AHL Hockey, Calgary Wranglers Jonathan Willcott AHL Hockey, Calgary Wranglers Jonathan Willcott

Wranglers Shut Out 3–0 by Barracuda in San Jose

The Calgary Wranglers were shut out 3–0 by the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday night, allowing two late first-period goals and an early second-period power play marker. Ivan Prosvetov made 30 saves to steady Calgary after the early surge. The team now returns home before heading to Abbotsford for back-to-back games beginning December 2.

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers could not solve the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday night, falling 3–0 at Tech CU Arena in Northern California. Three different San Jose skaters found the back of the net, while Calgary’s push at even strength and on special teams came up short.

San Jose opened the scoring at 16:16 of the first period when Igor Chernyshov notched his ninth of the year, finishing a setup from Jack Thompson and Quentin Musty. The Barracuda doubled the lead just over three minutes later as Cole Clayton scored his second of the season off a pass from Jimmy Huntington.

The Wranglers attempted to regroup in the second, but an early Barracuda power play extended the deficit. Filip Bystedt converted at 2:25, his fourth of the season, with Musty and Luca Cagnoni drawing assists. That marker stood as the final goal of the night, with Calgary unable to generate a breakthrough despite a third-period push.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov kept Calgary competitive throughout, stopping 30 of 33 shots for a .909 save percentage.

The loss marks Calgary’s 10th of the season as they conclude their California swing. The Wranglers now return home briefly before traveling to Abbotsford for back-to-back matchups next week.

Calgary meets the Abbotsford Canucks on Tuesday, December 2, and again on Wednesday, December 3. Both games are scheduled for 8:00 pm MT. Fans can watch live on AHLTV via FloHockey at https://flosports.link/46YqCIJ.

UPCOMING SCHEDULED
December 2 | 8:00 PM | Abbotsford Canucks | Rogers Forum
December 3 | 8:00 PM | Abbotsford Canucks | Rogers Forum
December 6 | 7:00 PM | Ontario Reign | Toyota Center
December 7 | 4:00 PM | Ontario Reign | Toyota Center

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Ontario Reign defeat Calgary Wranglers 5–1 on Remembrance Day at the Saddledome

The Ontario Reign defeated the Calgary Wranglers 5–1 on Remembrance Day at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary outshot Ontario 29–27, but the Reign capitalized on their chances with goals from Kenny Connors, Cole Guttman, Jared Wright, Taylor Ward, and Koehn Ziemmer. Dryden Hunt scored the lone goal for Calgary.

CALGARY — The Ontario Reign defeated the Calgary Wranglers 5–1 on Remembrance Day at the Scotiabank Saddledome, powered by balanced scoring and strong goaltending from Pheonix Copley.

Ontario opened the scoring early in the second period when Kenny Connors of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, beat Owen Say upstairs from a sharp angle for his third of the season. Just over two minutes later, Cole Guttman of Northridge, California, finished a feed from Glenn Gawdin and Andre Lee to make it 2–0.

Calgary answered midway through the frame when Dryden Hunt of Cranbrook, British Columbia, converted a well-executed passing play from Rory Kerins (Caledon, Ontario) and Hunter Brzustewicz (Michigan) at 6:41, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

Ontario regained control in the third. Jared Wright scored shorthanded on a clean finish through Say’s five-hole — the game-winner — before Taylor Ward added his seventh goal of the season off a rebound from Akil Thomas. Koehn Ziemmer closed out the scoring with his first AHL goal, assisted by Aatu Jämsen and Jack Hughes, to make it 5–1.

Calgary outshot Ontario 29–27, but the Reign capitalized on their chances to improve to 8–4–1, while the Wranglers fell to 6–5–2 as they head out on a three-week road trip.

Three Stars:

  1. Jared Wright (78), Ontario – Shorthanded game-winner

  2. Pheonix Copley (29), Ontario – Steady 28-save performance

  3. Koehn Ziemmer (13), Ontario – First AHL goal

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Wranglers Drop 4–1 Decision to Barracuda on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Saddledome

The Calgary Wranglers dropped a 4–1 decision to the San Jose Barracuda on Hockey Fights Cancer night. Egor Afanasyev and Kasper Halttunen led the way for San Jose, while Lucas Ciona scored Calgary’s lone goal. Gabriel Carriere turned aside 20 shots in net, frustrating the Wranglers' power play and sealing back-to-back wins at the Saddledome.

