Colton Parayko scored his first two NHL goals to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.
Playing his third-career game, the 22-year-old defenceman broke a 2-2 tie at 4:47 of the second period on a 55-foot wrist shot that eluded Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller.
The goal came on the first man advantage of the game for the Blues (2-1-0), who had been shorthanded four times in the first period.
The St. Alberta, Alta., native, who had family in attendance, then gave the Blues some insurance with 32 seconds left in the second on another long shot from the same distance, this one changing directions slightly on the way and slipping under Hiller’s arm.
It was the third-straight goal for St. Louis, which entered the period down 2-1 but tied it at 2:49 when Troy Brouwer scored on a breakaway. Scottie Upshall also scored for the Blues.
Mason Raymond, Jiri Hudler and David Jones scored for Calgary (1-2-0). The Flames, who fell to 0-2 on home ice, are back in action Friday night in Winnipeg against the Jets.
Calgary was held to just 10 shots through 40 minutes, but got back to within one 1:42 into the third period on a bad turnover deep in his own end by Blues captain David Backes. Michael Frolik quickly fed Jones, who fired his first of the year behind Brian Elliott. Backes broke his stick over the net afterwards in frustration.
The Flames weren’t able to find the equalizer despite a late push in the final couple minutes.
Elliott had 15 saves to improve to 2-0-0 on the season. Hiller turned aside 24 shot in falling to 1-1-0.
The Blues have dominated the Flames in recent years going 7-0-1 in their last eight games. During that span, St. Louis hadn’t trailed in a game to the Flames until Raymond scored 1:14 into the first period on the first shot of the game.
Calgary got three consecutive power plays in the first period but were unable to take advantage and were held to one shot. Upshall was able to reverse the trend and tied it at one at 16:46.
The Flames retook the lead at 17:31, finally converting on a power play. Johnny Gaudreau collected his fifth point of the season by setting up Hudler.
The Blues continue their six-game road trip Thursday night in Edmonton against the Oilers.
Notes: St. Louis lost defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk (lower body) in the second period and Calgary left-winger Lance Bouma (lower body) also hobbled off the ice and never returned in the second. … Referee Brad Meier worked his 1,000th NHL game. He was honoured in a pre-game ceremony. … Scratches for the Flames were RW Josh Jooris and G Joni Ortio. … Rookie Robby Fabbri (concussion) did not dress for St. Louis.
