Sharangovich, Coleman Shine as Calgary Flames Fall 5-3 to Kings

It was a game lacking in animosity but abundant in rapid transition on Saturday night as the Calgary Flames fell 5-3 to the LA Kings. While the result wasn’t ideal for Flames fans, tremendous play from Blake Coleman (2G), Yegor Sharangovich (1A), and a brilliant third period from goaltender Jacob Markstrom gave the fanbase something to enjoy before the Christmas break.  

The LA Kings opened the scoring off a set play. Kings center Anze Kopitar won the draw, sending the puck back to Drew Doughty at the blue line. Doughty waited a moment for a screen to line up, then sent the puck over to Quentin Byfield. The second overall pick in 2020 fired a slapshot that trickled through goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s five hole and in. 

The Flames answered back 1:46 later on a play that kicked off with a strong effort by Andrew Mangiapane to protect the puck off the rush. After a moment of playing “keep away” with Kings defenceman Jacob Moverare, Mangiapane set up Mikael Backlund with the puck who then sent it over to Rasmus Andersson. The 6-foot-0 Swede fired a puck short side that handcuffed goaltender Cam Talbot’s glove before bouncing into the net.  

Later in the period, the Kings would regain the lead off a Pierre Luc Dubois tip from a Jordan Spence shot. The shot initially took an upward trajectory and suddenly bounced to the bottom-right corner.  

The Flames struck early in the second to tie the game at 2-2 off a turnover forced by Flames forward Blake Coleman. The Texan winger took off heading towards the Kings net, sent a pass to Yegor Sharangovich, who deked around shutdown center Phillip Daneault and then returned the puck to Coleman, who potted his fourth shorthanded goal of December. Following the puck going into the net, Coleman crashed into Talbot, who needed a moment with Kings trainers before getting back to his feet. 

Minutes later, the Kings re-took the lead on a backdoor play started on a Drew Doughty pass and finished by 22-year-old Alex LaFerriere. Markstrom did his best to sprawl in front of the shot but fell victim to an extreme angle.  

The Kings doubled their lead shortly after LaFerriere’s goal on a Trevor Moore solo effort. The Kings winger walked up the right side alone and fired a lightning-quick snap shot over Markstrom’s shoulder and into the net. 

The Flames began a rally push in the early third period with a power play goal scored by, once again, Blake Coleman. Adam Ruzicka put a shot low, and the red-hot Flames winger pounced on the rebound. This style of rebound setup has been a common power play strategy for the Calgary Flames in December.

Blake Coleman brings Calgary back within 1, stashing home Ruzicka's power play rebound!#Flames pic.twitter.com/zFUvKOlWmJ

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 24, 2023

Despite a phenomenal effort from goaltender Jacob Markstrom in the third period, the Kings would seal the game with an empty net goal from Quentin Byfield. Kings winger Adrian Kempe sent a layup down the middle, and the 21-year-old overtook the swift-skating Noah Hanifin for a clean shot at the yawning cage. 

The Flames now enter the Christmas break with a 14-15-5 record. Calgary will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 27, against the 12-14-9 Seattle Kraken.