Calgary Flames Triumph Over Vancouver Canucks in Overtime NHL Opener

The Calgary Flames emerged victorious against the Vancouver Canucks in a thrilling National Hockey League (NHL) season opener. The game, which took place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on the night of October 9, 2024, concluded with a 6-5 scoreline after an intense overtime period.

Connor Zary proved to be the hero for the Flames, scoring the decisive goal just 1 minute and 33 seconds into overtime. The Flames displayed resilience, coming back from a substantial early deficit. “We showed a lot of character coming back,” head coach Ryan Huska was quoted saying.

Anthony Mantha was instrumental in the Flames’ victory, contributing a goal and an assist. In addition, Rasmus Andersson, Martin Pospisil, MacKenzie Weegar, and Jonathan Huberdeau each found the back of the net for Calgary. The team’s goal was an impressive comeback after trailing the Canucks 3-0 midway through the first period.

Brock Boeser was a standout player for the Vancouver Canucks, scoring two goals. His teammates J.T. Miller, Daniel Sprong, and Conor Garland also contributed with goals. Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs faced a challenging task, successfully stopping 20 shots.

The Canucks initially held a strong lead, being up 4-1 after the first period. However, they allowed the Flames to score four unanswered goals, squandering their early advantage. This lapse in defense was noted by the team’s coach, who emphasized the need for tighter defensive plays in future games.

For the Flames, goaltender Dan Vladar had a rocky start, conceding four goals on 15 shots in the first period. Nevertheless, he rebounded to make 20 saves overall, securing the win for Calgary.

The game attracted a large number of hockey enthusiasts, with Rogers Arena accommodating approximately 18,850 attendees. This turnout highlighted fans’ eagerness for the new NHL season.