Flames Capture Victory Over Arch-Rival Oilers Before Olympic Pause
The Calgary Flames delivered a memorable performance Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, defeating their provincial rivals the Edmonton Oilers with a final score of 4-3. This hard-fought victory sends the Flames into the Olympic break on a positive note, having secured bragging rights in the Battle of Alberta for the 2025-26 season.
Key Performances Lead to Flames Success
Backup goaltender Devin Cooley stood tall between the pipes, making an impressive 36 saves against the high-powered Oilers offense. Cooley's performance was particularly noteworthy given his difficult history against Edmonton, having been pulled from a previous start against them after allowing eight goals. This time, he earned his first career assist while frustrating Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, who failed to score on any of his eight shots.
Ryan Lomberg proved to be the hero of the night, scoring the game-winning goal in the third period to break a deadlock. The fourth-line forward's timely contribution marked his first game-winning tally in two seasons, bringing visible joy to the player known for his consistent smile.
Supporting Cast Makes Significant Contributions
The Flames received offensive support from multiple sources throughout the contest. Jonathan Huberdeau, Matvei Gridin, and Connor Zary all found the back of the net before Lomberg's decisive marker. Gridin's performance was especially notable as the young forward recorded his first multi-point game in the National Hockey League.
Veteran center Nazem Kadri contributed two assists, as did defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Zach Whitecloud. This balanced offensive attack proved crucial against an Oilers team that received two goals from Leon Draisaitl but couldn't overcome the Flames' determined effort.
Redemption and Resilience Define the Victory
For Devin Cooley, Wednesday's performance represented a significant personal redemption. The 28-year-old goaltender reflected on his previous disastrous outing against Edmonton, recalling a 9-1 loss where he was pulled after allowing eight goals. His strong showing in this contest demonstrated both personal growth and professional resilience.
"I'm glad I was able to get some redemption," Cooley said after the game. "I'm glad that tonight went a lot better than that one." His positive attitude and consistent performance this season have provided stability for the Flames despite their challenging position in the overall NHL standings.
Looking Ahead to the Olympic Break
With this victory, the Flames enter the Olympic break with a record of 23 wins, 27 losses, and 6 overtime losses. While their position in the standings remains difficult, this win against their arch-rival provides momentum and positive energy as players prepare for time away from regular season competition.
Lomberg captured the significance of the rivalry victory, stating, "It's the Battle of Alberta, best rivalry in hockey. It's always easy to get up for these ones. And obviously, you love scoring on them and watching them lose." This sentiment reflects the intense provincial competition that makes these matchups particularly meaningful for players and fans alike.
The up-tempo, entertaining contest at the Saddledome showcased the best of what the Battle of Alberta represents: intense competition, skilled performances, and the unpredictable nature of hockey rivalry games. As both teams now pause for the Olympic break, the Flames can enjoy this victory while preparing for the challenges that await when regular season play resumes.
