Flames Close Season with 3-1 Win Over Kings
The Calgary Flames closed out the regular season with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. All eyes were on rookie netminder Arsenii Sergeev, who made his first NHL start and took a solo lap during warmups. He was tested early, facing 10 shots in the opening period, but held his ground to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Flames broke through on the power play early in the second. At 5:21, Matvei Gridin fired a cross-seam pass to Morgan Frost, who got a piece of it in front and redirected it past Anton Forsberg for his 22nd of the season. Matt Coronato picked up the secondary assist to make it 1-0.
Los Angeles answered quickly. Just over a minute later at 6:43, Quinton Byfield found space in front and buried a feed from Trevor Moore past Sergeev. Alex Laferrière also assisted as the game was tied 1-1.
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The difference came in the third. At 6:08, Zayne Parekh created his own lane, spinning off a defender along the wall before stepping in and wiring a wrist shot top corner from distance. His fourth of the year put Calgary back in front 2-1, with assists from Zach Whitecloud and Ryan Strome.
Joel Farabee sealed it late, scoring into the empty net at 19:20 for his 20th of the season, with Strome adding another assist. Sergeev finished with 27 saves on 28 shots to earn the win in his NHL debut. © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Three Takeaways: Sergeev delivers in debut The rookie looked composed from the start.