In Calgary, Alberta, the Colorado Avalanche emerged victorious over the Calgary Flames with a score of 4-2 on Friday night, thanks to an impressive performance by Parker Kelly, who netted two goals. Ryan Lindgren and Valeri Nichushkin also found the back of the net for Colorado, which has accumulated points in eight consecutive games, holding a record of 7-0-1. This win brought the Avalanche to within three points of overtaking the Dallas Stars for the second spot in the Central Division. Goalie Scott Wedgewood contributed by stopping 22 shots.
For the Calgary Flames, Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau were the goal scorers in a game that marked their first regulation loss in six outings, moving them to a 2-1-3 run. The Flames are currently locked in a tie with Vancouver for the second wild card position in the Western Conference. Calgary’s goaltender, Dustin Wolf, made 24 saves on the night.
The game’s scoring opened with Lindgren’s goal, coming with just under seven minutes to play in the first period. Kelly then doubled the advantage late in the second period. Early in the third, Coleman snapped a long dry spell, putting the Flames on the scoreboard with a goal at 3:08. However, just under three minutes later, Kelly struck again to increase Colorado’s lead to 3-1, marking his second career game with multiple goals.
Huberdeau kept Calgary’s hopes alive with a power-play goal, bringing the team back within striking distance late in the third. But the Flames’ rally was thwarted when Nichushkin sealed the Avalanche victory with an empty-net goal, ensuring a two-goal margin with under two minutes to play.
In terms of takeaways, Ryan Lindgren ended a 28-game streak without a goal, while Parker Kelly had also been in a scoring drought, not having scored in his past 20 games. On the Flames’ side, an unfortunate absence was that of captain Mikael Backlund, who missed the match due to an upper-body injury, ending his remarkable 328-game streak of consecutive appearances.
A significant moment in the match came after Coleman scored his first goal in 15 games, narrowing the gap and giving the Flames substantial momentum. They nearly netted an equalizer on several attempts before Kelly restored the Avalanche’s two-goal lead, capitalizing on a turnover behind Calgary’s net.
Statistically, the Avalanche have proven formidable in the final period, leading the NHL with 92 goals scored in third periods this season.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche are set to host a game against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Flames will be hitting the road to start a four-game trip, beginning with a visit to Toronto on Monday.
