CALGARY — The Calgary Flames managed to secure a tight 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome on February 23, 2025. This much-needed win was pivotal as the Flames push for playoff positioning late in the season.
Coming off a three-game winless streak, the Flames knew the game against the struggling Sharks was almost a must-win. The Sharks, languishing at the bottom of the standings with just two wins over their last sixteen games, were unable to capitalize on the opportunity to upset Calgary. Flames’ head coach Ryan Huska emphasized the importance of the win, stating, “We found a way to win tonight, but the pace needs to go up.”
Joel Hanley emerged as the star of the night, netting the game-winning goal at 13:26 of the third period. Hanley, who welcomed the birth of his second child just prior to the game, expressed his personal joy, saying, “Baby’s healthy and the team won, so it feels great.” His powerful shot from the blue line, assisted by Nazem Kadri with Jonathan Huberdeau providing excellent screen, ripped past Sharks' goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.
This victory not only relieved the Flames after their recent slump but also kept them within one point of the Vancouver Canucks for the Western Conference’s second wild-card playoff spot. Kadri, who scored his 20th goal of the season earlier in the game, smiled when asked about the team’s ambitions: “Buddy, we were doing scoreboard watching two months ago.” This determination is palpable as the Flames head toward a grueling final stretch of the season.
Kevin Rooney added another goal for the Flames, breaking his drought with his first point since December 10. Early on, Rooney capitalized on a rebound to give Calgary the lead, strengthening the path to victory. Tyler Toffoli, the Sharks' scorer who tied the game momentarily, reflected the competitive nature of this matchup, emphasizing how important all points are as they approach the playoff race.
Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf was instrumental, making 27 saves to secure his 20th win of the season after recent struggles, solidifying his role as the Flames’ mainstay between the pipes. Wolf’s performance was commendable, particularly considering he grew up supporting the Sharks, adding emotional weight to his efforts. “I don’t know what I was doing out there,” Hanley joked about scoring the game-winner during four-on-four play, highlighting the unlikeliness of the situation.
Players were quick to celebrate Hanley’s contribution, recognizing the importance of secondary scoring as they push for playoffs. “We’ve relied heavily on some of the top guys, and for guys like me to step up, we’re going to need it down the stretch,” Hanley remarked, echoing the sentiment of teamwork and resilience.
Despite the victory, there were clear indicators of improvement needed. The Flames' overall execution was “sloppy,” as expressed by Kadri, who added, “When you have unsung heroes step up, it energizes the group and makes us want to win even more for those guys.” This spirit of camaraderie will be tested as they prepare for their upcoming six-game road trip against formidable opponents, starting with the league-leading Washington Capitals.
Looking forward, the Flames will carry the momentum of this victory but will need to translate it successfully on the road. The coaching staff already had their eyes set on boosting the team’s pace and improving their game away from home. Huska stated, “We found a way to win tonight, but the pace at which we played has to go way up from what we saw tonight.”
With the flames ignited following this hard-fought victory, the team will board their plane ripe with confidence as they aim to continue building on their success and secure more points as the season races to its conclusion.