CALGARY — Yegor Sharangovich’s goal-scoring prowess was on full display as he scored in his fifth consecutive game, helping the Calgary Flames secure a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. The victory ended the Flames’ four-game losing streak and brought a much-needed boost to the team.
MacKenzie Weegar, A.J. Greer, and Connor Zary also scored for the Flames (12-14-5), with goalie Dan Vladar making 31 saves. “We played hard,” Weegar said, praising the team’s collective effort and consistent performance throughout the game.
The Lightning (14-13-5), with Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point finding the net and Nikita Kucherov providing two assists, couldn’t sustain momentum, losing two of their last three games. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves in a losing effort.
Greer gave Calgary an early lead in the second period, followed by Weegar’s goal that matched his career-high of eight, set last season with the Florida Panthers. “I thought that was probably our best period of the year,” Weegar remarked about the team’s second-period performance.
Sharangovich extended the Flames’ lead with a one-timer, continuing his impressive run of form. “When I get the chance to take a shot, I try to shoot and try to score,” Sharangovich explained, highlighting his approach to finding the back of the net.
The Lightning staged a third-period comeback with goals from Point and Stamkos, but Calgary held firm. Zary’s goal in the latter part of the third period sealed the win for the Flames. “Bottom line is we’ve got to be better as a whole,” said Victor Hedman, the Lightning defenseman.
NOTES:
- Sharangovich, acquired from the New Jersey Devils, matched a record for the longest goal streak by a player in their first season with Calgary.
- Zary and Weegar are on three-game point streaks, each contributing four points.
- Steven Stamkos reached a significant milestone with his 400th NHL power-play point, becoming one of seven active players to achieve this feat.
The Flames will look to build on this victory, while the Lightning aim to regroup and return to winning ways in their upcoming NHL games.
