There were stretches without many chances, some lagging veterans at pre-season speed, and terrific minor-leaguers who left a good impression in the Edmonton Oilers’ second exhibition game.

“It was obviously a battle-type game,” said head coach Mike Babcock after the game. “It’s exhibition, so both teams have partial lineups. But I thought our guys played hard. I didn’t think we gave up much through two. I thought Ungar played real well in the third.

“Walman had a heck of a game. You know, I’ve been hearing all this stuff about Wally. I mean, I was impressed by him.”

While Babcock mentioned Walman specifically, who showed some physical jam, he was outshot 5-4 during his ice time five-on-five. Babcock was also asked about Isaac Howard, who got to play with more skilled linemates in comparison to the first pre-season game.

Howard made a couple good puck plays on the line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, including a poised pass to Hyman to the net front on the power play, but it wasn’t the smoothest of overall games from the top line. They did have chances, but there were signs of rust from the veterans, and Howard was only occasionally noticeable.

“When you’re used to playing in a different league, and you have the puck all the time, and then you get out here, and you never get the puck, I think for young guys, it can be frustrating,” said Babcock. “Then you try to do too much instead of just doing your job, check it back, do your job, check it. You’re going to get a chance. Then you got to make it count. So it’s just a growing experience for Howie.”

Overall, that line played together for 11:28 at five-on-five, outscoring the opposition 1-0, but were outshot 5-3.

“I think it was just a simple game-just skating on pucks, thin lines, getting pucks in deep,” said Howard post-game. “I didn’t think there was a ton going on that game, but I think it was just a simple game.

“I’m just getting more comfortable with the different systems we’ve implemented, and I already felt a lot more natural this game than last game of just knowing where to be and being in the right spots. I think that’ll go a long way.”

Owen Michaels seems to have great positional awareness and was trusted to take some key faceoffs, although he didn’t do great in the faceoff circle. A big hit on Adam Lowry too in largely a no-hitter of a game. Eduards Tralmaks had moments in the second period where he looked like an absolute load to deal with, not to mention a hard and heavy shot. He had great quotes before the game about continuing to chase the NHL dream. Quinn Hutson and Aku Räty showed flashes.

I wasn’t so thrilled with Trent Frederic, who seemed to cut and paste a game from last year into this one. Josh Samanski seemed just okay, but there was little pop. Meanwhile, Kasperi Kapanen may have been the best veteran.

The penalty kill looks aggressive and is 5/5 in exhibition.

Babcock says they will take “a very American league lineup to Vancouver” for Thursday’s tilt against the Canucks, before an NHL-resembling roster plays the last pre-season game against Calgary on Saturday. 

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