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 purpose towards the Vancouver Canucks through the third interval at Rogers Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Bob Frid-Imagn Photographs Over the course of an extended season, the Calgary Flames know there can be ups and downs. Nonetheless, it took just one sport for the Flames to exhibit 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 sport Saturday towards the Philadelphia Flyers.
Calgary skilled a curler coaster in its first sport, 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 gained 6-5 in extra time.
“There is not any stop,” Calgary captain Mikael Backlund stated. “We imagine in ourselves, and we’ll combat until the tip. So, irrespective 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 every of 5 Flames with a purpose 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, when you do take a look at it within the large image, it’s a comeback and that offers guys a number of confidence figuring out — early within the season — that we’re by no means out of a sport,” Weegar stated.
The Flames missed the playoffs in every of the previous two seasons and seemed to be heading down an analogous path within the first interval Wednesday earlier than wanting way more like a postseason contender thereafter.
“We simply form of performed somewhat bit extra responsibly,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska stated of his workforce’s changes after the primary interval. “We had numbers above the puck, and I believe the composure began to creep again into our sport as soon as we scored that second purpose, after which it was an entertaining sport. It simply type 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 fitting publish.
“While you are available on that angle and that gradual, it may possibly type of freeze the goalie,” he stated. “I am simply on the lookout for my spot and attempting to get him to chew. … Pleased 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 means (to win),” Flyers coach John Tortorella stated.
Maybe extra notable for the Flyers had been the NHL debuts of 2023 first-round choose Matvei Michkov and 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko. Neither registered a degree, however each appeared extra snug as the sport progressed.
“I assumed they appeared as calm as ever for guys making their debuts,” Frost stated.
Philadelphia and Calgary cut up their two conferences final season, with every successful on its residence ice. The Flames took a 4-3 resolution on New Yr’s Eve earlier than the Flyers gained a measure of revenge with a 3-2 triumph on Jan. 6.
–Discipline Stage Media
