Oct 9, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames ahead Jonathan Huberdeau (10) and ahead Martin Pospisil (76) and defenseman Brayden Pachal (94) rejoice Huberdeau’s aim towards the Vancouver Canucks throughout the third interval at Rogers Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Bob Frid-Imagn Pictures Over the course of a protracted season, the Calgary Flames know there will probably be ups and downs. Nonetheless, it took just one recreation for the Flames to reveal the resiliency that they hope to hold with them all through the marketing campaign.
Recent off an thrilling win of their season opener, the Flames look to journey the momentum into their residence recreation Saturday towards the Philadelphia Flyers.
Calgary skilled a curler coaster in its first recreation, falling behind 3-0 after simply 13 minutes towards the Vancouver Canucks and trailing 4-1 after one interval. The Flames turned it on thereafter, although, as they surged forward 5-4 and in the end received 6-5 in additional time.
“There is not any stop,” Calgary captain Mikael Backlund mentioned. “We imagine in ourselves, and we’ll struggle until the top. So, regardless of who the opponent is, we’ll exit each night time and attempt to win video games.”
Connor Zary scored the game-winner for Calgary and was one in all 5 Flames with a aim and an help, becoming a member of Martin Pospisil, Anthony Mantha and Rasmus Andersson. Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar additionally scored for Calgary, and Nazem Kadri had two assists.
“Clearly, for those who do have a look at it within the huge image, it’s a comeback and that offers guys numerous confidence figuring out — early within the season — that we’re by no means out of a recreation,” Weegar mentioned.
The Flames missed the playoffs in every of the previous two seasons and gave the impression to be heading down an analogous path within the first interval Wednesday earlier than trying way more like a postseason contender thereafter.
“We simply form of performed somewhat bit extra responsibly,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska mentioned of his staff’s changes after the primary interval. “We had numbers above the puck, and I feel the composure began to creep again into our recreation as soon as we scored that second aim, after which it was an entertaining recreation. It simply sort of took off from there.”
The Flyers opened their season Friday with a 3-2 shootout win in Vancouver. Philadelphia’s Morgan Frost netted the decisive tally to make a winner of Samuel Ersson (24 saves).
Frost skated in methodically earlier than snapping a wrister inside the correct put up.
“If you are available in on that angle and that sluggish, it will possibly sort of freeze the goalie,” he mentioned. “I am simply searching for my spot and making an attempt to get him to chunk. … Glad to contribute to the win.”
Tyson Foerster and Cam York tallied in regulation for Philadelphia, which is seeking to attain the postseason for the primary time since 2019-20.
“We discovered a method (to win),” Flyers coach John Tortorella mentioned.
Maybe extra notable for the Flyers have been the NHL debuts of 2023 first-round choose Matvei Michkov and 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko. Neither registered some extent, however each appeared extra snug as the sport progressed.
“I believed they seemed as calm as ever for guys making their debuts,” Frost mentioned.
Philadelphia and Calgary break up their two conferences final season, with every profitable on its residence ice. The Flames took a 4-3 resolution on New 12 months’s Eve earlier than the Flyers gained a measure of revenge with a 3-2 triumph on Jan. 6.
–Area Stage Media