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers fell 4–1 to the San Jose Barracuda Saturday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as San Jose completed the two-game sweep in front of a strong crowd for the team’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer game.

The Barracuda struck first at the 8:00 mark of the opening period, when Egor Afanasyev (#11) cut in over the blue line and snapped a low shot far side past Ivan Prosvetov. The goal was the first of the season for the 6'4" left winger from Tver, Russia, who was drafted 45th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2019 and traded to San Jose earlier this year.

San Jose added to their lead after Calgary forward Rory Kerins was called for interference. On the power play, Pavol Regenda (#84) sent a puck into traffic that eventually found Kasper Halttunen (#14), who buried it to make it 2–0. Just minutes later, Halttunen scored again — this time on a clean shot from the left circle for his second of the game and third of the season. The Helsinki-born forward was a second-round pick (36th overall) in 2023 and is currently in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract.

Calgary’s best chance of the first came in the dying seconds, when a Wranglers forward broke in alone, but goaltender Gabriel Carriere stood tall. San Jose outshot Calgary 11–5 in the first.

Tempers flared late in the period as Alex Gallant and Anthony Vincent dropped the gloves, although the fight didn’t escalate beyond a quick exchange. Jimmy Huntington, who had earlier laid a heavy hit on Hunter Brzustewicz, was involved in a scrap of his own later in the second with Calgary’s Nick Cicek — possibly in response to that earlier collision.

Calgary found some life late in the second. After several chances turned away by Carriere, the Wranglers finally broke through with 2:17 left in the period. Aydar Suniev’s shot from the right dot deflected off Sam Morton and then off Lucas Ciona (#17), who redirected it in for his first goal of the season. That cut the deficit to 3–1 heading into the third.

The Wranglers had two power play opportunities in the game but were unable to convert, falling to 6-for-40 on the season (15.0%). San Jose went 1-for-2, improving their power play efficiency to 13-for-50 (26%).

In the third, Calgary pushed hard. Parker Bell had multiple rushes, Matvei Gridin had several looks, and Brzustewicz nearly scored on a wraparound. Carriere was sharp throughout, including a glove save on Regenda shorthanded and a key stop on Brzustewicz walking in from the point.

With time running down, Calgary pulled Prosvetov for the extra attacker, but Colin White sealed the game with an empty net goal — his second goal of the year — making it 4–1 San Jose.

After the game, Barracuda GM Joe Will praised his forward depth, saying several players could contribute at the NHL level this season. He also noted confidence in both of San Jose’s AHL goalies — Carriere and Škarek — to step in and help the big club if needed.

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Calgary Wranglers Surge With 8 Straight Points and Battle of Alberta Sweep

The Calgary Wranglers are heating up with points in eight straight games and back-to-back wins over Bakersfield to sweep the first Battle of Alberta of the season. Ivan Prosvetov’s steady play in net and a surge of offense from Sam Morton, Matvei Gridin, and Aydar Suniev have sparked a major turnaround as Calgary heads into a key homestand at the Saddledome.

CALGARY – The Calgary Wranglers are heating up in a hurry. After a slow start to the season, Calgary has flipped the script with points in eight straight games and a five-game win streak, capped by a dominant weekend sweep over the Bakersfield Condors.

Saturday’s opener saw Calgary take Round 1 of the AHL’s Battle in Alberta with a 4–3 overtime win. Ivan Prosvetov was sharp again, turning aside 35 of 38 shots. Calgary jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first, with Martin Frk and Rory Kerins both hitting the scoresheet. Bakersfield clawed back and forced overtime, where Sam Morton sealed it with his first career OT winner. Morton, William Strömgren, and Matvei Gridin all posted multi-point nights.

On Sunday, Calgary followed it up with a statement. The Wranglers handled Bakersfield 6–1, erasing an early Condors powerplay goal and taking control the rest of the way. Turner Ottenbreit scored his first as a Wrangler, Hunter Brzustewicz added another in the dying seconds of the first, and Calgary never looked back. Aydar Suniev, Morton, Dryden Hunt, and Gridin all scored in a third-period push that buried the Condors. Goaltender Owen Say picked up his second win of the season, stopping 21 of 22 shots.

There are standout performances across the roster during this stretch. Morton has nine points in his last five games, including five across the weekend. Prosvetov has been lights-out with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .961 save percentage over his last three games, including a shutout. Suniev has scored in two of his last four as his offensive confidence continues to build. Gridin sits second in AHL rookie scoring with 11 points.

