CALGARY — The story heading into the game was that Rasmus Andersson was playing.
The buzz as patrons walked out revolved around The Attempt.
With the Flames up 4-1 and the New York Islanders’ goalie pulled, Dustin Wolf decided to take a shot at the empty net.
Lofting it high, and what looked like on target, the crowd roared as the Flames netminder lifted his hands to his head in anticipation. Alas, he was not able to add his name to the list of 17 NHL goalies who’ve found the twine, as it bounced left and wound up rolling a few feet wide.
“Still zero per cent,” smiled Wolf of a shooting percentage he suggests includes about 10 such attempts over his career.
“I just tried to get it off as quick as I could. I liked the angle I took at it, but just a bad hop. You don't get too many opportunities where they pull their guy with eight minutes to go. We'll try again next time.”
Wolf’s attempt came with just over five minutes left, giving him ample time to try again.
Alas, no opportunities presented themselves.
“Crazy enough, I was just practising (empty netters) a couple days ago when I wasn't playing,” said Wolf, who made 28 saves in a 4-2 win.
“It's a learning opportunity to try to make it land a little nicer next time.”
Famous for pulling the goalie earlier than anyone else in the game, Isles coach Patrick Roy was asked if it was based on analytics, or a gut feeling.
“I don't give a s--- about analytics, to be honest,” said the Hall of Fame goalie.
“I believe that we're going to win the game. I'm not doing this for analytics.”
Coach Ryan Huska said he was okay with the risky move, as the Flames had a three-goal cushion.
“I've told him before, ‘just make sure you make the save if it comes back again,'” said Huska, who pointed out Wolf made a similar attempt earlier this year.
“It would have been neat to see it go in. I know the crowd would have been pretty excited if it would have.”
More notes, quotes and anecdotes from a win that saw Yegor Sharangovich, Adam Klapka, Justin Kirkland and Yan Kuznetsov score:
Kirkland Signature
The most emotional moment came midway through the afternoon when Kirkland buried his first goal in over a year, completing a brilliant two-on-one with his longtime minor-league pal, Ryan Lomberg.
“Yeah, that was long time coming, means a lot obviously,” said Kirkland, whose season was cut short last year by a knee injury, surgery and extensive rehab.
“So, yeah, feels pretty good, that's for sure.”
Recalled last month after a conditioning stint in the minors, the fourth-line journeyman has been in and out of the lineup, making his roof job over David Rittich all the more special as it came alongside Lomberg, who played witness, photographer, best man and bridesmaid at Kirkland’s impromptu wedding years back.
“I bought him dinner on this last road trip, so I think he owed me that one,” said Kirkland, whose first of the season put the Flames up 3-0 and was followed by a lengthy hug and raucous celly with Lomberg.
“It’s cool, man. We've known each other for a long time, so I appreciate everything he's done for me over the last couple years, and definitely enjoy playing with him.”
Kids' Day
Training-camp revelation, Matvei Gridin, was recalled from the minors Saturday morning, and wound up playing 14:17 alongside Nazem Kadri and Connor Zary. The 19-year-old had a team-high three hits, a shot on goal and a painful-looking blocked shot on an Adam Pelech blast that was well-received on the bench.
“Guys love it,” he smiled after the game.
“They said I have to do it for the first three years.”
While picking up 10 goals and 28 points in 32 games to earn AHL all-star recognition, the Flames’ first-round pick in 2024 said he worked hardest on improving his play away from the puck.
“I played good today, and we won — that's most important,” said Gridin, never short on confidence.
“It feels way better (to return to the NHL) right now, and way more comfortable around the guys. Feels awesome.”
Gridin scored in his NHL debut against Edmonton, and played five NHL games before the club decided he would benefit from more ice time with the Wranglers to start his first season as a pro.
“He's been playing well since he's returned from his injury, and I would say he’s our most offensive forward down there,” said Huska of the rationale behind his call-up.
“We need a guy to play with some offensive forwards to try to help generate with them a little bit, because he has that ability. I thought after his first couple of shifts he settled in. There was a stretch in the second period where the line started to make some plays, and he was right in the middle of those plays. So hopefully he's going to be able to continue to feel better about his game and find a little chemistry with that line as well.”
William Stromgren was sent down to make room for Gridin.
Parekh back in action
Zayne Parekh practised with the Wranglers Saturday and is poised to make his AHL debut Sunday as part of a conditioning stint that could see him play up to five times over two weeks.
“The goal is to just get back up to speed again,” explained Huska of the move that comes after Parekh was finally cleared of an upper-body injury suffered at the world juniors.
“We made sure his health was where it needed to be. Now he's at a point where he's going to get an opportunity to play a lot, and then he'll come back here ready to go.”
Andersson Watch continues
Despite endless speculation Andersson will be dealt any day now, the 29-year-old defenceman played almost 26 minutes, had an assist and was named third star by Pat Steinberg, giving him and the crowd a chance to show support and give thanks.
“I don't know how they do it sometimes, because there is a lot of noise,” said Huska of Andersson’s ability to continue playing so well despite the uncertainty.
“I don't think he shuts off his social media, so I think he knows what's going on and all the conversations that are out there about him. But I think it says a ton about his mental fortitude, or whatever you want to call it, that he's able to just go and play and not worry about the things that he has no control of. And I think that's something that most players should aspire to be like.”
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