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The Calgary Flames hosted the Nashville Predators on Friday night. It was the Flames’ first game in a few days, and the Predators’ second game in as many nights. It was hardly an offensive clash of titans, but both teams got strong netminding and that set the tone for the hockey game.
The Flames scored in the third period and hung on for a 2-0 victory. It was Dustin Wolf’s first career NHL shutout.
The rundown
Neither team scored in the first period, and the play was segmented into two chunks. At five-on-five, Nashville carried play. But on a couple power plays, the Flames generated a ton but couldn’t quite solve Juuse Saros. On the other side, Dustin Wolf made a big shorthanded stop to keep the game tied at 0-0.
First period shots were 10-8 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 10-5 Predators (high-dangers were 4-1 Predators).
The second period had a bit more flow to it, with both teams getting zone time and some pretty solid scoring chances. Both Wolf and Saros had to be sharp.
The Flames had a gigantic opportunity to take charge of this game late in the period. First, Matt Coronato drew a holding penalty to put Calgary on the power play. Then, Nashville put the puck over the glass off the face-off, giving the Flames a two-man advantage for nearly two full minutes – officially, 1:56. But they generated just a single shot on goal.
Second period shots were 14-8 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 15-9 Flames (high-dangers were 2-1 Predators).
Flames pressed in third, finally solved Saros.
Kadri FO win back to Weegar. Weegar fed pinching Miromanov, who fired puck past Saros. 1-0 CGY.
The Predators pressed for the equalizer, eventually pulling Saros for the extra attacker. But Blake Coleman scored on the empty net to give the Flames a 2-0 lead, and they hung on for the victory.
Third period shots were 13-9 Predators. Five-on-five scoring chances were 10-7 Predators (high-dangers were 4-3 Predators).
Why the Flames won
Give the Predators credit: for their second game in as many nights, they battled nicely and made the change work for it.
The Flames were pretty solid throughout this game at five-on-five, and they looked progressively more dangerous as the game wore on. They weren’t exactly opportunistic with their offensive chances, though, and they seemed to get in their own way at times – too many passes sometimes, not enough passes at other times. But they got enough pucks past Saros, and their goaltender was excellent when called upon.
Red Warrior
Wolf put up a bagel, so it goes to him.
Turning point
Miromanov’s goal seemed to lead to a collective sigh of relief from the Saddledome crowd.
This and that
Jonathan Huberdeau took a big hit along the end boards in the Nashville zone early in the game, but despite going off very gingerly he returned for his next shift and didn’t miss any time.
Brayden Pachal nearly crushed Zachary L’Heureux with a hit in the first period and was promptly engaged by Michael McCarron for a short fight.
Up next
The Flames (9-6-3) have a few off-days between games for rest and practice. They’re back in action on Tuesday night when they welcome their expansion siblings, the New York Islanders, to town.
