Flames Quick Hits: Cooley, Farabee & Sharangovich

The Calgary Flames came to Anaheim hoping to rebound from a rough night in Los Angeles, and for stretches, they played like they belonged in a hockey game. Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich found the net, and Devin Cooley was a wall in the net with 34 saves. But it wasn’t enough to stop Cutter Gauthier and the Ducks, who skated off with a 3-2 shootout win, completing their fifth straight victory. Calgary led early, battled back when Anaheim tied it, and even had the power-play edge late, but the puck just wouldn’t bend their way. On back-to-back nights, the Flames showed heart — they just came up a bounce short.

Flames Key Performers

Farabee was the spark, breaking the ice in the first period with a slick move off the bench and a redirected pass from Ryan Lomberg. Sharangovich was the power-play hero, scoring a laser from the right circle that put Calgary ahead 2-1. Cooley deserves a tip of the hat — he kept the Flames in it all night, stopping everything Anaheim threw at him until the shootout. The effort was there from the big names, but sometimes hockey reminds you it’s not just about effort — it’s about timing, bounces, and that little extra luck that didn’t show for Calgary.

The Game’s Turning Point for the Ducks

The Ducks tied it late in the third, a power-play one-timer from Gauthier off a pass from Jackson LaCombe that somehow sneaked past Cooley. That goal forced overtime and eventually the shootout, where Anaheim’s confidence and young legs carried them through. Earlier, Farabee’s first goal was a reminder that line changes and teamwork matter — Adam Klapka’s smart move let him get onto the ice with speed, and Lomberg’s pass did the rest. These small shifts can make or break a game, and tonight they broke against Calgary.

Key Takeaway for the Flames

The Flames skated hard, battled through a back-to-back, and matched Anaheim in nearly every shift. For a team that’s had its share of frustrating nights, it was encouraging to see them engaged. The energy didn’t falter even when the scoreboard didn’t cooperate, and that’s worth noting for a squad still trying to find its rhythm.

What’s Next for the Flames?

The Flames know they can hang with a streaking team. The work ethic and energy are there. Now it’s about translating that into results — finishing plays, getting lucky bounces, and maybe having the puck favour them once or twice. Next up, it’s about recovery and focus: taking these lessons, staying aggressive, and remembering that even a tough loss can be a building block.