Devin Cooley, Flames turn aside Blues in shootout

Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin scored in a shootout, giving the host Calgary Flames a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

After Calgary failed to convert during a power play in overtime, the Flames netted two of their three attempts in the tiebreaker. Calgary goalie Devin Cooley stopped both of the Blues' shootout tries.

Connor Zary tallied in regulation for the Flames (27-34-7, 61 points), who overcame a trio of goals erased due to coach's challenges to open a six-game homestand with a victory.

Cooley made 26 saves through regulation and overtime as he prevailed in an excellent goaltending battle with Joel Hofer, who stopped 30 of 31 shots before the shootout.

Calgary beat St. Louis for the first time in nine meetings.

Dylan Holloway scored for the Blues (27-30-11, 65 points), who are on a 7-2-2 run since the Olympic break to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.

St. Louis is six points out of a playoff position with 14 games remaining.

Zary opened the scoring on the game's first shot. Off the rush, he was fed the puck in the left circle, cut to the net and slipped home a backhand shot at 2:34 of the clash to snap a 10-game goal drought.

Holloway, who hails from Calgary, evened the count with his second goal in as many games. After taking a pass from Jimmy Snuggerud during a 2-on-1 rush, Holloway released a quick shot that just squeezed through at 3:47 of the second period.

Calgary twice appeared to take a 2-0 lead during the first period, but one tally was deleted due to an offside and another overturned was due to an uncalled high stick of the puck.

Then, midway through the second period while the game was tied 1-1, a Flames go-ahead goal was taken off the board due to an offside call.

St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery became the first coach in nearly three years to win three challenges in a game. Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft successfully challenged a trio of potential goals by the San Jose Sharks on March 20, 2023.