In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, Nazem Kadri scored the decisive goal in the fourth round of a shootout, leading the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. The win allowed Calgary to climb out of the NHL cellar, improving their record to 7-13-3 with a total of 17 points, just one point ahead of last-place Nashville.
The Flames started strong, with Matt Coronato and Joel Farabee scoring in the first two periods to give Calgary a 2-0 lead. However, the Stars rallied back in the third period, bringing the game to a tie with goals from Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. The game showcased the skills of both teams, with Robertson extending his impressive goal streak to six games, marking his total at 13 goals for the season.
Key Moments and Performances
In goal, Devin Cooley made 28 saves for the Flames, while Casey DeSmith stopped 31 shots for the Stars. The shootout saw Kadri put Calgary ahead with a skillful forehand-to-backhand deke, tucking the puck under the crossbar. Cooley then sealed the victory by stopping Hintz’s attempt, securing the Flames’ much-needed win.
Adding to the drama of the game, Mikko Rantanen, a right winger for the Stars, was ejected in the final minute of the second period after delivering a heavy check from behind on Coronato, who left the ice bleeding. This incident marked Rantanen’s second major penalty and game misconduct within six periods. He had received a similar penalty in a previous game against the New York Islanders for a hit on Alexander Romanov. Rantanen currently leads the NHL with 57 penalty minutes, five more than Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals.
In response to Rantanen’s hit, Jonathan Huberdeau immediately defended Coronato, leading to a fight that marked Huberdeau’s first fighting major since the 2018-19 preseason.
Upcoming Matches
The Flames will look to build on this momentum as they head to Vancouver on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Stars are set to face the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, looking to bounce back from this loss.
This encounter highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, showcasing the Flames’ determination to rise in the standings and the Stars’ resilience despite the setback.
