Dustin Wolf is accustomed to hearing his critics insist that his size could hold him back.
So this was a nice compliment.
On Friday night, in the early stages of what turned out to be his first NHL shutout, the Calgary Flames’ rising-star goalie extended his right leg and then held it firmly in place to prevent Nashville Predators forward Gustav Nyqvist from putting away a rebound.
After the whistle was blown, the opponents were spotted sharing a chuckle.
It’s no secret that this 27-year-old Russian has plenty of offensive ability.
With Miromanov, the biggest question has been whether he is reliable enough to maintain his spot in the Flames’ top-four.
He has played nearly 90% of his five-on-five minutes this fall alongside Weegar, although he has also been healthy-scratched on a pair of occasions.
Weegar, whose monster stat-line Friday included four shots, four blocks, four takeaways, two hits and one assist, figures Miromanov’s icebreaker against the Predators will provide a further boost.
THIS WAS UGLY …
As the Flames are watching Sunday’s Grey Cup game, they could be struck by an idea …
‘Hang on, you can decline penalties?!?’
Unlike their friends in football, hockey coaches don’t have that option. But the way the Flames’ power-play has been sputtering over the past few weeks, it would be something to consider.
During Friday’s middle stanza, the Flames frittered away a golden opportunity to claim a lead — or at least build some momentum — on an extended stretch of five-on-three. Nashville’s Alexandre Carrier had been busted for holding and then Jeremy Lauzon flipped a puck over the glass only three seconds later.
With lopsided numbers for the next 1:57, the Flames managed just one shot on net. That was Jonathan Huberdeau’s harmless wrister from just inside the blue-line, measured as a 56-footer.
Yegor Sharangovich had two attempts blocked, while Rasmus Andersson wired a slapper wide of the target.
Asked afterward what wasn’t working on that two-man advantage, Huska replied: “Everything.”
The Flames’ power-play now ranks 30th in the league at 13.5%. (The New York Islanders, sitting 31st, will visit the Saddledome on Tuesday.)