Players work overtime to beat the Avalanche
Earlier in the day, Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan Mackinnon seemed convinced the Calgary Flames would soon be climbing in the standings.
“They have such a good team,” Mackinnon said prior to Monday’s faceoff with the Flames.
“It’s only a matter of time before they get rolling again.”
News flash, Nathan. The Flames are already rolling.
Thanks to Monday’s 5-4 overtime triumph in the Mile High City, Calgary has now won five in a row under interim head coach Geoff Ward.
They have collected at least a point in seven straight outings.
And they finally beat the Avalanche, avoiding a season sweep against the same speedy squad that knocked them out of the playoffs last spring.
Derek Ryan, Matthew Tkachuk, Andrew Mangiapane and Michael Frolik each scored in regulation time, and after the Flames frittered away a two-goal lead in the third stanza, Sean Monahan counted the overtime winner.
Ryan Graves, Valeri Nichushkin, Mackinnon and Joonas Donskoi scored for the Avs.
The Flames wrap up a twogame roadie with Tuesday’s clash against the Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/sportsnet 960 The Fan).
BETTMAN BREAKS SILENCE
Finally weighing in Monday on the Bill Peters saga, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman praised the Flames for their “timely, professional and appropriate” response to explosive allegations against their former bench boss.
Speaking at the board of governors meetings in Pebble Beach, Calif., Bettman announced mandatory annual training for all coaches and management types on diversity and inclusion, promised “severe discipline” against any club that doesn’t disclose incidents of abuse to the league, and revealed plans for a hotline for potential whistleblowers.
“While none of Bill Peters’ inappropriate conduct occurred on the Flames’ watch, they undertook the important effort to try to understand what happened 10 years ago and thereafter,” Bettman said.
“Once Calgary could satisfy itself as to what transpired, they achieved an appropriate result and I commend the Calgary organization and in particular, (GM) Brad Treliving, for their efforts and co-operation.”