New comer Matthew Tkachuk scores on his debut, Chinook dominate in home opener win against Orrsmen

CALGARY – For the 2019-20 season, Matthew Tkachuk will be an assistant captain for the Chinook. We’d expect the 21-year-old superstar to try to fill the net every night. And as we saw on Friday night at Scotiabank Bank Saddledome, Tkachuk remains rather capable scoring against the Parry Sound Orrsmen in the season opener, propelling the Calgary to a 5-2 victory.

“Chunky is scoring and hitting everything in sight,” Captain Mark Giordano said. “He is always ready. As teammates, you become a bit used to it, but when you take a step back and look at it, it’s pretty impressive.”

Jakob Silfverberg, flying all night, scores a pair in the first period. Orrsemen Kevin
Labanc scores a quick goal just 3 seconds left in the first period pass Carey Price to get
the Orrsmen back by 1. Pelech would then scores for the Orrsmen to tie the game at 2
in the second period. Then, on a Calgary power play beginning of the third, it was
Aleksander Barkov beating Orrsmen goalie Jacob Markstrom on a one-timer and
eventually the game winning goal.

“They were unbelievable passes,” Barkov said. “When Pasta have the puck, you have
to be ready. You never know when it can come to you, but he made an unbelievable
pass and then Carlson had eyes in the back of his head on the power play there. It was
an amazing pass and I tried to get it off as quick as possible.”

The Chinook, before a sellout crowd of 19,289, were in control for much of the evening.
Tkachuk and Barkov will wear the ‘A’ on an alternating basis, while Giordano is a
permanent captain.

“He is the kind of man and kind of leader and kind of person that our guys look up to,”
GM/Coach Eugene said. “He does everything right every day. He is about winning. He
is a great example for all of us.”

UP NEXT:

Chinook will travel to Parry Sound for the second half of the back to back series against
the Orrsmen on Saturday.

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