Montreal Canadiens Edge Calgary Flames 2-1 in Overtime Drama

Post by : Mara Rahim

Mike Matheson clinched the game just one minute into overtime, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 triumph against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday night. Matheson capitalized on a feed from rookie Ivan Demidov, helping Montreal to their second consecutive win and sixth victory from their last seven outings.

After the game, Matheson credited the dynamic efforts of teammates Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson for facilitating the critical play in overtime. Their aggressive positioning in the Flames’ zone during the initial shift was pivotal in creating the scoring chance, allowing the Canadiens to secure the game-winning moments later. “It was an excellent setup by ‘Demi’; I just had to finish it off,” Matheson shared.

Zack Bolduc had opened the scoring for Montreal early in the game, converting a power-play opportunity at 17:09 of the first period. Bolduc received a precise pass from Suzuki in the slot, firing the puck past Flames goalie Dustin Wolf to give his team an early advantage. Meanwhile, goalie Jakub Dobes was impressive with 36 saves, limiting Calgary’s scoring opportunities despite the team's aggressive offense.

The Flames managed to level the match in the third period when Adam Klapka netted a goal at 5:56. Klapka intercepted the puck from Canadiens defender Noah Dobson in the offensive zone and swiftly shot past Dobes, leveling the score at 1-1. On the other end, Wolf recorded 26 saves for the Flames, who are now struggling, with a record of 0-6-1 in their last seven outings.

After the match, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis praised his team's solid execution in overtime. “Winning in overtime is always gratifying. The guys are strategic, and we scored due to our adjustments,” he noted. This victory marked the Canadiens’ third overtime win this season, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure.

Demidov, the rookie who provided the assist for the winning goal, now boasts eight points in his first ten NHL games. He is the first Canadiens player to achieve this since Andrew Cassels in the 1989-90 season. Dobes, who had a stellar 5-0-0 start last season, continues his impressive run with a 4-0-0 record, making him the second rookie goalie in NHL history to achieve two separate 4-0-0 starts, following Wayne Thomas.

Nick Suzuki extended his point streak to seven games with an assist on Bolduc’s goal. With one goal and ten assists during this stretch, Suzuki has been a crucial playmaker for Montreal. The contributions of Caufield and Hutson have also bolstered their defensive and offensive performances, particularly in crucial moments of the game.

This win sends a strong message regarding the Canadiens’ early season momentum and their prowess in high-pressure situations. On the contrary, the Flames will seek to bounce back from this recent defeat and regain their earlier success. Both teams exhibited tenacity, but it was Montreal’s blend of skilled forwards and steadfast goalkeeping that ultimately clinched the overtime victory.