The Calgary Flames dropped a 3-1 decision to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary iced a young lineup, with several regulars out including Matt Coronato and Ryan Strome. Rory Kerins drew in after being recalled earlier in the day from the AHL, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/rory-kerins-recalled-joins-flames-lineup-against-colorado]while Dustin Wolf got the start in goal. Former Flame Nazem Kadri was out of the Avalanche lineup due to injury. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1e08f418-0355-4945-ab33-a4dcd3da7935.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The opening period was low on chances, with Colorado holding a 10-6 edge in shots but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Calgary broke through in the second period at 7:22. Mikael Backlund fired a point shot that Blake Coleman redirected while falling, lifting the puck over Mackenzie Blackwood for his 20th goal of the season to make it 1-0. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3e602fb7-a4d2-46f5-9b0c-cdeb3e7e3993.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Avalanche responded at 11:25. Cale Makar chased down a dump-in and set up Artturi Lehkonen with a quick pass at the side of the net. Lehkonen finished the play to tie the game 1-1. Colorado pulled ahead late in the final frame. Gabriel Landeskog won a faceoff back to Brett Kulak, whose shot was tipped in front by Landeskog and slipped past Wolf for the 2-1 lead. Makar picked up his second assist of the night on the play. MacKinnon added an empty-net goal in the dying seconds to make it 3-1. Martin Necas reached the 100-point plateau on the play. Makar picked up his third assist of the game. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/95ebeff4-8c78-4f24-ae0c-421c23b6b314.jpeg] © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images THREE TAKEAWAYS Wolf keeps Flames in it Wolf turned aside 36 shots and was a key reason the game stayed close, making several high-danger saves, including a breakaway stop on Makar. Suniev makes an impact Aydar Suniev was noticeable throughout the game, recording four shots on net, disrupting plays, forcing turnovers, and generating a multiple quality scoring chances. Kadri acknowledged in return Though he didn’t play, Kadri received a standing ovation and video tribute during the first period in his return to the Saddledome following his trade from Calgary. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-trade-deadline-analysis-early-returns-tell-the-story]