Calgary now turns its attention to a four-game homestand at the Scotiabank Saddledome, beginning Thursday against the San Jose Barracuda at 7:00 pm. The Wranglers will also host San Jose on Saturday afternoon before Ontario visits for back-to-back games on November 11 and 12.

The Wranglers have found their stride, and the Dome is feeling it.

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Wranglers Extend Point Streak to Six as Gridin Scores Shootout Winner in Abbotsford

Matvei Gridin scored the shootout winner and Ivan Prosvetov stopped 25 of 26 shots as the Calgary Wranglers edged Abbotsford 2–1, extending their point streak to six ahead of a home series with Bakersfield.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — The Calgary Wranglers extended their point streak to six games with a 2–1 shootout win over the Abbotsford Canucks on Wednesday night, finishing their two-game road set with another strong defensive showing and efficient goaltending.

Abbotsford opened the scoring in the first, but Calgary weathered early pressure and began to tilt the ice in the second period. Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov kept the Wranglers within one, turning aside several high-danger chances before the skaters in front of him found their rhythm.

The equalizer came midway through the third when Daniil Miromanov beat Abbotsford’s Jiri Patera. Matvei Gridin and David Silye drew the assists as the Wranglers pressed, outshooting the Canucks 9–5 in overtime and closing the night with a 30–26 edge in total shots.

In the shootout, Gridin—Calgary Flames’ 2024 first-round pick (28th overall)—clinched the win as the third shooter. The 19-year-old rookie from Kurgan, Russia, now with eight points through six AHL games, continues to show poise beyond his years after a 79-point QMJHL season and four-game NHL debut with the Flames earlier this fall.

Prosvetov, also Russian-born, finished with 25 saves on 26 shots, earning first-star honours. Miromanov’s goal was his second point in four AHL games this season, and the Wranglers’ special teams struggled going 0/1 on the penalty kill and 0/2 with the man advantage.

Calgary, now 4-2-2 — third in the Pacific Division, heads home for a weekend series against the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors on November 1 and 2. Both games are set for 1:00 p.m. MT at the Scotiabank Saddledome, followed by a mid-week series with the San Jose Barracuda on November 6 and 8.

Fans can catch all the action live on AHLTV via FloHockey at flosports.link/46YqCIJ.

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Wranglers blank Abbotsford 3–0 to open back-to-back road set

The Calgary Wranglers opened their back-to-back in Abbotsford with a 3–0 shutout win. Yan Kuznetsov scored first in the third period, Aydar Suniev followed with his first professional goal on the power play, and Rory Kerins added the third. Ivan Prosvetov stopped all 33 shots for his seventh AHL shutout in his 150th career game.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- The Calgary Wranglers opened their back-to-back in Abbotsford with a 3–0 win over the Canucks on Tuesday night. The first two periods produced no scoring before Calgary broke through in the third.

Yan Kuznetsov opened the scoring eight minutes into the period. Aydar Suniev added a second goal on the power play three and a half minutes later, his first as a professional. Rory Kerins scored the third to finish with a two-point night.

The win was driven by a trio of Russian-born contributors. Kuznetsov, a 6-foot-4 defender from Murmansk, set the tone. Suniev, a 20-year-old wing from Kazan in his first season pro after a 38-point year at UMass, doubled the lead. In goal, Moscow native Ivan Prosvetov made 33 saves for his seventh career AHL shutout in his 150th appearance.

The Wranglers and Canucks complete the two-game set in Abbotsford on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. MT. Calgary then returns home to host Bakersfield in a Saturday–Sunday set at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Nov. 1 and 2, before San Jose visits on Nov. 6.

Fans can watch Wednesday’s road meeting live on AHLTV via FloHockey at https://flosports.link/46YqCIJ.

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Wranglers edge Coachella Valley 4–3 as Morton and Brzustewicz lead the way

CALGARY — Sam Morton (#45) recorded a three-point night and Hunter Brzustewicz scored twice as the Calgary Wranglers defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 4–3 on Saturday night to close out their home-opening weekend at the Saddledome. Ivan Prosvetov made 24 saves for his first win as a Wrangler.

CALGARY — Sam Morton led the way with a three-point performance and Hunter Brzustewicz scored twice as the Calgary Wranglers defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds 4–3 on Saturday night to close out their home-opening weekend at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Morton opened the scoring in the first period and later helped tee up Brzustewicz for one of his two goals in what became the defenceman’s first multi-goal night as a pro. Matvei Gridin and Dryden Hunt each recorded two assists, while Hunt extended his run to four multi-point performances in his last five games.

