Flames edge Penguins in shootout victory on October 22

On October 22, 2024, the Calgary Flames faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Calgary, Alberta, in a thrilling matchup that ended in a dramatic shootout. The game was tightly contested, showcasing a back-and-forth battle where both teams displayed their offensive prowess. Calgary got off to a hot start, but Pittsburgh quickly adjusted and began dictating play after an initial barrage of shots against Flames’ goaltender Dustin Wolf. Justin Kirkland emerged as the hero for the Flames, scoring the critical goal in the sixth round of the shootout. Earlier in the game, Calgary received goals from Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, and MacKenzie Weegar. Andersson not only contributed with a goal but also led the Flames in scoring with eight points for the season. Pittsburgh sought a strong performance to kick off their four-game road trip in Western Canada, with goals from Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Noel Acciari. However, their efforts to secure a win ultimately fell short in the shootout. The penalty taken by Flames’ player Martin Pospisil led to a power-play goal for Rust that tied the game, demonstrating how critical special teams can be in such close contests. This victory improved the Flames’ record to 11 points in their first six games, marking the best start in franchise history despite a blemish from a recent overtime loss. The Penguins will look to rebound as they visit the Edmonton Oilers in their upcoming game, while the Flames prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes.