The Calgary Flames went into scenic Winnipeg on Saturday night to close out a four game road trip with a Hockey Day in Canada clash with the Jets. The Flames got timely goals in the first two periods and many, many saves throughout this contest.

The Flames never trailed as they scored twice and then hung on for dear life in a 3-1 victory over the Jets.

The opening period was fairly back and forth. Possession was almost even, but the Jets definitely did a better job translating possession into dangerous chances.

13 minutes into the game, though, Matt Coronato received a pass from the wall from Blake Coleman. Coronato, located just above the circles, fired a laser of a shot that beat Eric Comrie high and gave the Flames a 1-0 lead.

First period shots were 12-6 Jets. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 10-3 Jets (high-danger chances were 4-1 Jets).

The Jets continued to press in the second period, looking for the equalizer. But the Flames managed to take advantage of a mid-period penalty by Mark Scheifele and capitalize to give themselves a two goal lead. Rory Kerins and Blake Coleman led a power play rush from the neutral zone, then dished the puck to Andrei Kuzmenko and headed towards the net. With many bodies in front of Comrie, Kuzmenko fired the puck past the Jets netminder to give the Flames a power play goal and a 2-0 lead.

Second period shots were 11-10 Jets. Five-on-five scoring chances were 11-2 Jets (high-danger chances were 7-2 Jets).

The Jets pressed almost perpetually throughout the third period, but Dustin Wolf was sharp.

Winnipeg spoiled Wolf’s shutout bid two minutes into the period. The Jets won an offensive zone face-off to the point, leading to Colin Miller’s point shot – with bodies in front – getting deflected by Adam Lowry past Wolf to cut Calgary’s lead to 2-1.

The Flames nearly made it 3-1, though, after a deflection by Coleman clanged off both posts but didn’t cross the goal line.

The Jets pulled Comrie for the extra attacker, but the Flames did a good job of disrupting their late attack. Coleman sent the puck into the empty net with 1:05 left in regulation to give the Flames a 3-1 lead. They held on for the victory.

Third period shots were 16-6 Jets. Five-on-five scoring chances were 6-3 Jets (high-danger chances were 2-0 Jets).

Let’s call a spade a spade: Dustin Wolf won this game for the Flames. He made 38 saves, many of them dangerous chances, and he painted a proverbial masterpiece.

But give the Flames credit: their special teams units out-scored the Jets’ special teams units, including a couple big kills against the top power play in the league, and that was what got them across the line.

Hands down, it’s Wolf. But Coleman also had a really strong outing, so honourable mention to him.

We’re going to single out a third period penalty kill for the Flames. Down a goal and trying to tie the game, the Flames allowed three shots but did their level best to avoid giving up too many Grade-A chances to the Jets – Natural Stat Trick credited the Jets with zero high-danger chances on their second man advantage. Simply put: that was a game-saving penalty kill.

This was Ryan Lomberg’s 300th NHL game and Rasmus Andersson’s 500th NHL game.

The Flames (22-16-7) are headed home. They have a bit of a break, and then they’re back in action on Thursday night at home against the Buffalo Sabres.