Flames Close Preseason With Shootout Loss to Jets
CALGARY – Calgary’s preseason finale had energy, offense, and a dramatic finish, but the Flames came up short in a 5–4 shootout against the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome on Friday night. The game capped off exhibition play and offered a final look at veterans and prospects before the regular season begins next week.
Nazem Kadri led the Flames with two goals, showing sharp form in his final tune-up. His first came midway through the opening frame when Adam Klapka worked the puck below the goal line and slipped a backhand pass to Kadri, who buried it from in close. Joel Farabee added the secondary assist.
Calgary doubled the lead minutes later as rookie forward Matvei Gridin continued his standout preseason. The 19-year-old forward collected a feed from Kevin Bahl and converted on the backhand to make it 2–0, adding to an already impressive exhibition showing.
Winnipeg responded late in the period, but the Flames answered right back. Defenceman Joel Hanley stepped into a point shot and sniped it high blocker side at 17:13, restoring the two-goal advantage with assists to MacKenzie Weegar and Morgan Frost. The Flames led 3–1 after 20 minutes, with the Saddledome crowd energized by a heavy Klapka hit on Neal Pionk that drew a roar through the building.
Kadri struck again early in the second period, finishing a return feed from Bahl for his second of the night, while Klapka picked up his second assist. That stretched Calgary’s lead to 4–1, but Winnipeg — dressing regulars Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and former Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck — rallied with two goals to trim the gap to 4–2 after 40 minutes.
The Jets completed their comeback in the third, tying the game 4–4 to force extra time. Overtime solved nothing, and the contest went to a lengthy shootout. Calgary converted twice, but Winnipeg edged ahead with three goals to secure the win.
Despite the loss, the Flames closed the preseason with encouraging signs: Kadri producing offensively and leading by example, Gridin showing flashes of high-end skill, Klapka bringing both physicality and playmaking, and Dustin Wolf once again drawing loud support from the home crowd with timely saves.
Calgary now turns its attention to the regular season, which begins next week
Blue Jays Clinch AL East Crown as Flames Continue Preseason
CALGARY -- Twenty more wins than a year ago has lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to the American League East crown. The turnaround season ended with Toronto securing its place in the American League Division Series, where the Jays will face either the Yankees or Red Sox once the Wild Card is settled.
While Toronto fans celebrated baseball success, Calgary hockey fans were focused on NHL preseason action. The Flames opened their slate with split-squad games against Edmonton, earning a 3–2 overtime win on the road behind two goals from Morgan Frost, while dropping the home half 3–0. Back at the Dome, they beat Seattle 4–1, then fell 3–1 in Abbotsford against Vancouver. Most recently, in Winnipeg, the Flames came up short 4–2, with goals coming from 2024 first-round draft picks Zayne Parekh, 9th overall, and Matvei Gridin, 28th overall.
Frost has been Calgary’s most consistent forward, leading the team with five points through four appearances. His overtime winner in Edmonton stood out, but his steady production throughout camp has been just as important.
The Flames’ preseason record may not turn heads, but the combination of veteran contributors and first-rounders hitting the scoresheet is giving head coach Ryan Huska a clearer picture as roster cuts continue. For Huska, the emphasis remains less on results and more on which players will be ready when the games count.
Calgary closes out the preseason this week against Seattle, Vancouver, and Winnipeg before opening the regular season October 8 in Edmonton against the Oilers, last year’s Western Conference champions.
Canadian sports fans now find themselves in one of the best stretches of the calendar: the Blue Jays preparing for October baseball and the Flames moving closer to opening night.
Flames Prospects Hold Off Oilers 5–4 to Sweep NextGen Showcase
CALGARY — The Calgary Flames prospects capped the NextGen Showcase with a 5–4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome, sweeping the weekend home-and-home series between the provincial rivals.
Edmonton struck first just over two minutes in, when Tommy Lafrenière (#54) converted from the slot to give the visitors an early lead. Calgary answered late in the opening frame. Mael Lavigne (#85) tied the game at 1–1, finishing a play set up by Kadon McCann (#73) and Simon Mack (#88).
The first period also featured a heavy hit from defenseman Mace’o Phillips (#92) that energized the crowd, as well as a key stop from goaltender Arsenii Sergeev (#40) to keep the game even heading into intermission.
Second Period
Nathan Brisson (#82) put Calgary ahead midway through the period, converting on a rush created by Jacob Battaglia (#60), with Mack earning his second assist of the night. Matvei Gridin (#51) then extended the lead, hammering a one-timer home off feeds from Carter King (#95) and Sam Honzek (#29).
Lafrenière responded with his second of the game on an Edmonton power play, cutting the Flames’ lead to 3–2 after forty minutes.
Third Period
Calgary wasted little time adding insurance. At 2:51, Colton Alain (#71) snapped a shot from the high slot after a setup by David Silye (#83) and Aydar Suniev (#36) to make it 4–2.
Edmonton’s Josh Samanski replied minutes later, finishing off a setup from Quinn Hutson to make it 4–3, but the Flames restored their cushion on the power play. Hunter Laing (#53) finished off a passing play from Parker Bell (#87) and Suniev to push the lead to 5–3.
Von Richter’s point shot brought Edmonton back within one, but Sergeev shut the door in the dying seconds. With the Oilers pressing and their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Calgary held firm through a frantic scramble in front to seal the win.
Top Performers
Nathan Brisson (CGY): Scored the go-ahead goal in the second and added an assist.
Simon Mack (CGY): Two assists, steady presence on the back end.
Aydar Suniev (CGY): Involved in multiple plays, including a key setup on the Laing power-play goal.
Hunter Laing (CGY): Power-play goal that ultimately stood up as the game-winner.
Tommy Lafrenière (EDM): Two goals to pace the Oilers’ attack and keep them within striking distance.
Arsenii Sergeev (CGY): Steady in net, closing the door during a wild final scramble.
Final Score: Flames 5, Oilers 4
What’s Next
The NHL preseason begins next weekend. On Saturday, September 20, the Dallas Stars host the St. Louis Blues (5 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. ET). The following day is a busy one across the league, with 14 games on the schedule, including split-squad matchups between the Flames and Oilers. Both games are set for Sunday, September 21, with puck drop at 6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET.