Suniev Shines in Flames Pre-Season Opener Against Seattle

Aydar Suniev scored twice Sunday night in Calgary's preseason opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome, a 4-2 loss to Seattle, and the 20-year-old Russian winger said his summer work showed up immediately.

"I was working on my shot all summer and I'm glad it's paying off," Suniev said afterward.

He had already scored Calgary's only goal in the previous week's prospects game, giving him three goals across the two events. Coach Ryan Huska noticed. "Three goals so far and he's scored all three, so good on him," Huska said. "He can shoot a puck, and when he has opportunities it's nice to see him have success."

Suniev cut Seattle's 2-0 lead in half by converting a Sam Honzek feed in the slot and beating Philipp Grubauer with a quick release. He tied the game 2-2 in the third period with a shot from the left circle that beat Nikke Kokko. Seattle regained the lead on Logan Morrison's power-play deflection before Jon-Randall Avon added an empty-net goal.

Selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, Suniev spent last season with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers after two years at UMass-Amherst. He finished the game with a team-high four shots on goal.

Honzek, Calgary's first-round pick in 2023, returned to NHL game action after missing 10 months and assisted on Suniev's first goal. Sportsnet called him the best Flames player on the ice.

Zayne Parekh finished with 10 shot attempts and ran Calgary's first power-play unit. Suniev also hit the post during a 4-on-3 power play involving Parekh, Matvei Gridin and Rory Kerins.