Flames Snap Losing Streak with Win Over Sharks

CALGARY, Alberta — The Calgary Flames ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday. Flames goalie Dustin Wolf made 17 saves to secure his first shutout of the season and fourth in his career.

Blake Coleman scored the opening goal for the Flames at 5:46 of the second period, thanks to a turnover by Sharks defenseman Sam Dickinson. Coleman capitalized on the mistake and sent a high shot past Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov.

<p"We needed a win," Calgary coach Ryan Huska said. "There’s a lot of things we liked about our game… We found a way to get the one goal and the extra one.” Wolf praised his team's effort, stating, “I thought that was a 60-minute effort start to finish.”

Despite being heavily outshot in the first period, with Calgary leading 13-1, the Sharks managed to keep the game close due to Askarov’s impressive performance. He finished with 34 saves but could not prevent his team from suffering their first loss in five games.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky commented, “We were awful tonight. [Askarov] was unbelievable. It shouldn’t have been a 2-0 game.” The Sharks were 6-0-1 in their previous seven games before this loss.

As the game progressed, the Flames maintained their pressure, including a killer penalty kill in the final minutes. Sam Honzek added an empty-net goal with just five seconds left, sealing the 2-0 final score.

With this win, though the Flames sit last in the NHL standings, it gives hope for improvement going forward. They next face off against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, while the Sharks will travel to Seattle for their next matchup.