Calgary Flames defeat New Jersey Devils 3-0
Calgary Flames’ Dan Vladar Shuts Out Former Teammate Jacob Markstrom in Victory
In a highly anticipated matchup, Dan Vladar faced off against his former goaltending partner Jacob Markstrom for the first time and emerged victorious with a shutout performance. The Calgary Flames ended their four-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday, thanks to Vladar’s stellar play between the pipes.
Vladar, who made 22 saves in the game, expressed his satisfaction with the win, especially against Markstrom. The 27-year-old goaltender credited Flames goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera for preparing him for the challenge of facing his friend and former teammate.
Throughout the game, Vladar remained focused and made crucial saves, including denying Jack Hughes on a breakaway in the second period. Despite the pressure of playing against familiar faces, Vladar maintained his composure and improved his season record to 3-2-1.
The Flames, who had struggled in recent games, showcased a much-improved effort against the Devils. Forward Blake Coleman, a former Devil himself, scored twice in the game, with his second goal serving as the game-winner. Coleman emphasized the significance of competing against former teammates and praised Vladar for his outstanding performance.
Mikael Backlund, who was honoured for playing in his 1,000th game, contributed to Coleman’s game-winning goal with an assist. The Flames captain lauded Vladar’s solid play and expressed his happiness for the goaltender’s success.
As the game remained tied late into the third period, Vladar’s confidence never wavered, believing that his team would eventually score. With the win over the Devils, Vladar’s impressive form has put him in contention for the starting role in upcoming games.
Looking ahead to their next game against the Edmonton Oilers, Flames coach Ryan Huska acknowledged the strong competition between Vladar and rookie Dustin Wolf for the starting position. Huska praised the tandem’s performance and highlighted the healthy competition between the two goaltenders.
This article, originally published by The Canadian Press on November 1, 2024, captures the thrilling victory of the Calgary Flames and Dan Vladar’s standout performance against his former teammate Jacob Markstrom.
