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Flames Post-Game: The Flames move to 5-0-1 with a shootout victory over the Penguins
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Photo credit: © Sergei Belski - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Oct 23, 2024, 01:48 EDTUpdated: Oct 23, 2024, 18:40 EDT
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This article is brought to you by bet365.
The Calgary Flames continued their hot streak on Tuesday night at the Saddledome. In a back and forth contest, they battled back to force extra time and ultimately beat the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins by a 4-3 score in a six round shootout.

The rundown

The Flames took a 1-0 lead with just over eight minutes left in the first period, as defenceman Rasmus Andersson scored his third goal of the season and his seventh point of the season.
However, Bryan Rust tied the game for the Penguins in the second period as he was left all alone in the slot.
The Penguins went up 2-1 early in the third period, as Rickard Rakell tried to pass out front of the net, with the puck deflected off a body in front of the net.
About a minute later, the Flames got a second goal from a defenceman in this game, as MacKenzie Weegar’s slap shot went over the shoulder of Alex Nedeljkovic for his third goal of the season.
Once again, the Penguins went up a goal as Noel Accari had far too much room between four flames, beating Dustin Wolf to make it a 3-2 game.
But this is the no-quit 2024-25 Calgary Flames, as they, surprise, surprise, tied the game. This time, they pulled Wolf with under a minute left, with a point shot being blocked in front of the puck. Nazem Kadri quickly pounced on the loose puck and put it past Nedeljkovic to send the game to overtime.
Overtime solved nothing, meaning a shootout was needed to decide whether the Flames ended the night 5-0-1 or 4-0-2. In the sixth round of the skills competition, Justin Kirland out waited the netminder, ripping it by him underneath the glove. Evgeni Malkin was robbed by Wolf, meaning the Flames end the night 5-0-1.

Why the Flames won

One word: Resiliency.
On two occasions, the Flames were down a goal. In one instance, they scored shortly after. The second time, it took a few minutes, but they managed to tie it with the netminder pulled to send the game to overtime.
Good teams find a way to win, and the Flames did just that on Tuesday evening.

Red Warrior

Without question, the Flames’ Red Warrior was Dustin Wolf, who saved 35 of 38 shots the Penguins threw his way. Not only that, but he saved four of six shootout attempts, including shutting the door in the bonus rounds.

Turning point

If Nazem Kadri doesn’t pick up that loose puck in the final minute and snapped home a goal with 43 seconds left, the Flames would have likely suffered their first regulation loss of the season. Therefore, it’s fitting that the most important goal of the game was also the turning point for the Flames’ win.

This and that

Dustin Wolf has played three games this season and is undefeated. The 23-year-old netminder has been terrific between the pipes, rocking a .936 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average in those three games.
Defenceman Rasmus Andersson leads the team in points with eight, while also being tied alongside MacKenzie Weegar, Joanthan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri with a team-leading three goals. Everything clicking, and it’s great.
The alternate jerseys rule as well, hopefully, they are used frequently throughout the season.

Up next

The Flames are now 5-0-1 and return to action on Thursday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes. Their next opponent also played Tuesday, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime with just 6.1 seconds remaining
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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