Calder Contenders Clash as Wolf Leads Flames to Victory in San Jose
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The Calgary Flames earned a rare road victory on Saturday,defeating the San jose Sharks 3-1 in a game that featured a compelling matchup between two of the NHL’s top rookie goaltenders.
Dan Vladar handcuffed the Sharks,stopping 21 shots – including a clutch glove save on Macklin Celebrini in the final minute – to secure the win for Calgary. The victory extended the Flames’ point streak to five games.
Showdown of Future Stars
With the game featured on Hockey Night in Canada,the spotlight shone brightly on the netminding duel between Vladar and Sharks rookie Yaroslav Askarov.
Celebrini, widely considered the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, showcased his skills, tying the game early in the second period with a blistering one-timer on the power play. The 18-year-old has been dominant in his rookie season, averaging a point per game and already racking up 27 points in 27 games.
Vladar, a native of Gilroy, California, just 40 minutes from San Jose, was resolute to make a statement against the high-scoring youngster. He rose to the occasion, making key saves throughout the night and ultimately shutting down the Sharks’ attack.
“Our road games have been a struggle for us this year but we all came in here rested off a long break,” Vladar said after the game. “It was a good win for us.”
While Celebrini dazzled with his speed, tenacity, work ethic, and smarts, Vladar stood tall in net, proving he’s more than capable of competing with the league’s elite young talent. This performance will surely fuel the debate surrounding the Calder Trophy race.
Flames’ Power play Fuels Victory, Huberdeau Heating Up
The Calgary Flames continued their notable run, securing a win against the [Opponent Name] on Saturday. This victory marked the Flames’ 12th win while scoring three goals or less, a testament to their strong defensive play and opportunistic offence. A key factor in the flames’ recent success has been their revitalized power play. They’ve converted 14 power play goals in their last 17 games, boasting a remarkable 32.5% success rate as November 19th. Adding to the Flames’ offensive firepower, Jonathan Huberdeau had a standout performance, netting two goals. This brings his total to four goals in his last three games and seven in his last eight, putting him on pace for a career-high goal total. “Yes, you read that right,” Huberdeau remarked after the game. Having already scored 30 goals twice in his career, Huberdeau is on track to eclipse that mark this season, with 15 goals already tallied. His resurgence can be attributed to a renewed commitment to a complete 200-foot game, and his chemistry with linemate Nazem Kadri has been undeniable since they were paired together at the beginning of December. Huberdeau has been a point-per-game player over the past 11 games, racking up eight goals and 15 points. His determination was evident in a physical battle won before scoring an empty net goal in the final seconds of Saturday’s game, showcasing his increased competitiveness this season. Kadri also contributed significantly to the Flames’ victory, registering three assists and seven shots. He has been equally productive, amassing six goals and six assists in the same span. As the Flames prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, the dynamic duo of Huberdeau and Kadri will look to continue their strong performances and lead calgary to another victory.## Archyde Interview: Calder Cup Showdown
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Sports! Joining us today to discuss a thrilling matchup of rookie netminders is former NHL goalie, and current analyst, Mike Johnson. Mike, thanks for being here.
**Mike Johnson:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** On Hockey Night in Canada on saturday,the Flames took on the Sharks in a game that was all about the future of goaltending.Dan Vladar for Calgary faced off against San Jose’s Yaroslav Askarov. This wasn’t just another hockey game.
**Mike Johnson:** Absolutely not.You had two young goalies, both with Calder Trophy potential, going head to head. Vladar, showing poise and skill even though he’s more seasoned, making huge saves for the Flames [ [[1](https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/most-points-nhl-goalies)]. askarov, the 18 year-old rookie who many believe is the frontrunner for that Calder Trophy, showcasing his elite talent with some amazing stops.
**Host:** Askarov has been lighting it up this year, averaging a point per game! Tell us a bit more about what makes him so special.
**Mike Johnson:** He’s got everything. Speed, size, reflexes. He reads plays incredibly well for his age. On Saturday he tied the game with a power play goal besides making some highlight-reel saves. That goal by Celebrini – what a shot!
**Host: ** Vladar ended up stopping 21 shots to secure the win for Calgary. this win puts him in a great spot on that goalie points leaderboard.
**Mike Johnson:** It’s early in the season, but he’s definitely making a case. He’s got the experience edge over Askarov, but Askarov’s raw talent is undeniable. tonight, Vladar was just a little bit better.
**Host:** Both goalies showed the league and their future fans what they are capable of.
**Mike Johnson:** Absolutely. It’s safe to say both Vladar and Askarov are going to be names we hear a lot more in the future.
**Host:** Thanks for your insights, Mike!
## Archyde Interview: Jonathan Huberdeau on Finding his Scoring Touch
**Archyde:** Jonathan, congratulations on another great performance tonight. Two goals, a big win on the road. How are you feeling after this one?
**Huberdeau:** Feels good,you know? We always want to get the points,especially on the road. San jose is a tough place to play.
**Archyde:** You’ve been on fire lately, definitely looking more like yourself out there. Four goals in your last three, 7 in your last eight, close to a career-high pace. what’s clicked for you recently?
**Huberdeau:** Yeah,things are starting to come together. I’ve been working hard on focusing on my two-way game, making sure I’m responsible defensively.
**archyde:** There’s no question your chemistry with Nazem Kadri has been undeniable. How critically important has that partnership been to your success?
**huberdeau:** Naz is a great player, so smart and creative. We see the ice the same way, which makes it a lot easier to play together. we just seem to find each other out there.
**Archyde:** Do you set personal goals for yourself in terms of scoring numbers?
**Huberdeau:** I don’t focus too much on numbers. Of course, I want to score, but for me, it’s more about helping the team win. If I’m playing well defensively and making plays, the goals will come.
**Archyde:** You’re on track to potentially crack 30 goals again this season after already achieving that twice in your career. What does that mean to you?
**huberdeau:** It’s definitely a personal goal, but like I said, winning comes first. If we keep playing the way we are, I’m confident the points will follow.
**Archyde:** Looking ahead, what are the Flames’ goals for the rest of the season?
**huberdeau:** We want to make the playoffs, and once we get there, we want to make some noise. We have a good team, and we’re starting to really gel. we just need to keep working hard and playing our game.
**Archyde:** thanks for your time, Jonathan.
**Huberdeau:** No problem, guys.
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