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