Flames Goaltender Snaps Six-Game Losing Streak Against All Odds

Dan Vladar gets a heartwarming win in Seattle to help Calgary Flames overcome fatigue and snap a coule of losing skids

Dan Vladar had lost his goaltending timeshare back in mid-December. Worse, the Calgary Flames netminder had lost six straight starts dating back to his last win on Dec. 10, 2024. 

A pair of those came in the second half of back-to-back game nights — with Vladar starting every single one of them this season as the last line of defence behind a frequently fatigued lineup. 

So the joy the Flames goalie experienced on Sunday with his first win in almost two months (on the second half of a back-to-back, no less), was right up there as one of the bright moments for one of the team's genuinely loved teammates. 

"On a back-to-back, there’s gonna be some times a little fatigue gets in. They had the momentum a couple times, but then, you know, Vladdy — felt nice for Vladdy — I mean it’s been a while he hasn’t got a win. We’re happy for him," Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau told reporters in Seattle after Vladar's 29-save performance in the 3-2 win.

"He’s playing most of the back-to-backs, the second game, so it’s a tougher position for him. But he’s been playing well; we just couldn’t get a win for him. Tonight we did — that’s the one that we needed a lot."

Head coach Ryan Huska knew his Flames would need strong goaltending after playing on Hockey Night in Calgary on Saturday night before flying to Seattle for the game against the Kraken less than 24 hours later. It didn't help that the team's two newcomers Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee had barely touched down after the blockbuster trade between the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers before the weekend's games. 

Huska told reporters he challenged his backup backstop ahead of the game. The coach was critical of Vladar's last start but there has been wide acknowledgement that Vladar was given tougher starts throughout the first half of the season to allow Wolf to adjust to his first NHL season and take the starter's role when he's ready. 

"We talked a lot early in the year about both our goalies being good for us. Wolfie’s had the bulk of the starts over the last little while but I do feel like Vladdy's been a real pro with it," Huska said. "We challenged him yesterday actually, to make sure that he was the difference for us tonight, and he most definitely was." 

The Flames had a strong first period and scored three times, with Morgan Frost earning his first with the franchise and both Yegor Sharangovich and Huberdeau netting powerplay goals to pad the lead. 

They'd need every one of them as they faded over the next 40 minutes. Then they needed every save they could get from Vladar, who did what was needed to get the win this time. 

"It’s been a while since I won the last time, so maybe it’s in my head a little bit," Vladar said. "I can’t thank enough our group in front of me. They were clearing pucks very well, they were boxing out, it was a privilege to play behind them tonight."