DALLAS - A late push and a clutch performance in the shootout lifted the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night, extending Ludvig Coronato’s goal streak to three games.
The Flames (7-13-3) battled back from an early deficit to force overtime and ultimately secure the win, showcasing a growing confidence and commitment to their game plan. Coronato’s continued scoring touch, combined with strong goaltending from Devin Cooley, proved pivotal against a formidable Stars opponent.
“As a group we’re playing with more confidence,” Coronato said. “We’re playing better. I think it’s just sticking with the same plan,trying to play our game (and) getting to the net. We knew if we kept sticking with it, the bounces and the chances would start to turn. I think we battled hard. We played below their goal line. We got to our game quickly and stuck to it.”
Joel Farabee also scored for Calgary, while Nazem Kadri contributed with two assists. Cooley,making consecutive starts for the first time this season,stopped 28 shots to improve to 2-2-1 on the year.He previously made 28 saves in a 6-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres on wednesday.
“When everyone’s going together,we’re a really solid team,” said Cooley. “We just went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the League and I thought we were incredible.It was so much fun. Wherever I am, I’m just going to keep working and doing my thing and controlling what I can control and having a lot of fun with it. I thought tonight I had a ton of fun with it and I tried to make the most of it and I’m glad things worked out the way they did.”
The game remained tied through overtime before heading to a shootout. Kadri scored the decisive goal in the fourth round, and Cooley sealed the victory by stopping Roope Hintz.
“I was pretty hyped up,” Cooley said. “Then I made the save (on Hintz) and it was such a relief and it was such an awesome feeling.”
