<p><em class="text-lg italic">Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!</em></p>
<p>Typically, games between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild are snoozers. Low event, low-scoring, and if you don&#8217;t enjoy positional defensive battles, you might be in for a long night.</p>
<p>On Saturday night, though, there was an uncharacteristically, uh, wild game between the Flames and the Wild. The Flames managed to spot themselves a lead and hold on for a 5-4 victory in Minnesota.</p>
<h1>The rundown</h1>
<p>The opening period was the stereotypical &#8220;Flames vs. Wild&#8221; game, in terms of tight-checking and low-event. Neither team could really get their mojo going. Both teams got first period goals, though.</p>
<p>After Blake Coleman drew a minor, the Flames struggled to gain the offensive zone for almost their entire man advantage. But they managed to get a late scoring chance and converted on it, as Andrei Kuzmenko deflected a Nazem Kadri feed past Marc-Andre Fleury – Kuzmenko was parked right around the low slot – and that made it 1-0 Flames.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥</p>
<p>Andrei Kuzmenko scores on the power play! The Flames take an early lead! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/9dV4Q52Jrf">pic.twitter.com/9dV4Q52Jrf</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883311737342214636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>But a little later, the Wild got one back off the rush. Joel Eriksson Ek got the puck on his stick in the high slot, and his quick wrist shot beat Dustin Wolf high glove side to tie the game at 1-1.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="nl" dir="ltr">Joel Eriksson Ek rips a shot past Dustin Wolf. </p>
<p>Tie game. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/rkuftXjpKq">pic.twitter.com/rkuftXjpKq</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883312671539556738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Wild made a push as the period continued, but the Flames defended well.</p>
<p>First period shots were 5-5. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 4-3 Wild (high-danger chances were 1-0 Flames).</p>
<p>The Wild continued to push early in the second period, but the Flames continued to defend.</p>
<p>Wild forward Jakub Lauko crushed Kevin Bahl from behind along the end boards in the Flames&#8217; end. It was called a major on the ice, reviewed by the officials and reduced to a minor penalty.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jakub Lauko hits Kevin Bahl from behind. That is the type of hit the NHL needs to eliminate. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/5Eh1KQjVWS">pic.twitter.com/5Eh1KQjVWS</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883323937515548968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>A little later in the period, Lauko answered the bell and fought Ryan Lomberg. The game remained fairly feisty for the remainder, with scrums after most whistles – especially around the nets.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a tilt between Ryan Lomberg and Jakub Lauko!</p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/kFfg2xPc27">pic.twitter.com/kFfg2xPc27</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883326882634141979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Wild turned the puck over and the Flames managed to take advantage. Martin Pospisil had a rush chance that Fleury stopped. Kuzmenko chased the loose puck down and his shot was stopped by Fleury, but Pospisil grabbed the rebound and beat Fleury to give the Flames a 2-1 lead.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥</p>
<p>Martin Pospisil doesn&#39;t give up on the play and he scores his first goal in 25 games! </p>
<p>It&#39;s 2-1 Flames! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/xdVMA4TP8z">pic.twitter.com/xdVMA4TP8z</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883328097426272338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Late in the second period, Matt Coronato drew a minor on the forecheck in the Minnesota end. On the resulting power play, Rasmus Andersson took advantage of a net-front scramble and beat Fleury to give the Flames a 3-1 lead.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The staredowns continue! 😂</p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Q7TfpxBBt">pic.twitter.com/4Q7TfpxBBt</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883333114149404821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Second period shots were 14-8 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances 9-9 (high-danger chances were 4-3 Flames).</p>
<p>The third period was pretty scrambly and back and forth, as the Wild opened up a bit to try to generate some offence.</p>
<p>Clark Bishop scored on a rush sequence to give the Flames a 4-1 lead, beating Fleury over the shoulder with a nice shot.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥</p>
