PENTICTON, B.C. — The Flames rallied from being down 2-0 and 3-2 but ultimately fell to the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime during their opening match of the 2024 Young Stars Classic on Friday.
Calgary’s goals came from Sam Morton, Hunter Laing, and Jaden Lipinski, while Dimitri Kuzmin clinched the victory for the Jets with 1:37 left in the overtime period.
Winnipeg took an early 2-0 lead, scoring first at 4:43 when Nikita Chibrikov capitalized on a loose puck in the Calgary zone, firing it home from the slot.
Connor Levis extended the Jets’ advantage with a one-timer from close range just 79 seconds later.
As the first period progressed, the Flames began to find their rhythm, outshooting Winnipeg 9-8.
Calgary’s best chances in the opening period came midway through when Luke Misa took the puck from a Jets defender and attempted to slide it past Milic’s left leg. Lipinski then forced Milic to make a quick stick save on a one-timer with just over eight minutes remaining.
In the second period, the Flames converted their opportunities into goals, tying the game within the first seven minutes.
Morton got Calgary on the scoreboard at 2:20, firing a shot past Milic from the left wing after his initial cross-ice pass bounced back to him.
The Minnesota State alumnus then turned playmaker four and a half minutes later, sending a pass from behind the net to defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz in the slot. Brzustewicz’s shot was redirected by Laing into an open net.
Parker Bell came close to putting Calgary ahead later in the frame, finding space in the slot during a Flames rush, but his shot went just over Milic’s crossbar, leaving the score tied after two periods.
Calgary outshot Winnipeg 10-5 in the second period.
Sam-I-Am! pic.twitter.com/MyC99am769
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 14, 2024
Right place, right time. pic.twitter.com/LdIkpZ6yzE
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 14, 2024
Winnipeg regained the lead 3:35 into the third period when Jacob Julien scored a power-play goal, redirecting a strong pass from linemate Brad Lambert past Flames goalie Connor Murphy.
However, the Flames capitalized on special teams – particularly a short-handed rush – seven minutes later. Lucas Ciona created space down the left wing, and after a cross-crease pass was deflected into the crease, Lipinski quickly jumped in and poked the puck into the net, leveling the score at 3-3.
Morton made his presence felt in the overtime period right from the opening faceoff, delivering a solid hit on Jets forward Brad Lambert.
Yet, Winnipeg sealed the game a few minutes later with a two-man breakaway, as Kuzmin received a cross-ice pass from Colby Barlow and fired the puck past Murphy for the game-winner.
Overall, Calgary outshot Winnipeg 23-19. The Flames went 0-for-1 on the power play, while the Jets converted one of their three opportunities.
Shorthanded? No problem! pic.twitter.com/BfhEVU7sI2
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 14, 2024
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