Coachella Valley pushed throughout the night, outshooting Calgary 27–26. Ivan Prosvetov turned aside 24 shots to record his first win as a Wrangler.

Calgary protected its lead through a final push by the Firebirds, who scored with 7.2 seconds left to make it 4–3 before time ran out.

The win closes out the weekend split after Friday’s overtime loss and moves Calgary to 2–2–2 on the season.

The Wranglers now pivot to a four-game stretch in six days, beginning with a road back-to-back against the Abbotsford Canucks on Tuesday and Wednesday. Puck drop for both games is 8:00 p.m. MT at Abbotsford Centre. Calgary then returns home to host the Bakersfield Condors for matinee games at the Scotiabank Saddledome on November 1 and 2.

Fans can watch the upcoming road series live on AHLTV via FloHockey at https://flosports.link/46YqCIJ.

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Wranglers Fall 5–4 in Overtime to Coachella Valley in Home Opener

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers lost 5–4 in overtime to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in their AHL home opener Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Clark Bishop from St. John’s scored twice, including a shorthanded goal in the third period to make it 4–2, but Coachella Valley forced overtime with 2:32 left and Jacob Melanson scored the winner 44 seconds into the extra frame.

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers dropped their home opener 5–4 in overtime to the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome, giving up a late tying goal before Jacob Melanson ended the game 44 seconds into the extra frame.

Clark Bishop from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, opened the scoring in the first period on Calgary’s fifth shot of the game and later added a shorthanded goal in the third, finishing with two of the Wranglers’ four goals. Rory Kerins and Matvei Gridin also had multi-point efforts, each recording one goal and one assist, while William Stromgren added two assists in the loss.

Coachella Valley cut into the Wranglers’ lead on a first-period rebound goal by Jakov Novak to make it 2–1 after one. Calgary regained a two-goal cushion when Gridin redirected a point shot in the second period to make it 3–1, before Jagger Firkus answered in the third to bring the Firebirds within one.

Bishop restored the two-goal lead at 4–2 with his shorthanded marker, but Coachella Valley responded again when Logan Morrison capitalized from in tight. With 2:32 remaining in regulation, Firkus scored his second of the night to force overtime.

In overtime, Coachella Valley completed the comeback when Melanson carried the puck down the left side and beat Calgary goaltender Owen Say with a backhand finish at 0:44, sealing the 5–4 decision.

Say made 21 saves on 26 shots in the loss. The Wranglers held a 31–18 shot advantage at one point in the third period but were unable to close out the game in regulation.

Multiple Calgary players recorded their first points on home ice this season, with Bishop scoring the Wranglers’ first home goal of 2025–26 and the club’s first shorthanded goal of the year. Kerins’ two-point performance moved him to five points on the season, while Gridin recorded his third goal of the campaign.

With the overtime loss, Calgary moves to 1-2-2 on the season. Coachella Valley (2-2-1) has now won back-to-back games and they sit fifth in the Pacific Division.

The Wranglers and Firebirds will meet again on Saturday night for a rematch at 6:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The game will be available for streaming on AHLTV via FloHockey.

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Blue Jays Face Elimination in ALCS Game 6 as NHL Sunday Delivers Wins for Canucks and Red Wings

The Toronto Blue Jays return to Rogers Centre on Sunday with a chance to extend the American League Championship Series to a decisive Game 7. Seattle leads the series 3–2, but Toronto hands the ball to Trey Yesavage in front of a home crowd where the Jays have won big games all year. Earlier in the day around the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks closed out a 4–3 win in Washington and Detroit made it five straight with a 4–2 win over Edmonton. Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Wranglers, are also back on the ice in Tucson after earning their first point of the season in an overtime loss on Saturday.

CALGARY — The Toronto Blue Jays return home tonight with their season on the line in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Down 3–2 to the Seattle Mariners, Toronto must win both Sunday and Monday at Rogers Centre to advance to the World Series. Right-hander Trey Yasavage gets the ball for the Jays opposite Seattle’s Logan Gilbert.

The National League bracket is already set. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Milwaukee to clinch the NL pennant and will await the winner of the ALCS when the World Series opens Friday.