<p>Clark Bishop scores his first goal as a Calgary Flame!! That&#39;s his first NHL goal in 2,242 days! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/ObKvmGKn5N">pic.twitter.com/ObKvmGKn5N</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883342639116030010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>With Coleman in the penalty box, Wolf made a bit stop on Ryan Hartman but Freddie Gaudreau scored on the rebound to cut the Flames&#8217; lead to 4-2.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Minnesota cuts the Calgary lead to two. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/CyghxBjY1B">pic.twitter.com/CyghxBjY1B</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883343694553845818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>However, as they were announcing the Gaudreau goal in-arena, Kuzmenko scored on a nifty wrap-around sequence off the rush to give the Flames a 5-2 lead. (Kuzmenko&#8217;s goal was 14 seconds after the Wild scored.)</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥</p>
<p>Andrei Kuzmenko scores a beautiful wraparound goal! That&#39;s Kuzmenko&#39;s 2nd goal of the game! </p>
<p>It&#39;s 5-2 Flames! </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/zBU8EoQz2j">pic.twitter.com/zBU8EoQz2j</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883344205764018582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Wild kept pressing, though, and made the game very close.</p>
<p>First, Marcus Foligno beat Wolf with a wrist shot to cut the Flames&#8217; lead to 5-3.</p>
<p>With Fleury on the bench for the extra attacker, Mats Zuccarello parked himself around the blue paint and redirected a shot from Jared Spurgeon past Wolf to cut the Flames&#8217; lead to 5-4.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Minnesota scores two quick goals. It&#39;s a 5-4 game with 27 seconds remaining. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mnwild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mnwild</a> <a href="https://t.co/qGBubmu2ih">pic.twitter.com/qGBubmu2ih</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883346682722828403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Flames managed to fend off the Wild attack – and Nazem Kadri nearly scored on an empty net from his own slot and Jakob Pelletier beat out an icing – and held on for the 5-4 victory.</p>
<p>Third period shots were 12-10 Wild. Five-on-five scoring chances were 10-5 Wild (high-danger chances were 4-1 Wild).</p>
<h1>Why the Flames won</h1>
<p>Neither team was all that good in the first period. The Flames were quite good in the second period and most of the third period; they used their speed and structure well, and it wasn&#8217;t until the Wild really opened things up late in the third period that they managed to really test Dustin Wolf.</p>
<p>The Flames battled and I&#8217;m sure there&#8217;s things they would like to improve upon – allowing a bit less from the Wild in the final period, no doubt – but they earned the two points.</p>
<h1>Red Warrior</h1>
<p>Let&#8217;s go with Rasmus Andersson, who had a goal and a couple of roughing minors. He played a ton, was really physically engaged, and was one of the Flames&#8217; best players.</p>
<h1>Turning point</h1>
<p>We&#8217;ll single out Andersson&#8217;s goal at the end of the second period. If the Flames enter the third period with a one goal lead, they have virtually no margin for error. Andersson gave them some crucial breathing room.</p>
<h1>This and that</h1>
<p>Here&#8217;s a snapshot of defenceman time on ice by period:</p>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>First</td>
<td>Second</td>
<td>Third</td>
<td>Total</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andersson</td>
<td>9:34</td>
<td>7:03</td>
<td>7:53</td>
<td>24:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bahl</td>
<td>8:22</td>
<td>1:50</td>
<td>0:00</td>
<td>10:12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weegar</td>
<td>7:41</td>
<td>8:46</td>
<td>9:36</td>
<td>26:03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Miromanov</td>
<td>6:46</td>
<td>6:01</td>
<td>7:34</td>
<td>20:21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hanley</td>
<td>3:01</td>
<td>6:53</td>
<td>7:36</td>
<td>17:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pachal</td>
<td>3:05</td>
<td>5:40</td>
<td>7:21</td>
<td>16:06</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h1>Up next</h1>
<p>The Flames (24-16-7) are headed to Winnipeg. They close out this back-to-back set on Sunday evening against the Jets.</p>
<h1>This article is brought to you by Platinum Mitsubishi</h1>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-138031" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2099/08/Platinum-Mitsubishi-NDS-Screen-Res-1.png" alt="" width="414" height="140" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2099/08/Platinum-Mitsubishi-NDS-Screen-Res-1.png 414w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2099/08/Platinum-Mitsubishi-NDS-Screen-Res-1-300x101.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px" /></p>
<p>This article is a Presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the best warranty in the business with ten year warranties available. Check out the showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at <a href="http://www.mitsu.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mitsu.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1737766788077000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IDdhb5Us0lSTEz-MS7q_U">www.mitsu.ca</a></p>


