The Calgary Flames ended their season with a thrilling 5-4 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights, despite missing the playoffs. Frost's shootout goal secured the victory, while the Golden Knights, resting key players, look ahead to the playoffs.
Calgary's Season Ends in a Shootout Heartbreaker
So, the Calgary Flames' season ended Tuesday night. And let me tell you, it wasn't quiet. It was a 5-4 shootout loss against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Pacific Division champs. A thrilling finish, sure, but a heartbreaking one considering it sealed their third straight playoff miss. Honestly, who saw *that* coming? The whole game was a rollercoaster, a crazy back-and-forth that'll be talked about for a while – bittersweet, to say the least.
A Wild First Period
Vegas, resting some key players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, still dominated early. Pavel Dorofeyev, Nicolas Roy, and Tomas Hertl all found the back of the net, giving Vegas a commanding 3-1 lead after the first period. It felt like it was all over, you know? But then the Flames, they’re scrappy bunch, and they weren't about to go down without a fight.
The Flames' Furious Comeback
Nazem Kadri, scoring his 33rd goal of the season (a career high!), sparked an incredible comeback. Mikael Backlund and Adam Klapka followed suit, giving Calgary a 4-3 lead. We were all on the edge of our seats! But then, wouldn't you know it, Brandon Saad tied it up, sending the game to overtime. And then, the shootout.
Wolf's Wall and Frost's Redemption
Dustin Wolf, the Flames' rookie goalie, was an absolute beast. Seriously, the guy was incredible, stopping 38 shots through regulation and overtime. He kept them in it until the very end. His performance alone made the game memorable. And then, after a 25-game goal drought, Morgan Frost stepped up. He scored in regulation and then, *bam*, the shootout winner. Talk about a comeback story! It was a perfect, picture-perfect ending for Frost, considering the situation. The resilience shown by the team despite the playoff elimination (which was already confirmed before the third period, incidentally) was something to behold.
Vegas Looks Ahead to the Playoffs
Despite the loss, the Golden Knights looked strong. Even with their top players resting, they showed serious depth. They're confident heading into the playoffs, where they'll face the Minnesota Wild – a team they dominated during the regular season. Brandon Saad's three-point night only added to their playoff optimism.
The Future
For the Flames, it's a mix of emotions. The game was a thrilling showcase of their offensive firepower and the potential of guys like Frost and Wolf. Missing the playoffs stinks, no doubt about it. But that late-season surge? It gives you hope for next year. As for the Golden Knights? They're looking like a serious contender. We’ll see how far they go. The playoffs are a whole different beast, but they have the momentum now.
FAQ
The winning goal was scored by Frost in the shootout. This dramatic goal secured a 5-4 victory for the Flames in their final game of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The provided text doesn't specify Elias Lindholm's role. More detailed game reports would be needed to determine his level of contribution to the Flames' victory.
The Golden Knights were likely resting key players as they were already secured a playoff spot and were preparing for the more important playoff games ahead. The game against Calgary was a season finale without playoff implications for Vegas.
The final score was 5-4, Calgary Flames winning in a shootout after a thrilling back-and-forth game. This victory capped off their regular season.
This game marked the end of the regular season for the Calgary Flames. While they missed the playoffs, the shootout victory provided a positive ending to their season. It allowed them to end on a high note despite playoff elimination.
