Flames 3, Stars 2 (SO): Calgary Hangs On, Finds a Bit of Belief
Some nights, you can almost feel a team talking itself into being better, and that was the Calgary Flames in this one. The Flames didn’t come flying out of the gate, but they hung around, worked the walls, and slowly gained a foothold in the game. Matt Coronato’s been on a little heater lately, and his goal wasn’t fancy so much as stubborn. He’s turning into the kind of player who has finally realized that playing in the NHL doesn’t scare him anymore.
Even when he took that ugly hit later in the game and left for repairs, it didn’t rattle anyone on the bench. The Flames could be forging a bit of steel. Last night’s game looked like they’d finally remembered what it feels like to push back instead of waiting for the other team to take over.
Devin Cooley Was the Real Heartbeat of the Flames’ Win
The real heartbeat, though, was Devin Cooley. He’s not one of those goalies who fills the room with mystique. He just plays. Makes his saves, shakes off the ones he doesn’t, and keeps the whole thing moving. Two straight strong outings, 28 saves in this one, and he looked like he enjoyed every second of it.
By the time Nazem Kadri tucked in the shootout winner and Cooley shut the door on Roope Hintz, it felt like a night the Flames hadn’t enjoyed in a while. The team effort, top to bottom, was built more on persistence than on flash. Winning’s not a habit yet in Calgary, but you could sense the room realizing it doesn’t have to be a surprise either. Perhaps what the team needs is just a bit of consistency and a belief that showing up every shift still counts for something.
Three Key Points from the Flames’ Perspective
Key Point 1. Matt Coronato keeps rising. For Coronato, it’s now four straight games with a goal. Even better, last night’s goal came from pure determination. The youngster looks more settled, more confident, and far more involved.
Key Point 2. Devin Cooley steadies the Flames’ ship. He didn’t just make 28 saves; he brought calm. For a team that’s been far too fragile, having a goalie who looks unfazed helps everyone breathe a little easier.
Key Point 3. The Flames’ special teams actually mattered. The power-play potted two goals—one from Coronato, one from Joel Farabee. Both gave Calgary a real foothold. When the man advantage isn’t a black hole, everything else gets lighter.
Final Thought About the Flames
Last night was only one win, but it felt like a reminder. Calgary doesn’t need a roster overhaul to be competitive. They need more nights where everyone rows in the same direction.