Connor Zary’s game-winning goal in overtime completed an incredible comeback for the Calgary Flames on Opening Night.
Connor Zary couldn’t have asked for a more memorable start to his season. The young forward scored a stunning overtime winner to complete the Calgary Flames’ comeback in a thrilling 6-5 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. It was the Flames’ first three-goal comeback win since October 31, 2019, and their first such feat on Opening Night since 1985.
After being down 4-1, the Flames rallied with four unanswered goals in the third period, leaving Canucks fans -- who not much earlier cheered when JT Miller injured Kevin Rooney -- in shock. That hit rallied the Flames, and Zary’s solo effort in overtime sealed the comeback, capping off a rollercoaster night for Calgary.
“We’re going to get knocked down, but we’re always going to keep coming back,” Zary told Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy post-game. Perhaps he meant both figuratively and literally. “That’s going to be our mentality all year. No quit, keep going.”
While Zary’s goal stole the spotlight, Anthony Mantha’s impact cannot be overlooked. The newly acquired forward sparked Calgary’s resurgence by recording a Gordie Howe hat trick—scoring, assisting, and fighting in a single game. His late first-period scrap seemed to inject life into a Flames team that looked overwhelmed early on.
“It’s only one game, but it’s something to build on for sure,” Zary added. His words reflect what the mantra for the Flames is going to have to be this season. A team that many see as non-contenders, Zary and the rest of the roster will have to play the role of "comeback kids" in several games. It seems they're ready to embrace that role.
If Zary's overtime goal and the Flames win was any indication of what's to come, Calgary is ready to prove the doubters wrong. "We feed off people talking negative about our team," Zary said.
With more games like that or highlight-reel goals like the one Zary scored, people won't be speaking negatively for much longer.