Around the NHL on Sunday afternoon, the Vancouver Canucks held off the Washington Capitals 4–3 in D.C. Tyler Myers scored and added an assist while Thatcher Demko made 28 saves. In Detroit, Dylan Larkin recorded four points (two goals, two assists) to power the Red Wings past the Edmonton Oilers 4–2 for their fifth straight victory. Two more games close out the Sunday slate later tonight as Anaheim visits Chicago and Utah hosts Boston.

In the AHL, the Calgary Wranglers earned their first point of the season but fell 5–4 in overtime to the Tucson Roadrunners after staging a three-goal third-period comeback. Matvei Gridin scored his first AHL goal in his debut and Rory Kerins delivered back-to-back goals, including the late equalizer with 38 seconds left. Calgary returns to the ice in Tucson again tonight before their home opener at the Saddledome on October 24 against Coachella Valley.

The Calgary Flames are idle Sunday after a 6–1 loss in Vegas on Saturday night. Jonathan Huberdeau scored in his return to the lineup but the Golden Knights flexed with multi-point nights from Mark Stone, Jack Eichel and others.

A decisive week now takes shape: the Blue Jays either extend their season or exit short of the World Series, the Flames regroup after a difficult start, and the Wranglers look to convert competitive third periods into wins when they return home.

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Wranglers Shut Out 1–0 in Loveland as Owen Say Impresses in AHL Debut

A strong AHL debut from 24-year-old Owen Say wasn’t enough as the Calgary Wranglers were shut out 1–0 by the Colorado Eagles on Saturday night in Loveland. Say, from London, Ontario, stopped 21 of 22 shots in his first start after joining Calgary from Notre Dame, where he posted a .920 save percentage last season.

CALGARY – The Calgary Wranglers wrapped up their weekend in Loveland with a 1–0 loss to the Colorado Eagles on Saturday night, a tight defensive contest that saw Calgary shut out despite steady pressure and strong goaltending.

Colorado struck just 42 seconds into the opening frame, and that lone tally stood as the game-winner. The Wranglers battled but couldn’t find the equalizer, going 0-for-5 on the power play and managing 18 shots on goal.

The bright spot came in net, where 24-year-old Owen Say of London, Ontario made his first AHL start and turned heads. The rookie goaltender looked confident and composed, stopping 21 of 22 shots to keep Calgary within striking distance all night. Say joins the Wranglers after playing 27 games last season with the University of Notre Dame in the Big Ten Conference, where he posted a .920 save percentage and a 10-15 record.

Despite the loss, Say’s debut offered encouraging depth between the pipes for a Wranglers team that has leaned heavily on Dustin Wolf in recent seasons.

Calgary now returns home to reset before heading south to Tucson for a two-game weekend series against the Roadrunners. The Wranglers face Tucson on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. MST, and again on Sunday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m. MST, with both games taking place at the Tucson Convention Center. After that, the team returns to the Scotiabank Saddledome for back-to-back home games against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. MST and October 25 at 6:00 p.m. MST.

Fans can catch all upcoming Wranglers action live on FloHockey.

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Wranglers Look to Even Series in Colorado

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers will look to bounce back Saturday night in Colorado after opening their 2025–26 season with a 7–4 loss to the Eagles on Friday at Blue FCU Arena.

Despite the final score, there were bright spots for Calgary in the opener. The top line of William Stromgren, Rory Kerins, and Dryden Hunt powered the offense, combining for five points and generating consistent pressure throughout. Martin Frk provided the team’s lone power-play goal, while goaltender Ivan Prosvetov turned aside 36 of 42 shots for an .857 save percentage in his Wranglers debut.

Special teams were the difference in Game 1, as Colorado converted on three of four opportunities with the man advantage. The Wranglers, meanwhile, finished 1-for-4 on the power play and will be looking to tighten up their penalty kill and defensive coverage in front of Prosvetov for tonight’s rematch.

Friday’s assists from Jeremie Poirier and Rory Kerins moved both players into a tie with Adam Klapka for second on the Wranglers’ all-time points list (97), just one behind Ben Jones (98). Poirier, entering his third full season with the club, remains one of the team’s key transition catalysts and is expected to log heavy minutes again tonight.

