The Calgary Flames found themselves in a tight defensive battle Thursday night at the Saddledome, eventually defeating the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in a shootout. Connor Zary opened the scoring in the first period, Dylan Holloway answered for St. Louis in the second, and the game remained deadlocked through regulation and overtime before Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin provided the shootout heroics for Calgary.
This wasn't pretty hockey. This was persistence rewarded in the most methodical way possible.
The Story
Connor Zary opened the scoring at 2:34 of the first period with a goal assisted by Ryan Strome, giving Calgary the early advantage. The Flames carried that lead through the remainder of the opening frame and into the second period.
Dylan Holloway tied the game at 3:47 of the second period, converting on a play set up by Jimmy Snuggerud and Robert Thomas. The goal came after Calgary had controlled much of the early action, but St. Louis found their equalizer through their top performers.
The game remained 1-1 through the third period and into overtime, where neither team could find the decisive goal despite quality chances. In the shootout, Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin both scored for Calgary to secure the victory and give the Flames just their second win in their last seven games.
Systems & Structure
The most revealing number from this game was the shot count (31-27 Calgary) and how both teams managed to create quality scoring chances in a tight-checking affair. Calgary entered this game needing to find ways to win close games, while St. Louis came in looking to build momentum in their own playoff push.
The defensive play from both sides was evident in how few high-danger chances were created at even strength. Philip Broberg led St. Louis with 29:06 of ice time, anchoring their defensive effort, while Kevin Bahl logged 21:42 for Calgary in a key defensive role.
The Players Who Mattered
Matvei Gridin came through in the shootout with the decisive goal, capping off a solid performance that helped Calgary secure the victory. His shootout winner was the culmination of a patient approach that saw him contribute when it mattered most.
Connor Zary broke through with his goal in the first period, providing Calgary with the early lead they needed. His ability to finish the chance created by Ryan Strome set the tone for Calgary's eventual victory.
Dylan Holloway collected his goal and kept St. Louis in the game with his second-period marker. The assist from Jimmy Snuggerud and Robert Thomas showcased the Blues' ability to create chances through their top players.
Devin Cooley stopped 26 of 27 shots for Calgary, providing the steady goaltending that allowed his team to stay in the game and eventually win it. His performance in regulation and overtime set up the shootout opportunity.
Joel Hofer made 30 saves on 31 shots for St. Louis, matching Cooley's strong performance between the pipes. Despite the shootout loss, Hofer kept his team competitive throughout the contest.
What the Numbers Say
• Calgary outshot St. Louis 31-27 in a game where both goaltenders were excellent, with Cooley stopping 26 of 27 and Hofer making 30 saves on 31 shots.
• Connor Zary's first-period goal came at 2:34 with an assist from Ryan Strome, giving Calgary the early advantage they would need to secure the victory.
• Dylan Holloway's equalizer at 3:47 of the second period was assisted by Jimmy Snuggerud and Robert Thomas, showcasing St. Louis's ability to respond when trailing.
• The shootout featured goals by Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin for Calgary, with both players coming through in the decisive moment to secure the victory.
• St. Louis outhit Calgary 26-17 in a physical contest that saw both teams commit to defensive hockey and limiting quality scoring chances.
• Philip Broberg logged 29:06 of ice time to lead St. Louis, while Kevin Bahl played 21:42 for Calgary as both defensemen anchored their respective blue lines.
Looking Ahead
This victory moves Calgary to 28-34-6, providing a much-needed two points in their quest to build momentum. The win snaps a recent losing streak and gives them something to build on moving forward. For St. Louis, the loss is disappointing given their strong goaltending performance, but they showed they can compete in tight games and will look to bounce back in their next outing.
What They Said
The Flames' development narrative took center stage in what became a showcase of growth and opportunity. Coach Ryan Huska had plenty of praise for Connor Zary, whose breakout performance highlighted the team's youth movement.
"Connor was skating tonight and he was making plays," Huska said. "He looked like he had some good confidence with the puck."
That confidence has been building over months, not just games. "For the last two and a half months, you can take a few games and throw them out, but he's been a much better player for us," Huska noted, pointing to a sustained improvement that's caught management's attention.
For Zary, the approach remains refreshingly simple despite the growing expectations. "Just trying to play my game," Zary said. "Go out there and play fast, make plays, and be skilled and drive the net. I think that's what I do best and that's something I got to continue to do and be consistent at."
The bigger picture isn't lost on Huska, who sees these performances as auditions for the future. "The players understand that they have opportunity in front of them and we're looking for people that are going to help drive us forward," he explained. "If someone can raise their level this time of year and show they can be a guy that's counted on, then yeah, we want you to be a part of us moving forward."