Flames Aim for Crucial Points Against Utah Hockey Club

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Calgary Flames are set to face the Utah Hockey Club Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EDT as they attempt to secure vital points in the Western Conference playoff race. After a thrilling shootout victory against the Colorado Avalanche, the Flames are looking to build momentum during their road trip.

The Flames secured a dramatic come-from-behind victory on Monday, overcoming a two-goal deficit after 40 minutes. Goalkeeper Dan Vladar played a pivotal role, making 28 saves and stopping crucial shots in the shootout. “Believe, believe, believe, that’s all we’ve got,” said Vladar. “We may not have the strongest team on paper, but I think we’ve got the strongest team deep inside our hearts.”

Calgary’s resurgence in the third period saw contributions from their fourth line, with Adam Klapka and Ryan Lomberg finding the net in a mere 32 seconds, setting the stage for their overtime heroics. Coach Ryan Huska praised the team’s resolve, stating, “It was a good overtime… the guys did a good job. Sharan with a nice goal in the shootout, and Vladdy made the saves we needed.”

Tonight’s matchup holds significant implications for both teams. The Flames (35-26-12) currently sit five points behind the St. Louis Blues for the second Wild Card spot, with Calgary holding two games in hand. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club (33-29-12), despite snapping a three-game losing streak with a win over Chicago, is nine points shy of the final playoff berth.

Utah will be seeking to capitalize on their home advantage after defeating the Blackhawks 5-2, with Alex Kerfoot leading the offense with a goal and two assists. Coach Andre Tourigny noted, “We created good traffic in front of their net and got some dirty goals,” emphasizing the importance of offensive pressure.

The Flames and Utah have faced off twice this season, with the Hockey Club winning both encounters — 5-1 and 5-3. Calgary aims to break this trend and salvage a win against a team that has proven challenging.

In addition to their previous losses, both teams’ playoff positions add extra pressure to tonight’s contest. The Flames are one point ahead of the Vancouver Canucks and three points up on Utah, making each point crucial. “We have to turn the page quickly after a game like last night,” said Flames’ captain Mikael Backlund. “We’ve got to find a way to get two points in our next game.”

As the playoff race intensifies, both teams will be looking for standout performances from key players. For the Flames, Adam Klapka will aim to build on his strong performance from Monday, while Logan Cooley of Utah is poised for his 100th career point. “I’m just trying to keep the momentum going,” said Cooley.

With stakes high and both teams in desperate need of points, fans can expect an exciting matchup at Delta Center. The Flames hope to emerge victorious and inch closer to playoff contention, while Utah seeks to establish their home ice advantage.