FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Instant Reaction: Flames battle for a point in Carolina
alt
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Ryan Pike
Nov 30, 2025, 19:40 EST
Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! 
On Sunday afternoon, the Calgary Flames headed to Raleigh, North Carolina to play their fourth game of their five game road trip when they visited the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flames were on their heels for a good chunk of the game, but they got enough big saves and smart defensive plays to hang around against a strong Hurricanes squad.
In a low-scoring battle of a game, the Flames lost to the Hurricanes in overtime by a 1-0 score.

The rundown

Neither team scored in the first period. The Hurricanes definitely got more chances and higher-quality chances as the Flames were stuck in their own end for big stretches. But Devin Cooley was sharp.
First period shots were 6-3 Hurricanes. Via Natural Stat Trick, 5v5 scoring chances were 12-6 Hurricanes and high-danger scoring chances were 6-2 Hurricanes.
Neither team scored in the second period. The Flames started to find ways to emerge from their own end and they ended up getting a few really strong looks on Carolina netminder Brandon Bussi. Both Bussi and Cooley were sharp.
Second period shots were 7-4 Flames. 5v5 scoring chances were 10-5 Hurricanes and high-danger scoring chances were 2-2.
The Flames had a lot of good looks in the third period.
Once again, both Cooley and Bussi had to make big stops to keep this game tied in the third period.
Third period shots were 6-5 Hurricanes. 5v5 scoring chances were 6-6 and high-danger scoring chances were 3-3.
This game went to overtime. In extra time, Taylor Hall and Nikolaj Ehlers executed a nice give-and-go play off the rush, with Ehlers tapping a Hall pass past Cooley at the far post to give Carolina a 1-0 victory.

Why the Flames got a point

Let’s give credit where it’s due. The Flames were on their heels a bit in the first half of the game, but they defended pretty well in their own zone and got strong goaltending. Gradually, they seemed to get more and more offensive opportunities and slowly took over the game. Considering they were playing the fourth game of a long road trip, the fact that they were able to hang in there and find their rhythm in a tough road building is pretty impressive. They definitely deserved the point they received.

Red Warrior

The Flames were hemmed in their own zone in the first half of this game and were defensively leaky in their own end in the rest of the game, and Devin Cooley made several big stops to bail them out.

Turning point

The Flames just couldn’t get much going offensively in overtime.

This and that

This was Devin Cooley’s second consecutive start, third straight appearance, and seventh start of the season. Dryden Hunt played his first game of the season.
Matt Coronato has downgraded from the full face shield to a standard visor.

After Burner

Join Mike Gould and Kent Wilson right after the game for After Burner!

Up next

The Flames (9-14-4) conclude their road trip on Tuesday night in Nashville against the Predators.

This article is brought to you by Platinum Mitsubishi

This article is a Presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the best warranty in the business with ten year warranties available. Check out the showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at www.mitsu.ca