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A tough stretch in Denver continues for Flames with loss to Avalanche

Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

By Ryan Pike

Nov 1, 2026, 13:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 1, 2026, 03:21 EDT

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The Calgary Flames came to Denver on Saturday night for a clash with the Colorado Avalanche having not won in regulation in Ball Arena since 2022.

That streak continued on Saturday night. Playing for the second time in as many nights, with travel, and with a rookie netminder between the pipes playing his second NHL game, the Flames just didn’t have enough in the tank in a 5-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Ball Arena has been a tough arena for the Flames, with the team getting only a shootout victory from their previous seven trips – going 1-6-0 in that span. Halloween Night shaped up to be a scary outing for the Flames, given their travel, Colorado having been idle since Wednesday, and that their previous meeting in Calgary was a 7-3 win for the Avalanche.

The Avalanche were the better team, getting out to a 4-0 lead by 9:07 into the second period. But give the Flames credit: they didn’t throw in the towel, and they were full marks for their battle level in the second half of the game.

The Avalanche got a pair of goals from Artturi Lehkonen, and singles from Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Brock Nelson. The Flames responded with goals from Joel Farabee and Martin Pospisil. The Flames seemed to make adjustments as the game went on, but they struggled with the Avalanche’s speed for most of the game.

“I think they were way faster,” said Pospisil, via Flames TV. “And I think they had a way better forecheck. It was pretty tough. I think the third period was way better.”

Flames head coach Ryan Huska offered his assessment of how his club dealt with the challenging combination of schedule and opponent.

“So-so,” said Huska, via Flames TV. “Like I thought we had some stretches where we had some pretty good zone time, but not able to generate. So there was certain hard parts of the game that I felt like we needed more in tonight.”

Called up from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers on Friday morning, rookie netminder Arsenii Sergeev made 28 saves in his second career NHL appearance.

“I think he did a good job,” said Huska. “I think he looked a little bit nervous early on, but then he settled in and he made some nice saves as the game went on.”

The Flames return to action on Monday night when they visit the San Jose Sharks.

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