonsson, putting forth a 22-9-8 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.
• It's safe to say that Quinn Hutson is looking to break out after a supremely productive rookie season in 2025-26, where he led all AHL rookies in goals (30) and notched his first NHL goal on Dec. 18, 2025, in a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins.
• With the Oilers on their second power play, Hutson cut around the right face-off dot on his forehand and ripped the opening goal short-side over the shoulder of Flames' netminder Arsenii Sergeev at 11:11 of the first period. Damien Carfagna and Viljami Marjala picked up the assists.
• With the Flames needing a spark down 2-0 late in the opening period, camp invite Weston Cameron dropped the gloves with defenceman Mace'o Phillips, but the Oilers' pressure wouldn't relent over a scoreless second period.
•The Oilers power play went 1-for-4 against the Flames, with Howard looking deadly dangerous on the one-timer from the right circle. Hutson found his linemate wide open on a few occasions, and earned a few net-side chances as the Blue & Orange rookies continue to ramp up pressure.
• The trio of Isaac Howard, Josh Samanski and Quinn Hutson came as advertised – owning the lion's share of the possession when on the ice and creating plenty of scoring chances during a scoreless second period. All three skaters earned NHL minutes last season and formed one of the most effective lines in the AHL with the Condors during the first few months of last season.
• Then, it was Eemil Vinni's turn between the pipes. Making his North American debut this season on a one-year AHL contract with Bakersfield, the Finnish netminder is in his first Rookie Camp since being drafted in the second round (64th overall) by the Oilers in 2024 began his first appearance in Blue & Orange with a vital double save.
• On a Flames' shorthanded opportunity to begin the frame, Vinni stopped Jonathan Castagne in tight off a full-ice rush before reaching out with his left pad to deny Matvei Gridin on the second effort, making a remarkable save on the doorstep to keep the 2-0 lead intact less than a minute into the period. Vinni would keep the shutout intact with five minutes left on a point-blank stop on Suniev from between the hashmarks.
• 2026 sixth-round pick (180th overall) Caden Harvey made it 3-1 for the Oilers when his line's hard forecheck and pressure saw him chip a rebound over Kirill Zarubin. Harvey was one of the four Oilers 2026 draft picks who suited up at Rookie Camp.
• The Oilers prospects' fourth goal was a thing of beauty. Picking up their second points, Hutson and Marjala connected on a pair of quick passes to find Howard coming through the crease to extend Edmonton's lead to 4-1.
• Calgary got their only goal of the night on an unassisted marker for Jonathan Castagne, but their desperation by pulling their netminder with over four minutes left while down three goals gave Rhett Pitlick the easy finish into an empty net soon after.
• Even with the victory secured, there was still time for camp invite defenceman Kyle Heger to wire a one-timer from Marjala past Zarubin to round out the scoring at 6-1. Marjala, who recorded 63 points in 70 AHL games last season, picked up his third helper.
