Flames Fall In Minnesota

SAINT PAUL — The Minnesota Wild scored two first-period goals en route to a 4-1 win over the Flames Thursday at Grand Casino Arena.

Morgan Frost counted the lone Calgary marker on a third-period rush, as Wild starter Jonas Gustavsson turned aside 29 of the 30 shots that came his way on a night the Flames held the high-powered Minnesota offence to eight shots through the opening 40 minutes, and only three high-danger chances at 5-on-5.

Danila Yurov opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period, putting the Wild ahead after countryman Vladimir Tarasenko spotted him in the left circle with a cross-zone, backhand pass.

Eight minutes later, Vinnie Hinostroza extended the Minnesota advantage, gloving down an airmail delivery from defenceman Jake Middleton before skating down the right wing and lifting the puck over Flames starter Devin Cooley's shoulder.

But Calgary outshot the Wild 13-3 in the first, and 21-8 through 40 minutes, coming close in the opening frame on a rebound opportunity in tight by Jonathan Huberdeau and a one-timer from Matt Coronato late in the first.

Mikael Backlund had the Flames' best chance of period two, firing a one-timer of his own from the right circle, but fellow Swede Gustavsson was equal to the task in the Minnesota crease.

Frost got one back for Calgary just before the six-minute mark of the third period. Huberdeau outletted the puck to him to create an odd-man rush, then Frost played keeper as he strode down the left wing into the Wild zone, snapping the puck past Gustavsson's glove hand for his 11th goal of the season.

Quinn Hughes took a penalty moments later, giving the Flames their third powerplay of the night, but Matvei Gridin's slot shot - and potential equalizer - went just high of the Minnesota net.

At the other ned of the rink, Cooley made a series of early stops in period three, including on a Hughes breakaway that saw the Wild defender try the five-hole, only for the Calgary 'keeper to take any space away by closing his pads.

Matt Boldy added insurance for the hosts on a late powerplay before Kirill Kaprizov iced it with an empty-netter.

The Lineup:

FORWARDS

Connor Zary - Nazem Kadri - Martin Pospisil

Yegor Sharangovich - Mikael Backlund - Matt Coronato

Jonathan Huberdeau - Morgan Frost - Matvei Gridin

Joel Farabee - Justin Kirkland - Adam Klapka

DEFENCE

Yan Kuznetsov - MacKenzie Weegar

Kevin Bahl - Zach Whitecloud

Joel Hanley - Hunter Brzustewicz

GOALTENDERS

Devin Cooley - starter

Dustin Wolf

They Said It:

The Numbers Game:

Shots: CGY 30, MIN 22

Powerplay: CGY 0-3, MIN 1-2

Faceoffs: CGY 49.2%, MIN 50.8%

Hits: CGY 16, MIN 11

Blocked Shots: CGY 16, MIN 15

5-on-5 Scoring Chances: CGY 26, MIN 20

5-on-5 High-Danger Scoring Chances: CGY 6, MIN 3

Up Next:

Calgary has three games remaining before the Olympic break, all on home ice, beginning with a Saturday matinee versus the Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. MT. GET TICKETS