The loss dropped Calgary's pre-season record to 3-1-1.

The battle of the backups between incumbent Jamie McLennan and challenger Dany Sabourin didn't get any closer to being solved as the former, carrying a one-way contract, continued shoveling his own grave with another less than riveting pre-season performance.

Coach Darryl Sutter is also still waiting for Oleg Saprykin, whom he had told had a roster spot before camp opened, to step up and earn it.

CAMP IMPLICATIONS

This was probably a game which broke the back or saved the day for a few rookies and veterans as the Flames begin to wind down their exhibition schedule.

With only two games remaining, it figures several cuts will be announced before the Flames play next in Edmonton.

DEFENCE 

Could it be that Mike Commodore is figuring to impress Sutter by not playing at all? Commodore was tossed from yet another game for a third man in violation, logging only 5:57 in ice time and 10 shifts. Commodore is in a duel to the death with Steve Montador and Jesse Wallin for a single spot - unless GM Sutter clears out a veteran defenceman to open another place at the table.

With 27:49 in ice time and 36 shifts, Wallin was played to exhaustion last night as Sutter obviously wanted to get a full read on the former Red Wing. There was great hope that Wallin would come into camp flush with the experience of playing with the imposing defencemen in Detroit but he hasn't distinguished himself from his competition.

Andrew Ference logged another 27:12 in ice time through 33 shifts and was on in the final minute of the third period as the Flames tried desperately to tie the game. Through five exhibition games Ference is getting the most ice time of any Flames defender by far and is the single defenceman benefiting the most from Sutter's command that his defenders become more involved in the play on the offensive side of the puck.

Jordan Leopold is light years ahead of where he was at this point last pre-season and seems poised to take another step forward. He collected two assists and logged just under 20 minutes in ice time.

FORWARDS 

Robert Dome's heart and intensity were questioned before training camp began but there seems little doubt his play with and without the puck is strengthening the closer we get to opening day. Yet his ice time was again limited to 13:52 - still the most he's logged in a game this pre-season - which defies analysis as it puts him at the bottom of the heap compared to the people he's competing with. Does he already have a spot locked up or is Sutter seeing something he doesn't like and limiting Dome's opportunity? Scored his third of the pre-season.

This was probably the best game of the pre-season for Oleg Saprykin but he's still far away from justifying the confidence Sutter placed in him when the Calgary GM told him a roster spot was locked before training camp began. He logged 15:04 in ice time through 22 shifts.

Matthew Lombardi's play is also strengthening the closer we get to opening day but with Craig Conroy, Steve Reinprecht, Stephane Yelle and probably Blair Betts ahead of him on the depth chart it would seem likely Lombardi's ticket to the AHL is soon to be punched. However, the kid is looking like a shoe-in to return to the NHL as a fill-in or full-time employment within the next year or so. Lombardi logged 17:42 in ice time through 28 shifts.

There is little doubt Blair Betts has a headlock on the fourth line centre job. He had 18:32 in ice time over 30 shifts.

At this point its difficult to see Matt Davidson making the cut. He'd been outshone earlier by Josh Green and Shean Donovan while turning in a non-descript, unnoticeable training camp and exhibition schedule.

Jason Morgan hasn't hurt himself in this training camp and one could easily picture him as a call-up in the event of someone like Betts being injured. He had 17:05 in ice time and 29 shifts in another dependable performance.

Calgarypuck hopes Jeff Ewasko enjoyed his cup of coffee in the NHL last night. Did he earn a contract? We're not seeing it.

Chris Clark seemed in danger of falling into the pack of wingers competing for a slew of jobs but has probably rescued himself in the last few exhibition games. Clark left the game with an injury last night, a factor that may prolong one decision up front if he can't start the season. Time will tell.

GOALTENDERS 

The scariest thing happening in Calgary's camp is the guy many had openly targeted for the ECHL, Brent Krahn, is the player making the best argument to be Roman Turek's backup in the NHL.

Jamie McLennan continues to submarine while simultaneously kicking the door open for both Krahn and Sabourin, although the latter has also been having his highs and lows.

While Sabourin allowed only a single goal last night he also was fortunate to have two shots ring the goalpost, saving him from ending up with three behind him as McLennan did.

A trouble for Sutter in the evaluation process is the Flames have actually been so dominant that their goaltenders really aren't getting many shots, the Canucks last night limited to twelve.

But scoring on five of them.

Tickling the back of Sutter's mind must be the horrifying thought of a Turek injury - similar to last year - and turning the season over to a veteran who can't stop a beach ball right now . . . . or two rookies.

POSTSCRIPT - Sutter told FAN960 in the pre-game show he wasn't patting himself on the back just yet over a power play that's scored nine times in only five games, ascribing the success to a combination of tepid competition and young players eager to make their mark.

Sutter also indicated the evaluation process at the moment is not only centering on roster spots but also on evaluating potential call-ups, suggesting he's likely already made decisions on someone like Jason Morgan as an example.

Waiver draft is October 3.