Kuzmenko nets OT winner as Flames come back to help goaltender Wolf earn 3-2 victory
Ever wonder whether a Wolf could survive a shiver of Sharks? Dustin Wolf answered that question on Tuesday night, outlasting an early offensive frenzy to help the Calgary Flames earn a comeback 3-2 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks.
It was the Flames goaltender’s first road win of his young NHL career, and was even more special because it was also Wolf’s first start in his ‘hometown’.
The 22-year-old had plenty of family and friends watching in San Jose because he grew up about a half-hour away in Gilroy, Calif., and grew up as a Sharks fan.
Wolf talked about the obvious change in allegiances before the game.
“That was what the house consisted of — Sharks memorabilia,” Wolf told reporters when asked about his childhood cheering. “It eventually converted and now it’s all red. It’ll be special to be back.
“I’ve played (at the SAP Center) a couple times with (the AHL’s Stockton Heat), and a couple years prior, and obviously watched a ton of games here growing up. It’s pretty special to be in this environment now and get this opportunity.”
Things didn’t get off to a great start for Wolf or the Flames as they gave up the first two goals to the Sharks. William Eklund scored first at 7:22 of the opening period, and Jacob MacDonald padded it a couple of minutes into the second.
The Flames looked like a team accepting its fate, weary from the ups and downs of a tough season, in the first, but pretty much owned the play from there against the league’s last-place team.
They clawed back with timely saves from Wolf and goals from defenceman Rasmus Andersson and veteran pivot Nazem Kadri. Daniil Miromanov nearly locked up the two points in regulation but hit both posts with one shot late in the third.
The Flames looked determined to give Wolf the win. Although he’s played the Sharks twice previously while suiting up for the Flames — including his NHL debut last season — he’d never done it at the Shark Tank.
He got a little bonus time with OT, and more action during a penalty kill in the final minute and a half than he’d had all through the third period.
The Flames got a powerplay of their own in extra time and made it count, with Andrei Kuzmenko scoring to keep his goal streak going with the overtime winner on the man-advantage.
Wolf told Sportsnet after the game it was a dream come true. It was a great moment for the team during a season in which there haven’t been many things to celebrate.
