In Calgary, the Flames squandered a two-goal lead after 20 minutes, but managed to recover and pot two more in the third period for a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.
David Rittich made 22 saves in the win.
“It’s huge for us, obviously,” Rittich said. “We can’t look at the standings or how many games remaining. We have to play every single game to win. That’s the way we have to look at it and how we have to play.”
After the Jets tied the game, 2-2, in the middle frame, Andrew Mangiapane and Sam Bennett posted third period markers to get the Flames the win.
“We finally caught a break,” Flames coach Darryl Sutter said. “We haven’t had much puck luck at all this whole stretch. We haven’t had any puck luck. When you don’t have a lot of that pure goal scorer, you need to get that break once and a while, and we got it.”
Logan Stanley and Mason Appleton scored for the Jets in the second period .
“I don’t know this to be a fact, but it feels like we’re if not the best, one of the best third-period teams in the NHL,” the Jets’ Blake Wheeler said. “Our goal after the first period was to win the second and give ourselves a chance because we are a good third period team. It just wasn’t the night tonight.”
The Flames Josh Leivo and Mark Giordano scored in the first period for a 2-0 lead.
The Flames improved to 16-17-5.
“We’re fighting for our season,” Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau said. “Every game’s important; we can’t afford to lose any games. We take it one game at a time, but looking at the standings, we can’t afford to lose. It’s nice to get a win.”
Laurent Brossoit made 29 saves in the loss.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to get that one,” Stanley said. “It’s something you dream of as a kid, playing your first NHL game, and scoring a goal in the NHL. That was pretty cool. I would’ve liked a better result for the team, but we’ll come back Monday with another good game.”
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