Coleman, Sharangovich and Hanifin shine as the Flames ride a four-goal third period to a 6-3 victory
Is it still a surprise when Blake Coleman is having an offensive impact on the game? It should no longer be seen that way.
Coleman’s two-way skills have long been on display, but the winger’s two-goal performance in the 6-3 victory the Calgary Flames claimed over the cellar-dwelling Ottawa Senators on Tuesday has him at the midway point of the season with 17 goals —only five back of his career high set in 2018-19, his second NHL season, while with the New Jersey Devils.
Personal accolades were pushed aside, though, as the Flames used a four-goal third period to earn a much-needed victory and return to .500 (18-18-5).
“We don’t have to look too far to know we let a game get away from us in Chicago,” Coleman said. “Home ice, you’ve got to find ways to win.”
Yegor Sharangovich also scored twice, while Noah Hanifin tallied once in a three-point game and Connor Zary scored once and added an assist in the victory that snapped a two-game losing skid, including the 4-3 defeat in Chicago on Sunday.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 shots for the Flames, who next head out on the road with their fathers and mentors for a two-game trip to Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Now the other takeaways from the clash.
Proud dad moment
Speaking of fathers, be sure to watch the video of Mikael Backlund’s daughter, Tillie, reading the starting lineup to the team on the night he played his 949th game for the Flames, which ties him with Mark Giordano for second spot on the franchise’s all-time list.
“There was a few little water works around our room before the game. I didn’t know if that was the best thing,” Huska said. “Mikael is an emotional guy and I loved it. His daughter did a fantastic job.”
Showing leadership, Backlund passed up on a chance to try for the empty netter by setting up Coleman’s tap-in tally to round out the scoring.
Hanifin’s heroics
Huska was succinct in assessing Noah Hanifin’s performance.
“Might have been the best game I’ve seen him play. He was really good,” he said.
Hanifin scored the game-tying goal in the opening minute of the third period, a smooth top-corner back-hand, and added a pair of assists in the final frame. He also equalled a career-high with a plus-5 rating.
“Three points at the most critical point of the game. He stepped up,” Coleman said before adding a touch of humour. “It was a nice shot-pass, broken stick, to me. We’ve been working on that one for a while, so I’m glad he pulled that one out at the right time.”
Turning-point save
It would be easy to overlook it with the final score, but with the score tied 3-3 early in the third period, Markstrom denied Mathieu Joseph on a breakaway. Five minutes later, Coleman potted the eventual winning goal.
“We probably don’t win without a lot of his big saves, but that one stands out with the tie game and the circumstances we were in,” Coleman said.
QUICK SHIFTS: Nazem Kadri’s second assist is the 600th point of his career … Yan Kuznetsov in his NHL debut had a rough start with the puck banking off his leg and into the net for an own-goal to open the scoring, but he recovered with a solid game … The decision to flip Andrew Mangiapane to the line with Backlund and Coleman and move Jonathan Huberdeau with Elias Lindholm and Sharangovich continues to pay off. Mangiapane has two goals and five assists in six games since that decision, while Huberdeau has netted two goals and four assists in six outings.