Morgan Frost scored the Calgary Flames’ first of the afternoon.
He assisted on the second.
And while he didn’t officially factor on Saturday’s game-winning goal at the Saddledome, his boss wanted to be sure that Frost’s contribution on that shorthanded strike did not go unnoticed.
“When it was still four-on-four, with eight seconds left, Morgan went out and took that draw and won it,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska after his squad ended a string of five consecutive losses with a 3-2 triumph over the San Jose Sharks. “If we don’t get that draw, pretty good chance we’re staying in our zone and they’re starting their power-play there.”
Starting with what Huska described as Frost’s finest performance in the Flaming C, here are three takeaways from Saturday’s slump-buster …
Flames forward Morgan Frost scores on Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic during Saturday’s game.
Frost lifting
Frost’s stat-line against the Sharks showed a goal, an assist, 10 shot attempts, two penalties drawn and a 15-for-18 mark at the dot, including the successful swipe that ultimately led to Joel Farabee’s shortie in the early stages of the third. That 83.3 percent success rate is a new career-high.
“That’s the best that I’ve seen him play since he’s been with us,” Huska said of Frost, who one day earlier marked the first anniversary of his trade to Calgary. “The faceoff circle, he had pace to his game, he was setting people up, he was scoring goals …
“If you get that version of Morgan Frost every day, I think you’re pretty happy. He was excellent.”
Frost seems to be heating up, with three goals over a four-game span. That is big news for what is the NHL’s lowest-scoring outfit.
In Saturday’s opening frame, he cashed Matt Coronato’s rebound on a five-on-three advantage.
The 26-year-old pivot followed up with a gorgeous cross-ice feed to assist on Matvei Gridin’s tying tally in the second.
A clear indication of his brimming confidence, Frost also dipsy-doodled around Mario Ferraro on an offensive rush. Ferraro tripped him up as he blew past, sending the Flames to another power-play.
“It’s nice to produce, for sure,” Frost said after a first-star showing. “I was definitely going through a rough stretch before and just trying to build it back. I thought tonight was one of my better ones of the year.
“I think that’s always been the thing with me, though, is keeping it going for a long stretch of time. So I’m not going to be satisfied with that and hopefully continue to play that way for the last two before the (Olympic) break.”
Flames forward Matvei Gridin is chased by Sharks forward Alexander Wennberg.
The real deal
Gridin is going to do a good chunk of lamp-lighting at the NHL level.
Saturday’s marker was officially the second of his career, although he considers this to be his first “real goal.”
That’s because his opening-night notch came on a fortuitous bounce off the foot of an opponent.
This one was a beauty.
Frost was skating downhill into the left circle, while Gridin showed his savvy by drifting away from his check and finding some quiet ice on the opposite side. His sweeping one-timer was in the back of net before San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic could slide across his crease.
“It’s a smart play to open up and get available there,” Frost said, praising his rookie linemate.
“We’re trying to get our guys to do a better job of using the whole width of the ice and there’s an example of it,” Huska added. “It’s a pass that goes from one side of the ice over that halfway point, and it’s a one-time shot. There’s no handling it. It’s on and off the stick.
“That’s a great example of puck pace and using the entire zone.”
How did that first “real goal” — presumably the first of many — feel for the 19-year-old Gridin, who has now produced three points in seven games since being recalled from the AHL’s Wranglers?
“It feels awesome, not going to lie,” he beamed. “Especially to tie the game and help the team win, it feels great.”
Flames defenceman Kevin Bahl battles Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini.
Extra attention
Kevin Bahl must have been feeling mighty popular Saturday.
Everybody wanted a piece of him.
As Calgary’s best shutdown defender, Bahl was matched up against San Jose’s top young talents in Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
He happened to catch both with solid hits, which didn’t sit well with the rest of the Sharks.
Zack Ostapchuk requested a dance. Ditto for Barclay Goodrow, who was especially persistent.
In both cases, Bahl declined. He played 24:12 in this matinee, which was more than Ostapchuk and Goodrow combined, so that was certainly the right call.
“He understands, against top players, you have to play hard against them and not give them room on the ice,” Huska said. “So he finishes hits on them, and there’s nothing dirty about it. He’s just in their face a lot.
“And I think he’s also smart enough to know that he doesn’t have to take on anybody and everybody that comes at him. Because we don’t want to lose him in a trade-off that doesn’t work for us.”
The 25-year-old Bahl shrugged off Saturday’s extra attention as just something that comes with the territory.
It could be seen as a sign of a job well done.
It’s a bonus that he earned an apple on Farabee’s would-be winner on the penalty-kill.
“I get it — guys want to protect their teammates and stuff like that,” Bahl said. “And there’s a time and place for it, especially when it’s a dirty hit or whatever.
“But in my situation, just keep on making them feel uncomfortable out there and maybe it will throw them off their game, too.”
Ice chips: The Flames have recalled rookie blue-liner Zayne Parekh after his conditioning stint with the AHL’s Wranglers. Parekh, 19, put up five points in four games in the minors.
Flames forward Joel Farabee celebrates what stood up as the game-winning goal on Saturday.