Coach Ryan Huska says the plan was for Wolf to play this game, and it is not a product of Dan Vladar receiving the hook in Tuesday's start
Calgary Flames fans have been howling for the Wolf.
They are receiving their wish when the Flames play host to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Wolf, the two-time top goaltender in the AHL and last season’s league MVP has been tagged to take the starter’s net as the Flames (10-12-3) look to snap a two-game losing skid.
"That was part of the plan ahead of time, so this was going to be his game,” coach Ryan Huska told the media after the morning skate. “We just stayed with the plan."
Wolf played just under two periods after starter Dan Vladar was pulled in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, and stopped 11 of 13 shots. Wolf, 22, has two career starts under his belt: a 3-1 home win over the San Jose Sharks in last season’s finale and a 4-1 road loss to the Ottawa Senators on Remembrance Day.
“I thought he’s played well. One thing that’s noticeable is his rebound control, he does a really good job of controlling pucks,” Huska said of Wolf. “He’s going to see a shot volume team tonight, so there’s going to be a lot of pucks coming his direction. That’s one of his strengths. We’re looking forward to seeing him do a great job tonight.”
The 2019 seventh-round draft choice has posted a 10-3-0 record along with a 2.50 goals-against average and .920 save percentage with the AHL Wranglers.Vladar, who boasts a 4-3-1 record with a 3.45 goals-against average and .877 save percentage, was pulled after allowing three goals in 21:30 of action on Tuesday, although he was hardly to blame for the result.
Huska said Vladar was made aware of the situation and told he was not being blamed for last outing.
“We did have a small conversation,” Huska said. “After the game, coaches are a bit emotional and sometimes it’s not the best thing to do, but I would always try to grab a guy the next day if there’s something.”
Calgary’s number-one goalie Jacob Markstrom is on the injured list due to a fractured finger suffered in practice on Monday. He is currently listed as being out week-to-week.
The Hurricanes (14-10-1) are coming off a 6-1 throttling at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.