The Calgary Flames (7-13-3) overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to clinch a 3-2 shootout win against the Dallas Stars (13-5-4) on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Matt Coronato ignited the offense with his eighth power-play goal, while Joel Farabee added his fifth to give Calgary early control. Nazem Kadri assisted twice and later made key shots to secure the win.
Goalie Devin Cooley delivered a strong performance, making 28 saves for his second consecutive victory. Coming off his first season win against the Buffalo Sabers, Cooley showcased his skills by stopping all 13 shots through the opening period, especially during Dallas’s power play. Calgary eventually scored on their second power play when Coronato turned and scored, assisted by Kadri.
The second period saw more impressive saves from Cooley, including a highlight reel glove stop against Aleksandar Petrovic that energized the crowd. Calgary dominated play by cycling all four lines, taking 17 shots but failing to increase their lead. Tensions flared late when Mikko Rantanen was penalized for boarding Coronato, leading to a skirmish with Jonathan Huberdeau stepping in to protect his teammate.
Calgary pushed their lead to 2-0 early in the third via a redirected shot from Farabee. Dallas fought back with goals from Jason Robertson and Lupe Hintz to tie the game 2-2. Despite being down two players during a late game delay, Calgary held strong and ultimately won in the shootout with Kadri scoring the decisive goal.
Key takeaways include Cooley’s growing confidence in net, Kuznetsov logging the most minutes on defense with nearly 23 minutes of ice time, and Kadri’s strong return to form, contributing heavily on offense. Cooley praised the team’s unity against a top opponent, Huberdeau highlighted the team’s speed, and Coronato expressed growing team confidence and resilience.
Fan Take: This thrilling comeback and shootout victory show the Flames’ potential to compete with elite teams, injecting excitement into the league and giving fans hope. It also underscores the rising importance of strong goaltending and clutch performances in high-pressure moments, which can shape playoff futures and the sport’s competitive landscape.
