CALGARY — Thanks to Elias Lindholm‘s last-minute dramatics on Monday, there are two new entries in the Calgary Flames record book.
Lindholm’s game-winner with 46 seconds remaining extended his goal streak to eight games and the Flames’ winning streak to 10 games as Calgary defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-1.
Twice before, the Flames have won 10 games in a row. The last time was in 2016-17 with the streak beginning five years ago as of Monday. The other time was in 1978-79 when the franchise was still in Atlanta.
“Ten in a row is nice,” said Lindholm. “We were struggling a little bit there before we started this streak. It’s nice to see it go in. It was a tough game, it was tight. Not a lot of chances, but we stuck with it
Lindholm joins two others for the record of most consecutive games with a goal, equalling marks set by Gary Roberts (1992-93) and Kent Nilsson (1983-84) — both coming before Lindholm was born.
“It’s just a good feeling. You have confidence and you feel like you have a chance on every shot,” said Lindholm.
On the go-ahead goal, Kyle Connor mishandled the puck inside the Winnipeg blue line allowing the Flames to keep the puck in. Johnny Gaudreau hung on patiently before circling and sending a shot towards the front of the net that Lindholm deflected by Connor Hellebuyck.
“Quick transition, I just brought it back up the ice,” Gaudreau said. “I saw (Oliver Kylington) going back door and I saw (Lindholm) in front so I just chucked it there and great tip by Lindy.”
There will also be a fresh entry in the NHL record book after Calgary completed a perfect seven-game homestand. Never in league history has a team swept a homestand of seven or more games.
“It’s a blast,” said Gaudreau, talking about the mood coming to the rink right now. “Obviously, we’re winning games, we’re playing well, we’re doing better at practice. It’s nice that we get to stay in Calgary. We’ve been in Calgary for a while now.”
For Lindholm, it’s also three consecutive game-winning goals.
“Goal scoring is one thing, lots of guys are scoring goals, but don’t score big goals or at playoff time, don’t get scoring chances,” said Flames coach Darryl Sutter. “He scores big goals which usually translates into the next part.”
Lindholm thought he had scored halfway through the second, breaking a 1-1 tie. However, the Jets challenged for offside and, upon video review, the goal was overturned.
Little did Lindholm know at the time that he was the player in violation, crossing the blue line just before the puck.
“I didn’t see the offside goal until between periods and then I realized that I went offside,” Lindholm said with a smile.
The 27-year-old Swede has been the hottest Flames player during the streak which coincides with his 10-game point streak (nine goals, seven assists).
Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli, into an empty net, also scored for Calgary (30-13-6), which opens up a four-point lead on Las Vegas atop the Pacific Division. The Flames, who also hold two games in hand, return to action Thursday in Vancouver.
Dominic Toninato scored for Winnipeg (22-20-8). The Jets were opening up a four-game road trip that continues in Dallas on Wednesday.
“I’m sure we can find some positives. I think at this point of the year it’s about wins,” said Winnipeg centre Pierre-Luc Dubois. “Calgary’s a good team. Nobody thought it was going to be an easy game, but it could’ve gone either way tonight. Unfortunately it went their way. It’s a playoff race right now. Can’t be losing too many games.”
The Jets are seven points back of the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
“It’s hard when you’re 40 seconds away from at least getting a point but it’s a hard fought game,” said Winnipeg defenceman Nate Schmidt. “It was a good hockey game. There were a lot of chances for both teams and both goalies played well.”
In net, Jacob Markstrom made 22 stops for Calgary to improve to 23-10-5.
Connor Hellebuyck had 28 saves for Winnipeg. His record falls to 17-18-7.
“I think as a group we’re disappointed,” said Jets coach Dave Lowry. “We made a mistake and it ended up in the back of the net. We played a real solid, committed team game and there should be disappointment.”
NOTES: Winnipeg C Andrew Copp (upper body) missed his third game. … Calgary tweaked its lines with Milan Lucic moving up to play with Monahan and Toffoli while Dillon Dube dropped down to the fourth line with Adam Ruzicka and Trevor Lewis. … Calgary’s penalty kill is No. 1 at home, only allowing four power-play goals on 54 chances at the Saddledome.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2022.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
