Goalie Smith shuts door on former team
Smith shuts door on his former Coyotes teammates at other end of rink
If the coach has anything to say about it, Mark Jankowski may find himself a permanent spot in the Calgary Flames dressing room.
But the 23-year-old centreman might not need an apartment just yet.
“We like to keep him hungry, so we’re going to let him stay at the hotel for a while,” Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan deadpanned following Thursday’s 3-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
After (another) two-goal performance — two incredible highlight reel markers that gave the home side its 14th victory of the 2017-18 campaign — the answer couldn’t be more clear.
Even the boss couldn’t keep a straight face.
“I can tell you right now,” Gulutzan said. “I’ve watched enough young players, I don’t see him going anywhere. I think he’ll be here for a while.”
With the first line shooting blanks on this night — Coyotes netminder Scott Wedgewood made 41 saves in a spectacular road game, 12 of them on Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland — Jankowski came to work.
The five-year project of the Flames, the 21st overall pick of the 2012 draft and a hotel-dweller since he was recalled from the Stockton Heat on Oct. 23, cemented his place in Calgary’s lineup with the goals, a game-leading six shots on net and 15:23 of ice time.
He was 3-for-11 in the faceoff circle but, hey, it’s a tough league. Since his arrival, he’s fit right in. “I’m not exactly sure what the rule is,” said the ultra-polite rookie who now has five goals and six points in 17 games.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day now and not getting complacent. I’m trying to get better every day.”
Helping out his cause against the Coyotes was Jaromir Jagr, who set up Jankowski perfectly for his first marker — the opening strike of the game, 2:48 into the second period.
Jagr, working at the top of the circle, fed Jankowski, who was in tight to Wedgwood’s crease.
Caroming his own rebound, he rapped the puck between his legs and through a small space between Wedgewood’s skate and the post.
His second goal was off a spirited drive to the front of the net in the third period after a faceoff at the 12:11 mark.
“The first one was kind of nice, it was a little Monny-ish in Ottawa, going between the legs,” Gulutzan said. “The skill, the patience — but you know what has impressed me about that young man is just his 200-foot game and his responsibility within the game, managing the game within the game. He’s done that really well … when you fulfil a need … now you’re starting to see some chemistry build in the third line.”
It should be noted their other linemate, Sam Bennett, had an excellent night, too, especially considering he took a puck to the face Tuesday and required nine stitches in his forehead.
He picked up assists on both of Jankowski’s goals. Flames netminder Mike Smith, playing against his old team for the first time in the regular season as a member of the Calgary Flames, posted his second shutout of the season, stopping 28 shots.
Calgary improved to 14-10-1, while the Coyotes dropped to a lowly 6-18-4.
Not bad for a rebound performance after Tuesday’s 4-1 turnover-filled loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“The first period was a little busy, but not a whole lot of tough chances,” Smith said. “It was a solid effort from our group. We blocked a ton of shots and they did a lot of good things in front of me. We want to build on that.”
Mikael Backlund potted one past the 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., at the 10-minute mark, finishing on a fantastic play behind the net by Matthew Tkachuk, who was battling with Alex Goligoski. Nearly two minutes later, Jankowski scored his second to give the Flames a three-goal cushion.
The Flames’ best chance of the opening frame was when Travis Hamonic hit the post — a shot that nearly fooled the in-house Enmax flame operators who prematurely lit the lamp before Calgary did.
Calgary’s lone penalty kill of the first period — Troy Brouwer, off for cross-checking — limited the Coyotes to one shot. The PK was perfect — going 2-for-2.
UP NEXT? The Edmonton Oilers on Saturday (8p.m., CBC, Sportsnet 960 The Fan) as the teams square off for the first time since a 3-0 Flames loss to open the season.