Vladar makes 25 saves in win; Hill stops 32 for Vegas, which has lost 4 of 5
CALGARY …
On Monday, the Calgary Flames secured a 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at Scotiabank Saddledome, with MacKenzie Weegar scoring the winning goal with just five seconds left in overtime.
Leading a solo rush up the ice, Weegar initiated the play from behind his own blue line. He advanced into the offensive zone and aimed a shot blocker side on Adin Hill. The goal occurred during a 4-on-4 situation as a result of an unsuccessful Calgary power play at the beginning of overtime.
Weegar has five goals in 22 games this season. He had four in 81 games in 2022-23.
“I had nothing left,” Weegar stated. “There probably wasn’t any backcheck. I gave it my all, spotted an opening, raced up the ice as fast as possible, and that’s how my year has been unfolding.”
A.J. Greer also scored for the Flames (9-10-3), who have won two of three.
“I believed tonight was more about us,” Weegar expressed. “It’s been leaning that way for us this year. Of course, you aim to give your best every night. While there’s talk about this team being the reigning champs, I think [Dan Vladar] made significant contributions and came through for us on several occasions.”
After Jacob Markstrom was ruled out late due to the flu, Dan Vladar made 25 saves. In preparation for the game, Calgary signed goalie Dustin Nickel to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as a backup for Vladar.
“When I first got in, I thought it was a joke, until the national anthems,” Vladar remarked. “After that, I was just aiming to give our team a chance to win, like I try to do every single game. Clearly, it turned out to be my best game of the season.”
William Karlsson netted a goal, and Hill recorded 32 saves for the Golden Knights (14-5-3). They have lost four of their last five games (1-2-2) and have scored two or fewer goals in four consecutive matches.
Vegas forward Nicolas Roy said, “We’re not at our best, but we’re not at our worst either. It just feels like we’re not finding ways to win right now. Every team in this league goes through tough times, and we’re in one at the moment. We’re a strong team. We managed to win in the past. We just need to capitalize on our chances, bury one when we get the opportunity, and secure those wins, for sure.”
Karlsson put Vegas ahead 1-0 at 13:53 of the first period with a power-play goal, scoring into an open net on a rebound in the left circle.
Vladar kept it a one-goal game at 4:36 of the second period when he fully extended his left pad to make a toe save on Roy during a 2-on-1.
Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb said, “Keep coming, stay positive. Chances are on the way. Just bear down, and they’ll go in. We know how it works. We just have to keep grinding away.”
Greer tied it 1-1 at 2:31 of the third period. Nazem Kardi’s shot deflected off two Vegas defenders and drop into the slot for Greer, who shot over Hill’s glove.
Vladar maintained a tie game by using his right arm to make a save on Ivan Barbashev’s breakaway attempt at 11:37 and making a glove save on William Carrier’s shot from the slot at 13:55.
Flames coach Ryan Huska said, “It’s not an easy thing. He found out just before my meeting at 5:30. Getting that extra work this morning, which isn’t easy for goaltenders, and finding out late, he didn’t really have a chance to prepare. He did an amazing job. This was by far his best game of the year for us, and there were some key moments in the game where it could’ve gone the other way off of some turnovers, and he made some big saves for us. He was most definitely the first star in my books tonight.”
NOTES!
At 12:00 of the third period, Flames defenseman Chris Tanev exited the game after receiving a shot to the face from Karlsson. There was no postgame update. Calgary forward Connor Zary notched the secondary assist on Greer’s goal, marking his 10th point (three goals, seven assists) in 12 games this season. In the past 30 years, only one Flames player achieved their first 10 NHL points in fewer games: Sean Monahan (11 games in 2013-14).
