NHL: Devin Cooley, Flames turn aside Blues in shootout

Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin scored in a shootout to give the Calgary Flames a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

After Calgary failed to convert on a power play in overtime, the Flames made two of their three attempts in the shootout, while goalie Devin Cooley stopped both of the Blues’ tries.

Connor Zary scored in regulation for Calgary (27-34-7, 61 points), helping the team overcome three goals that were erased due to coach’s challenges. Cooley finished with 26 saves, edging Joel Hofer, who stopped 30 of 31 shots before the shootout.

The win marked Calgary’s first over St. Louis in nine meetings.

Dylan Holloway scored for the Blues (27-30-11, 65 points), who have gone 7-2-2 since the Olympic break, keeping their playoff hopes alive. St. Louis remains six points out of a playoff spot with 14 games remaining.

Zary opened the scoring just 2:34 into the first period, snapping a 10-game goal drought with a backhand shot after a rush play. Holloway, a Calgary native, evened the score at 3:47 of the second period, firing a quick shot past Cooley on a 2-on-1 break.

Calgary had two potential first-period goals called back—one for offside and one for an uncalled high stick—and another midway through the second was also overturned due to offside.

St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery became the first NHL coach in nearly three years to win three challenges in a single game, a feat last accomplished by Edmonton’s Jay Woodcroft on March 20, 2023. -Field Level Media/Reuters