Goalie Mike Smith leads by example in Flames’ 1-0 win over Oilers
CALGARY — After challenging his team to be better, Mike Smith went out and led by example.
Smith made 28 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and Johnny Gaudreau had the only goal as the Calgary Flames edged the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 on Tuesday night, ending a seven-game losing streak against their provincial rival.
“Smitty is a real, fiery competitive guy and we wanted a different mindset coming in,” said coach Glen Gulutzan. “If you’re a guy like him and you’re competitive, you’re going to say things and you want things, and it’s going to be good for our group that he’s backing them up.”
After practice on Monday with the team reeling from Sunday’s disappointing 5-2 setback to the New York Islanders, Smith was vocal about how everyone had to step it up.