Hockey

Flames Ignite Victory, Remain Unbeaten with Triumph over Blackhawks

Calgary Flames
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Calgary Flames Continue Winning Streak with 3-1 Triumph over Chicago Blackhawks

Matt Coronato’s double strike and Dustin Wolf’s 31 impressive saves helped the Calgary Flames maintain their winning streak, pulling off a 3-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday evening. Andrei Kuzmenko also made his mark, netting his first season goal during a power play, contributing to Calgary’s victory.

Flames Match Franchise’s Best Start

With this latest win, the Flames stand undefeated at 4-0, matching the franchise’s record start of four straight victories, a feat previously achieved in the 2009-10 and 1993-94 seasons. On the other side, the Blackhawks ended their season-opening four-game road trip with a 1-2-1 record. Netminder Petr Mrazek made 23 saves for Chicago.

Coronato’s Stellar Performance

Coronato’s second goal was a decisive empty-netter, scored with just 39 seconds left on the clock.

Game Highlights

Blackhawks’ Missed Opportunities

The Blackhawks had multiple opportunities to break the 1-1 deadlock, especially during the second period’s initial phase, where they outshot the Flames 7-1. However, they were unable to crack the Flames’ defense, specifically goaltender Wolf. He made several significant saves, including thwarting Joey Anderson’s short-handed breakaway and blocking Teuvo Teravainen’s one-timer.

Flames’ Surprise Offensive Line

Calgary’s fourth line served as an unexpected source of offense. Justin Kirkland, stepping in for Kevin Rooney (upper body), scored his first NHL goal on Saturday and followed up with his first NHL assist on Coronato’s initial goal. Ryan Lomberg played a crucial role on the left side.

Defining Moment

With Connor Bedard in the penalty box for slashing that caught Wolf under his mask, the Flames seized the opportunity to solidify their lead. Kuzmenko skillfully deflected Jonathan Huberdeau’s point shot mid-air, scoring at 6-on-4 with a delayed penalty on Foligno.

Key Stats

Connor Zary, with an assist on Kuzmenko’s goal, has racked up five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and remains the only Flames player to have scored in all four games. Likewise, Rasmus Andersson, with an assist, tops all NHL defensemen with six points (2 goals, 4 assists).

What’s Next?

The Blackhawks will return home to host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, while the Flames will face off against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.

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