Oilers nearly mount comeback in high-scoring showdown with Flames: Game Recap, Highlights, and Reaction

Just over eight minutes in, the Flames tied the game at one, as Hunter Laing was able to find a quiet part of the ice, capitalizing on a puck that came net front, chipping it past Samuel Jonnason to tie the game.

After one period, the two teams were tied at one, but that changed in the second period. Seven minutes into the middle frame, Brady Stonehouse picked off a pass in the defensive zone, but turned it over to Jacob Battalgia, who threw it across the ice for an easy tap-in from Nathan Brisson.

About two minutes later, the Flames extended their lead to three, as the Flames worked the puck around on the power play, with Matvei Gridin finding Samuel Honzek backdoor, with the latter using his skates to deflect it into the back of the net.

Late in the second period, the Oilers had a neutral zone turnover, leading to a transition play. Eventually, Aydar Suniev got the puck in the slot, one-timing it past the Oilers’ netminder to give the Flames a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.

The Oilers got some hope six minutes into the third, as Matthew Savoie split the Flames’ defender off a neutral zone faceoff. Although he didn’t score on the breakaway, he was awarded a penalty shot, beating Owen Say by the post to cut the lead in half.

It didn’t take the Flames long to restore their three-goal lead, as the Oilers allowed an odd-man rush. Although they did well to defend it initially, the cross-ice pass returned to send, with Gridin firing off the Oilers’ netminder’s back at a tough angle to make it 5-2.

The Flames’ sixth and final goal came just over nine minutes into the third period, as their forecheck forced a turnover. After a cross-ice pass, Parker Bell sniped it over the Oilers’ netminder’s blocker to take a 6-2 lead.

That said, the Oilers were able to make it close. The Flames had a horrendous change late in the period, allowing Matt Capponi to pass it to Connor Clattenburg, who was all alone in front of the net to bring the Oilers within three.

It didn’t take long to make it an interesting game, as they scored just a few seconds later off another faceoff, with Savoie using his speed to break in and cause an odd-man rush, slipping it under the Flames’ netminder’s pads to bring the Oilers within two.

Sadly, the Oilers weren’t able to find a goal until there were just a few seconds left in the game, as Quinn Hutson sniped it past the Flames’ netminder to give the game a final score of 6-5.

Takeaways…

Samuel Jonsson got the start for the Oilers in this game, and it wasn’t a particularly great game for the 21-year-old Swede. He allowed four goals on an unknown number of shots, as the shot total was not tracked. The 2022 fifth-round pick could’ve done a bit better on the first and fourth goals.

It’s been a long time since the Oilers had a player like Connor Clattenburg in their system, much less on their roster.  The fifth-round pick in 2024 had two fights, two minor penalties, and a goal. Having a player like this in the bottom six is exactly what the Oilers need, so let’s hope the Ottawa native develops well in the American Hockey League in 2025-26.

Matthew Savoie had a good game, picking up two goals, including one on a penalty shot. He and his linemates were rather quiet in the first two periods of the game, but Savoie showed off his great speed in the third period, using it to generate both goals. The Oilers’ top prospect played right wing in this game, but took some draws on his strong side and did well.

Ike Howard was not as noticeable as Savoie. Of the two, Savoie appears to be more NHL-ready, but there’s still a ton of time for Howard to make an impact. The Oilers’ best player of the game was Viljami Marjala, who was signed out of Finland this off-season. He scored the opening goal of the game and picked up another assist. Moreover, Savoie started to find more success when Marjala was promoted to the first line, so that’s something to watch moving forward.

It was a feisty Battle of Alberta. As noted earlier, Connor Clattenburg fought twice, arguably winning both fights (one against Axel Hurtig and one against Mace’o Phillips), while Parker Von Richter dropped the mitts with Kadon McCann.

The good news is that the Oilers will get a chance at revenge on Sunday, as the two teams face off in Calgary at 4:00 PM MT.