In the morning, Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley made no bones about it.
Saturday night’s pre-season finale against the Winnipeg Jets was of utmost importance for Brett Kulak in his hopes to earn a shot on the team’s opening-day roster.
Not only did Hartley say it was “the biggest test of his life,” but he added the affair was a “playoff game” for the defenceman who’s been the club’s biggest training-camp surprise.
And the assessment after the club’s 3-2 defeat at the Saddledome?
“He looked like a playoff defenceman,” Hartley said of Kulak. “He played very well.