In every life, there are beginnings and endings. While the preseason schedule usually begins with excitement and wonder, as we're seeing the first semi-meaningful hockey in months and months, it usually ends with the same general summation: thank goodness it's over.
The Calgary Flames suit up for their seventh (and final) exhibition contest of the 2016-17 preseason tonight in Vancouver, where they face the Canucks. The game signals the end of a schedule of practice games that were dominated by three things: strong impressions by Matthew Tkachuk, bemusement at the glut of bottom-six forwards in camp, and anxiety over Johnny Gaudreau's contract status.