Jets 4, Flames 3 (SO): A Prairie Tug-of-War That Went the Distance

Some games feel like they tell you something about a team. This one told you something about both of them. From the Jets’ side, it looked like a night where they finally remembered how to breathe after a tough road swing. They weren’t perfect — far from it — but they were stubborn. Every odd bounce Calgary threw at them, every deflection that found its way past Hellebuyck, Winnipeg seemed to answer with one more push. In the end, the Jets took home the win by a score of 4-3.

When you’ve been grinding through a trip that hasn’t gone your way, sometimes the best you can do is lean into your structure, trust your goalie, and hope one of your skilled guys pulls something out of the air when it matters. And that’s what Gabriel Vilardi did in the shootout: a little flash, a little nerve, and the Jets flew home with a win they badly needed.

The Flames’ Season Has Been Honest, But Unsuccessful

On the Flames’ side, this was the kind of night that has defined their season: plenty of work, plenty of honest effort, and just enough self-inflicted pain to make it hurt in the end. Calgary battled; they really played hard. They answered Winnipeg’s goals quickly, leaned into their shot volume, and kept digging even when the building started to sag.

Matt Coronato’s late power-play marker should’ve been the emotional lift they needed to finish the job. And yet, when the dust settled, the same familiar story played out. The Flames came close but not quite far enough. It’s not a lack of how hard they played; if anything, the level of compete is all they have right now. But you can feel how heavy the season has become for them — everything looks like it has to be earned twice.

Three Key Points (Shared Between Both Teams)

Key Point One: Resilience Defined the Night for Both Teams. Winnipeg needed to steady itself after a bumpy trip; Calgary needed something to build on after a tough stretch. Both teams showed real backbone. But only one team could win.

Key Point Two: Weird Bounces Ruled the Game. Every goal felt like it changed shape on the way in — deflections, redirects, broken plays. It was a night where “puck luck” was practically the main character of the story.

Key Point Three: Special Teams Steered the Ending. Cole Perfetti’s power-play marker steadied the Jets; Coronato’s late one saved Calgary a point. When both teams are grinding, the man-advantage becomes the separator.

Final Comment From the Jets’ Perspective

The Jets didn’t solve every problem, but they reminded themselves that they can close out a tight game. On a long trip, sometimes that’s the victory that matters most.

Final Comment From the Flames’ Perspective

The Flames fought hard enough to deserve something from the night. They got a single point, but there’s still that nagging feeling that they’re always one play short.