Head coach Brett Sutter’s group will try to re-establish its defensive rhythm while building on the offensive chemistry that showed flashes in the opener. Calgary’s transition game and power-play execution will be focal points against a Colorado team that thrives on tempo and puck retrieval.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MT at Blue FCU Arena. After tonight’s contest, the Wranglers hit the road to Tucson for back-to-back games against the Roadrunners next weekend before returning home to the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 24 to face the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

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Coronado’s Two-Goal Effort Not Enough as Blues Spoil Flames’ Home Opener

CALGARY — The Saturday matinee at the Scotiabank Saddledome had all the makings of a statement win, but the Calgary Flames couldn’t finish the job. Despite two goals from Matt Coronado, the Flames fell 4–2 to the St. Louis Blues in their 2025–26 home opener, ending a streak that had seen Calgary go 7-0-1 in home openers since 2016.

Coronado opened the scoring at 14:49 of the first period on the power play, converting a feed from Joel Farabee and Nazem Kadri. Late in the second, with the Flames trailing, he struck again at even strength, taking a quick pass from Kevin Bahl and ripping a shot high glove side to tie the game 2–2. The 22-year-old winger’s release and confidence were on full display, underscoring why he’s expected to be a cornerstone piece of Calgary’s next generation.

The Flames controlled much of the second period, pushing tempo and puck possession, but two quick St. Louis goals midway through the frame flipped the energy. The Blues regained their composure in the third, protecting the middle of the ice and adding insurance down the stretch to secure the win.

Goaltender Dustin Wolf faced 28 shots, stopping 24 for a .857 save percentage. He was composed under pressure, turning aside several high-danger chances that kept Calgary within reach until the final minutes.

The loss drops the Flames to 1-2-0 on the season as they regroup ahead of a high-profile matchup Tuesday night against Vegas. Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and the Golden Knights visit the Dome for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

Meanwhile in Loveland, Colorado, the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are set for Game 2 of their weekend set against the Colorado Eagles. After falling 7-4 in Friday’s season opener, the Wranglers will look to split the series before heading to Tucson next week.

Beyond hockey, Canadian sports fans have another headline to track: the Seattle Mariners defeated the Detroit Tigers last night to advance to the American League Championship Series, where they’ll face the Toronto Blue Jays beginning tomorrow night.

It’s a packed Saturday on the sports calendar — from Coronado’s breakout and Wolf’s early-season test to the Wranglers’ bounce-back bid and an all-north matchup brewing on the diamond.

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Wranglers Launch Season in Colorado, Host Firebirds October 24–25

CALGARY — Year four of the Calgary Wranglers begins this fall, marking the latest chapter since the club relocated to southern Alberta in 2022. In three seasons at Scotiabank Saddledome, the Wranglers have made the playoffs every year, including a Pacific Division title in their debut campaign, while building rivalries across one of the toughest divisions in the American Hockey League.

The new season opens October 10 with back-to-back road games against the Colorado Eagles, followed by a two-game trip to face the Tucson Roadrunners on October 18 and 19. The Wranglers’ home opener arrives October 24, when they welcome the Coachella Valley Firebirds for the first of two games that weekend.

The AHL is split into two conferences, the 17-team Western and 15-team Eastern, with four divisions beneath them. Calgary plays in the Pacific Division alongside the Abbotsford Canucks, Henderson Silver Knights, Colorado Eagles, Tucson Roadrunners, San Jose Barracuda, San Diego Gulls, Ontario Reign, Bakersfield Condors, and Coachella Valley Firebirds. Each year, 23 of the league’s 32 teams qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs, with the top seven from the Pacific advancing.

The Wranglers’ leadership has evolved over three seasons. Brett Sutter wore the “C” in the club’s first two years before retiring, with Clark Bishop of St. John’s taking over as captain in 2024. Bishop returns this season alongside veteran forward Martin Frk, who joined last year and quickly became one of the team’s top scorers.

Last season’s points leaders included Rory Kerins with 61, Martin Frk with 60, Dryden Hunt and William Strömgren with 49 each, Sam Morton with 45, Jérémie Poirier with 42, and captain Clark Bishop with 38. These totals reflected a balanced offense, a mix of emerging talent and established contributors.

The Wranglers’ record book has already seen standout marks, highlighted by Matthew Phillips’ 36 goals, 40 assists, and 76 points in 2022–23, and Dustin Wolf’s 42 wins and .932 save percentage that same year. Jakob Pelletier’s 10-point playoff run in 2023 remains a postseason benchmark.

As the Wranglers head into their fourth season in Calgary, the foundation is set: three playoff berths in three years, a growing rivalry with Coachella Valley, and a roster that combines leadership with developing talent. The early-season road trip through Colorado and Tucson sets the stage for a much-anticipated home-opening weekend against the Firebirds.

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