Prior to Tuesday night’s match up with the Calgary Flames, Filip Forsberg had tallied three points in two games, all assists. In the 3-2 shootout loss the the Flames, Forsberg notched his first goal of the season and it was a beautiful one-timer set up by Derek Roy.
“He’s a really good player, so I just tried to get open,” said Forsberg on Roy. “I was just waiting for him to find me at the perfect spot and I got a pretty hard shot and it was on the ice and kind of sneaked through [Ramo’s] legs.”
While the goal itself was amazing, the line of Forsberg, Smith and Roy continued to have opportunities to score, only to be stopped by Calgary net-minder Karri Ramo.
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“We kind of battled pretty hard,” said Forsberg. “It wasn’t playing as good as the last two games. But I think the compete level was high and unfortunately we couldn’t get more than two goals.”
Halfway through the third period, on an interesting call by the officials, Forsberg was whistled for embellishment while Derek Engelland took an interference call. Forsberg was unsure of what happened during the play.
“I didn’t even know what I was called for actually,” said Forsberg about when the whistle first blew. “We should have gotten a [power play] there and it was obviously unfortunate we were on the 4-on-4 because I got that call.”
While getting an opportunity to go on the power play was trumped with the call, head coach Peter Laviolette didn’t get much of an explanation from the officials.
“I guess you don’t really need an explanation,” said Laviolette.” It’s diving. That was their call and their opinion. I guess those are going to happen with the new rule in place. Just have to move on from it.”
Continuing on in Forsberg’s development is his physical play. Tuesday night, Forsberg registered one hit and three blocked shots.
“It’s more right place, right time,” said Forsberg on blocking shots. “I’m not on the [penalty kill] but I still got to help the team defensively and I think that’s something I’ve been really improving on since last year. If I get a couple blocked shots that’s really good for the team.
Forsberg is certainly proving to be an asset to the team throughout the first three games of the season. Tuesday night, Forsberg recorded 16:48 on the ice including 1:34 on the power play. His chemistry with line-mates Derek Roy and Craig Smith is growing with each game.
“We’ve been getting better and better every day,” said Forsberg. “I’m really getting to know them on the ice and off the ice and it’s two really good guys, two really good hockey players. So, I just try to keep up with them out there.”
Even in the loss, opportunities were abound for Filip Forsberg. As long as Peter Laviolette continues to trust the young forward on the ice, his development will impress Predators fans for years to come.
View head coach Peter Laviolette’s full post-game press conference:
