Reeling from a blowout loss two nights earlier, the Calgary Flames bounced again impressively on Saturday by blanking the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Led by rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season, Calgary chalked up a 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers, who’ve been shutout in consecutive video games.
“After the final sport, all people needed to return in and supply a greater effort and I believed that is what we did tonight,” stated Wolf, who watched Tampa Bay’s 8-3 win over Calgary from the bench.
Whereas it was Dan Vladar who struggled that night time, Wolf was coming off a tough patch himself. After beginning the season 8-2-1, he had misplaced his final three whereas surrendering 14 objectives.
“There’s gonna be nights the place bounces do not go your method, video games do not go your method, and there is issues you may look again on the place you wish to be higher,” stated Wolf. “The final couple, I’ve not been at my finest however that is the best way hockey goes generally. Any time you get the following alternative, you wish to take advantage of it.”
After sitting out 5 of the final six, Wolf bought again between the pipes at residence the place he is been distinctive.
Wolf’s splits on the season have been excessive. He is now 8-1-0 on the Scotiabank Saddledome with a .949 save proportion. Comparably, he is 1-4-1 with a .862 save proportion on the street.
“Everyone goes via a stretch or two like that. It is simply sticking with it and ensuring he is aware of we proceed to consider in him,” stated Flames coach Ryan Huska.
“However even within the video games the place we bought beat and he gave up some objectives, I did not suppose he was poor. I simply did not suppose the staff was pretty much as good in entrance of him.”
Struggling
Calgary has been struggling of late, getting into the night time 2-5-2 in its final 9. The tailspin had dropped the Flames out of a playoff spot within the Western Convention.
Blake Coleman stated Saturday’s win is a reminder that his membership is not going away.
“We simply beat the Cup champs. So it exhibits you that we have some struggle on this group and a few punch in us,” stated Coleman, whose sixth aim with 55 seconds left within the second interval gave the house aspect a two-goal cushion headed to the third interval.
“We have stated all of it yr, if we play that method, we will beat anyone and we really feel very assured in that,” stated the veteran winger. “It is a laborious model of hockey, so you would be mendacity if you happen to stated you are going to have it for all 82 video games. However if you happen to can have it for 80 per cent of your video games, you are going to give your self a combating likelihood to be able the place it issues down the stretch.”
A key second within the sport got here when former Flame Sam Bennett was stopped on a 3rd interval breakaway. Mikael Backlund scored proper after, his first aim in 15 video games, and Calgary was in management.
“Nicely, it was my turnover, so it was actually large,” stated Coleman with a chuckle, requested in regards to the breakaway cease. “That is the type of goalie he’s, particularly at residence this yr, he is simply been lights out. Should you make a mistake, he is there and he is bought your again. He makes that save and Backs places it away.”
Wolf stated he was comfortable he was capable of ship a giant cease in a key second.
“Any time you may make a save in a 3rd interval or a breakaway save basically, your hope is that it brings your staff some momentum,” stated Wolf.
Backlund stated he was pleased with his staff’s effort after imploding within the third interval 48 hours earlier.
“After final sport and the best way we performed currently, we might have simply gone the opposite method,” stated the Flames captain. “However the group confirmed some power popping out and enjoying actually stable tonight and undoubtedly displaying that we’re not going away and we’re gonna struggle until the tip and be pushing for a playoff spot.”
Nazem Kadri had Calgary’s different aim, his third straight sport with a aim.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 24, 2024.