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Beyond the Boxscore: Flames survive Hurricanes relentless forecheck to win game 3-2

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

By Flash Stevens

Oct 19, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 19, 2026, 09:21 EDT

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The Calgary Flames came on late and made it count, taking their first home victory of the year 3-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes.

CF% – 38.54% || SCF% – 40.75% || HDCF% – 38.46% || xGF% – 36.89%

It’s a Team Game – This game was a grind for the Flames who really found themselves outmatched at multiple points in this game. Calgary came out and got some good chances early, but after Carolina got things going in a flow they kept forcing Flames turnovers all through both the neutral zone and Flames defending zone. Carolina would not hesitate after the turnovers occurred, showcasing a very impressive ability to tilt the ice regularly. They came close plenty of times as well, with Carolina hitting 5 posts in this one. All that to point out the Flames did a lot of surviving, but in the midst of that they would pounce on a rebound and shoot up the ice for their own chances. It all culminated in the third period where Calgary was able to really push the Hurricanes, and got one of those fast breaks where Yegor Sharangovich sniped one to send the residents of the Saddledome home happy.

Corsi King – Preface before we get into the numbers – they aren’t good. That’s fine, it was the defending cup champs and they still won, today’s focus is going to be on things I saw go well. Such as how often I noticed Mikael Backlund (52.19 CF%) lead the charge through the neutral zone with possession. He was constantly going from blue to blue entering the attacking zone with possession. Not often he needed to default to a long dump, he was really in control whenever he could get the puck in space. On the backend Kevin Bahl (49.25%) continued to keep things locked up tight. If you are going to approach him at the blueline be prepared to get a hit or a squeeze out. Either way, he’s making sure the puck leaves your stick. He always ends up with the puck in some good shooting spots, with Nemec there as an option to rip it I do think Bahl will see some lighter coverages. He could let a few blasts go from the high slot. I do prefer shots from in tight, but if you don’t keep the defence honest they’ll start cheating on coverage.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – It’s really refreshing to see Matt Coronato (37.13 SCF% // 34.32 HDCF%) make something happen almost every game. It’s not just his shot doing the work, he’s hunting down pucks in the attacking zone, winning battles, making moves, and dishing it well too. He’s really rounding into a consistent scoring forward – whatever line he plays on is getting a treat, the opportunity to play with the clear best offensive weapon Calgary currently has. Although if Matvei Gridin (22.6% // 0%) can keep ripping it like he did on his goal (they called it medium danger due to distance) then Coronato can have some competition.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – I’ve given Yegor Sharangovich (48.27 xGF%) a few shout-outs this year, as he’s consistently been very good. Now he’s getting a full blown paragraph dedicated to his hustle because he was extremely noticeable all night. He had six shots on net – not shot attempts, shots that connected – including the beautiful game winning clapper. His line was constantly able to flip the ice all night long, even amongst the long stretches of struggle Sharangovich and company were still pressing. He’s completely back in the zone and playing like he was the year he arrived in Calgary and scored 30. I hope it lasts, it’d be good for the team to have another reliable scoring option. Morgan Frost (50.40%) got in on the offence with Sharangovich, showcasing just how good he can look when things are rolling in the offensive zone. He just has had trouble operating from in there so far – not in this one.

I didn’t even get to mention Zayne Parekh (39.37%) – who was with a new partner today. Oh well, a good game next outing and he can have the Sharangovich treatment.

Game Flow –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – Deevin Cooley was in last years form, doing everything in his power to stop every shot he could (and there were a lot of good ones). Carolina was constantly in his business, but Cooley just kept on trucking. No matter how loud the “pings” got behind him, or how much traffic was ambushing the slot, he remained his athletic self. Cooley had to scramble and make quick reactions in every period, right until the end. Without him and his 1.67 goals saved above expected (just at 5v5) this is not a happy Flames victory, it’s another significant home loss. (Significant because it is the last year of the Saddledome, not because of team expectations.)

The Goals –

Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

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🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Matvei Gridin scores his first goal of the season and it is a rocket 🚀 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

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1:37 AM · Oct 19, 2026

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Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

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🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Farabee ➡️ Parekh ➡️ Frost. What a goal! 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

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1:41 AM · Oct 19, 2026

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Robert Munnich

@Robert_Munnich

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🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Morgan Frost sets up Yegor Sharangovich for the go ahead goal! 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

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2:32 AM · Oct 19, 2026

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