This underrated moment sums up the 2024-25 Calgary Flames so far

yesterday

Calgary Herald

Published Oct 16, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute read

Chicago Blackhawks' Craig Smith, right, is checked by Calgary Flames' Justin Kirkland. The Canadian Press

Justin Kirkland looked like a fish out of water.

Calgary Flames - Figure 1 — Photo Calgary Herald

As an NHL call-up, especially a guy who has been grinding for years for an opportunity just like this one, that’s the last way you want to be described.

Except in this case, it’s a compliment.

During the final minute of the Calgary Flames’ latest victory, a fourth straight to start the new season, Kirkland was flipping and flopping his way to fan-fave status, throwing his body around for a couple of gutsy shot-blocks that helped to seal Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Saddledome.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Calgary Flames - Figure 2 — Photo Calgary Herald

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

As Blackhawks blue-liner Alex Vlasic unloaded a wrister from the top of the circle, Kirkland extended his right leg into the shooting lane, losing his balance and spilling to ice as that puck ricocheted off his shin-pad.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

The 28-year-old scrambled back to his feet, just in time to get in front of Vlasic’s next attempt, a wicked slapper that was dead-ended by the inside of his left ankle, again knocking Kirkland off his skates.

From his knees, the Flames’ fourth-line centre seemed to be willing to block the next one with his chin or sternum, except that Vlasic had a ‘Why bother?’ moment and attempted a pass instead.

It looked like it hurt.

It must have hurt.

“Honestly, it felt good,” Kirkland protested during a post-game interview on Flames TV. “Any way that I can help this team win, that’s what I’m trying to do. So it was a blast of a night.”

The Flames are now 4-0, matching the longest start-of-season winning streak in franchise history.

There have been a lot of standout individual storylines over the first week — Connor Zary’s overtime dangle in Game 1, a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick for Anthony Mantha on that same evening, a four-point pop-off from Jonathan Huberdeau in the home-opener, Rasmus Andersson’s stare-down cellys in both Vancouver and Edmonton, Matt Coronato’s first career multi-goal game and on and on and on.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

But if there’s one moment that sums up the 2024-25 Flames so far, it would be this block party in the late stages against the Blackhawks. A Kirkland Signature, you could call it.

Calgary Flames - Figure 3 — Photo Calgary Herald

Ryan Huska singled out ‘Costco’ during his post-game speech in the winning locker-room, pointing to the journeyman pivot as he peeled off his shin-pads — or whatever was left of them.

The coach also shouted out alternate captain Blake Coleman, who must have a sizable welt after throwing himself in front of a Seth Jones shot with two minutes remaining.

“That stuff, it matters,” Huska praised. “That’s the hard way to play, boys. But to me, it shows that the win is more important than anything else.”

The way that some people were talking about the Flames during training camp, it was as if they might not be expected to win four games throughout the entire season.

And yet, they’re sitting there atop the NHL’s overall standings. According to Big Head Hockey, 80.4% of teams that have started a campaign at 4-0 ultimately have qualified for the playoffs.

“We’ve had goaltending, that’s the start for us,” Huska said when asked about the keys to this undefeated intro. “We’ve had some timely goals that we’ve been able to score. And I think guys are committed to playing the right way away from the puck, so we’ve become a harder team to play against.

Article content

“Listen, last year, we gave up a lot of odd-man rushes early on in the season and we were chasing a lot of games. This year, I feel like it’s the other way around.”

“Our system is we reload hard and we don’t give too much up,” added Andersson, the workhorse rearguard who has racked up six points already. “And except for the first period in Vancouver, I thought we’ve done an unbelievable job with that and that’s the reason why we’re 4-0. We work hard for each other and we reload and we have each other’s backs and we block shots.

“I mean, look at Kirky, last shift … That’s the character we have in this group.”

Since arriving in Calgary in 1980, the Flames never have started a season on a 5-0 run. They’ll try to change that in Saturday’s clash with the Kraken in Seattle (8 p.m. MT, CBC/Sportsnet, Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

Whatever happens next, it’s hard to ignore what this crew has shown so far.

It’s going to be hard for opponents to take ’em lightly.

It’s going to be hard to send Kirkland back to the minors, even once Kevin Rooney is ready to return from injury. In three games, which boosts his career count in the NHL to a dozen, Kirkland has notched his first goal, picked up his first assist and established immediate chemistry with Coronato and Ryan Lomberg on what has been an effective energy line.

Article content

Recommended from Editorial

Three takeaways as Flames continue stellar start with fourth straight win

Flames call-up Justin Kirkland reflects on journey from serious car crash to first NHL goal

He only has looked like a fish out of water for about a five- or six-second span. And in this case, that’s a compliment.

“It’s pretty motivating,” said Flames netminder Dustin Wolf, asked after Tuesday’s 31-save showing about the 21 shots that hit one of his teammates instead. “You know, I do it with gear on, but they do it with a whole lot of nothing. So it’s pretty special. Especially in the last couple minutes there, Kirky with a couple huge blocks.

“There were guys throughout the game that were sacrificing their bodies.

“Obviously, in tight games like that, you need sacrifices like that to win.”

[email protected]

Article content