Flames’ Sunday split squad set showcases opening round of backup goalie race

On Sunday night, 301 kilometres apart, the Calgary Flames played a pair of exhibition games against the Edmonton Oilers.

The most important developments for the Flames’ roster decision-making may have unfolded in the two creases, as Devin Cooley and Ivan Prosvetov vie to become Dustin Wolf’s backup for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Cooley, in Calgary, was playing behind four regular NHL defenders on home ice against a fairly lean travelling Edmonton group. He faced 29 shots and allowed three goals in a 3-0 loss.

Prosvetov, in Edmonton, was playing behind two regular NHL defenders on the road against a more veteran-laden Edmonton squad. He faced 30 shots and allowed two goals in a 3-2 overtime win.

Following the game in Calgary, Cooley reflected on his performance. In particular, he discussed the second Edmonton goal, off an own-zone turnover by teammate Matvei Gridin on a pass through the middle of their zone, and the first Edmonton goal, a high shot that he almost gloved… but trickled through his padding and into the net behind him.

“I felt really good, actually. I thought I kept a really simple game. The goal I really didn’t like was the second one and it’s because I didn’t play in my system. So usually they pass it out and then I would want to be like big and over it, but I tried to do, like, a stupid windmill and, like, look good in front of the crowd and then he just totally burned me. I’m probably gonna hear it from the goalie coaches for that one. It’s funny, I thought I played the system, like, perfectly. I thought technically I was really sound, really controlled, and then the one time I tried to be, like, an athlete, you know, I just get burned. But, you know, you live and you learn and I know exactly what i did wrong so I know what to fix for next time. And then the first one I thought was just an unfortunate bounce. I literally saved it and then it hit like my pad and then bounced into the five hole so whatever there.”

It was a return to game action for Cooley after a topsy-turvy 2024-25 season that saw him emerge as perhaps the American Hockey League’s top goaltender in the first half of the year… and then have it all derailed by a mid-season concussion and a challenging back half of the season.

Following the game in Calgary, Flames head coach Ryan Huska discussed Cooley’s game and the competition for the backup role.

“I think we have good competition developing,” said Huska. “I don’t know really how the game went up north. I know the final result. So I’m assuming that our guy [Prosvetov] played well up there as well. But I don’t know. You don’t want him to have to put too much pressure on himself. Much is the same as we talked with all our younger players. Just go make the saves. And when a goaltender does that, the team in front of him gains confidence.”

The Flames return to action on Tuesday when they host the Seattle Kraken in another pre-season contest at the Saddledome.