CALGARY — Scott Kosmachuk had a goal and two assists and Ondrej Pavelec made 31 saves as the Winnipeg Jets shut out the Calgary Flames 4-0 on Sunday night.
Kosmachuk opened the scoring 4:48 into the first period, converting a slick feed from Chase De Leo on a 2-on-1.
The 22-year-old right winger was in the right spot to pick up an assist on the Jets second goal. Flames defenceman Brett Kulak tried to slap the puck around the end boards. Instead it drilled Kosmachuk in the shin and caromed out front where Ben Chariot knocked it in.
Mark Stuart made it 3-0 at 8:54 of the second on a 4-on-2, ripping a shot over the glove of Chad Johnson, assists going to Kosmachuk and De Leo.
Paul Postma also scored for Winnipeg (3-1-0). Closest to scoring for Calgary (2-3-0) was Mikael Backlund, who hit two goal posts.
While the odds are slim that Kosmachuk or De Leo will make the Jets opening night roster, Pavelec’s situation is different. Entering his 10th NHL season, he is looking to reaffirm himself as the No. 1 goaltender.
After a .920 save percentage two years ago, that fell to .904 last year. He is battling with Michael Hutchinson and top prospect Connor Hellebuyck.
Pavelec’s two best stops came in succession in the third period. He thwarted Lauri Korpikoski as he cut in dangerously off the wing. Minutes later, he threw out his glove to rob Sam Bennett.
It was a rough night for Johnson. Making his first start for the Flames at the Saddledome, the three goals on the Calgary native came on just six shots.
Prospect Jon Gillies made 17 saves in relief.
Notes: It was Backlund’s first pre-season game. He had to leave Team Sweden during the World Cup due to a concussion… Calgary had two PTOs in the line-up in Korpikoski and defenceman Nicklas Grossman… Flames are expected to get down to 25-26 skaters by early as Monday. They currently have 41 players in camp.
