Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
In an electrifying overtime finish, Mike Matheson netted the game-winner just a minute into the extra period, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 victory against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday night. Matheson completed a critical pass from rookie Ivan Demidov, marking Montreal’s second consecutive victory and their sixth win in the last seven games.
Matheson attributed the overtime success to the teamwork of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson. Their tenacity in the Flames’ zone during the initial shift of overtime paved the way for the decisive goal. “It was such a great play by ‘Demi’; I just had to finish it,” Matheson remarked post-game.
Zack Bolduc initiated the scoring for the Canadiens with a power-play goal at 17:09 in the opening period. Bolduc seized a pass from Suzuki in the slot and scored past Flames goalie Dustin Wolf, giving Montreal an early advantage. In goal, Jakub Dobes recorded an impressive 36 saves, limiting the Flames' scoring opportunities despite notable offensive pressure from Calgary.
The Flames managed to equalize in the third period with Adam Klapka’s goal at 5:56. Klapka intercepted a puck from Canadiens defender Noah Dobson and swiftly shot past Dobes to tie the game at 1-1. Wolf stopped 26 shots, but the Flames have now slid to 0-6-1 over their past seven games, struggling for form.
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis commended his team’s tactical execution in overtime. “It’s always great to clinch a win in overtime. The team was methodical, and we capitalized on our strategy,” he noted. This victory marked the Canadiens’ third overtime win this season, showcasing their capacity to perform under pressure.
Demidov, the rookie who assisted in the dramatic overtime goal, has accumulated eight points in his first ten NHL games, becoming the first Canadiens player to achieve this feat since Andrew Cassels during the 1989-90 season. Dobes, who began last season with a 5-0-0 record and stands 4-0-0 this season, has joined Wayne Thomas as only the second rookie goaltender in NHL history to have multiple 4-0-0 season starts.
Nick Suzuki extended his scoring streak to seven games with an assist on Bolduc’s opening goal, amassing one goal and ten assists during this impressive run. Colleagues Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson also played pivotal roles in Montreal’s defensive and offensive strategies, particularly in crucial overtime moments.
This win reinforces the Canadiens’ strong season beginnings, demonstrating their proficiency in high-pressure scenarios. Meanwhile, the Flames will seek to bounce back from this recent defeat and reclaim their early-season momentum. Both teams exhibited considerable resolve, but Montreal’s blend of talented forwards and dependable goaltending ultimately proved decisive in overtime.
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