<em class="text-lg italic">Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!</em>

Typically, games between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild are snoozers. Low event, low-scoring, and if you don't enjoy positional defensive battles, you might be in for a long night.

On Saturday night, though, there was an uncharacteristically, uh, wild game between the Flames and the Wild. The Flames managed to spot themselves a lead and hold on for a 5-4 victory in Minnesota.
<h1>The rundown</h1>
The opening period was the stereotypical "Flames vs. Wild" game, in terms of tight-checking and low-event. Neither team could really get their mojo going. Both teams got first period goals, though.

After Blake Coleman drew a minor, the Flames struggled to gain the offensive zone for almost their entire man advantage. But they managed to get a late scoring chance and converted on it, as Andrei Kuzmenko deflected a Nazem Kadri feed past Marc-Andre Fleury – Kuzmenko was parked right around the low slot – and that made it 1-0 Flames.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883311737342214636

But a little later, the Wild got one back off the rush. Joel Eriksson Ek got the puck on his stick in the high slot, and his quick wrist shot beat Dustin Wolf high glove side to tie the game at 1-1.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883312671539556738

The Wild made a push as the period continued, but the Flames defended well.

First period shots were 5-5. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 4-3 Wild (high-danger chances were 1-0 Flames).

The Wild continued to push early in the second period, but the Flames continued to defend.

Wild forward Jakub Lauko crushed Kevin Bahl from behind along the end boards in the Flames' end. It was called a major on the ice, reviewed by the officials and reduced to a minor penalty.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883323937515548968

A little later in the period, Lauko answered the bell and fought Ryan Lomberg. The game remained fairly feisty for the remainder, with scrums after most whistles – especially around the nets.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883326882634141979

The Wild turned the puck over and the Flames managed to take advantage. Martin Pospisil had a rush chance that Fleury stopped. Kuzmenko chased the loose puck down and his shot was stopped by Fleury, but Pospisil grabbed the rebound and beat Fleury to give the Flames a 2-1 lead.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883328097426272338

Late in the second period, Matt Coronato drew a minor on the forecheck in the Minnesota end. On the resulting power play, Rasmus Andersson took advantage of a net-front scramble and beat Fleury to give the Flames a 3-1 lead.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883333114149404821

Second period shots were 14-8 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances 9-9 (high-danger chances were 4-3 Flames).

The third period was pretty scrambly and back and forth, as the Wild opened up a bit to try to generate some offence.

Clark Bishop scored on a rush sequence to give the Flames a 4-1 lead, beating Fleury over the shoulder with a nice shot.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883342639116030010

With Coleman in the penalty box, Wolf made a bit stop on Ryan Hartman but Freddie Gaudreau scored on the rebound to cut the Flames' lead to 4-2.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883343694553845818

However, as they were announcing the Gaudreau goal in-arena, Kuzmenko scored on a nifty wrap-around sequence off the rush to give the Flames a 5-2 lead. (Kuzmenko's goal was 14 seconds after the Wild scored.)

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883344205764018582

The Wild kept pressing, though, and made the game very close.

First, Marcus Foligno beat Wolf with a wrist shot to cut the Flames' lead to 5-3.

With Fleury on the bench for the extra attacker, Mats Zuccarello parked himself around the blue paint and redirected a shot from Jared Spurgeon past Wolf to cut the Flames' lead to 5-4.

https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1883346682722828403

The Flames managed to fend off the Wild attack – and Nazem Kadri nearly scored on an empty net from his own slot and Jakob Pelletier beat out an icing – and held on for the 5-4 victory.

Third period shots were 12-10 Wild. Five-on-five scoring chances were 10-5 Wild (high-danger chances were 4-1 Wild).
<h1>Why the Flames won</h1>
Neither team was all that good in the first period. The Flames were quite good in the second period and most of the third period; they used their speed and structure well, and it wasn't until the Wild really opened things up late in the third period that they managed to really test Dustin Wolf.

The Flames battled and I'm sure there's things they would like to improve upon – allowing a bit less from the Wild in the final period, no doubt – but they earned the two points.
<h1>Red Warrior</h1>
Let's go with Rasmus Andersson, who had a goal and a couple of roughing minors. He played a ton, was really physically engaged, and was one of the Flames' best players.
<h1>Turning point</h1>
We'll single out Andersson's goal at the end of the second period. If the Flames enter the third period with a one goal lead, they have virtually no margin for error. Andersson gave them some crucial breathing room.
<h1>This and that</h1>
Here's a snapshot of defenceman time on ice by period:
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>First</td>
<td>Second</td>
<td>Third</td>
<td>Total</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andersson</td>
<td>9:34</td>
<td>7:03</td>
<td>7:53</td>
<td>24:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bahl</td>
<td>8:22</td>
<td>1:50</td>
<td>0:00</td>
<td>10:12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weegar</td>
<td>7:41</td>
<td>8:46</td>
<td>9:36</td>
<td>26:03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Miromanov</td>
<td>6:46</td>
<td>6:01</td>
<td>7:34</td>
<td>20:21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hanley</td>
<td>3:01</td>
<td>6:53</td>
<td>7:36</td>
<td>17:30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pachal</td>
<td>3:05</td>
<td>5:40</td>
<td>7:21</td>
<td>16:06</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h1>Up next</h1>
The Flames (24-16-7) are headed to Winnipeg. They close out this back-to-back set on Sunday evening against the Jets.
<h1>This article is brought to you by Platinum Mitsubishi</h1>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-138031" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2099/08/Platinum-Mitsubishi-NDS-Screen-Res-1.png" alt="" width="414" height="140" />

This article is a Presentation of Platinum Mitsubishi, family owned and operated by lifelong Calgarians. Home of the best warranty in the business with ten year warranties available. Check out the showroom at 2720 Barlow Trail NE or online at <a href="http://www.mitsu.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mitsu.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1737766788077000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IDdhb5Us0lSTEz-MS7q_U">www.mitsu.ca</a>

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Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) takes a shot on goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena.

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