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TAMPA — His was the trade that kickstarted it all — the summertime swap for Tyler Toffoli that started an organizational reboot.
How appropriate then that on the eve of the NHL’s trade deadline, Yegor Sharangovich scored twice, added two assists and led the charge for a radically reshaped team in the most unlikely of 6-3 wins against the host Tampa Bay Lightning?
With so much talk about altering the core, how perfect one of the faces of the future, Jakob Pelletier, celebrated his 23rd birthday with a game-winner — his first goal of the season following a five-month recovery from shoulder surgery?
Feel-good stories, both.
There will be many more youngsters on the rise as things move forward for a club so committed to its youth movement it even made a trade during the game, sending Emilio Pettersen to the Dallas Stars for former AHL rookie of the year, Riley Damiani.
If morale is low following the club’s latest veteran departure, the Calgary Flames sure have a funny way of showing it.
“We know there’s a lot of noise and stuff, and we lost some keys guys, which is never fun, but I think we stick with it,” said Jonathan Huberdeau, who had two stellar assists, including a no-look, behind-the-back dandy that gave Sharangovich his first of the night.
“We’re a team with a lot of character, so it’s on us leaders to show the way and the guys will have an opportunity to step up.”
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They’re doing just that, as Matt Coronato’s first NHL appearance in a while saw him winning the puck battles they’ve asked him to focus on, while also setting up a second from Sharangovich.
Within three minutes in the second period, the Flames scored three times.
Recent defensive waiver pickup Joel Hanley managed to debut with an assist in almost 17 minutes of ice time, which included two minutes shorthanded.
Yes, several veterans helped pave the way, as Blake Coleman, Andrew Mangiapane and Dryden Hunt also scored for a Flames club that didn’t allow a Tampa shot until 13 minutes in.
This isn’t supposed to keep happening for a so-called depleted team that has won six of its last seven outings.
After all, one night earlier the Flames traded Noah Hanifin to the division-rival Vegas Golden Knights as part of an organizational purge that has seen five pending UFAs swapped out since June to make room for the future.
On Saturday we’ll likely see defenceman Daniil Miromanov make his debut against the Florida Panthers, as team brass take a look at the player acquired for Hanifin.
The commitment to youth is one thing.
The success of it is quite another.
“I think every time people kind of count us out we’re coming right back in the mix,” said Pelletier, whose parents were in attendance to see his proud moment.
“I think it just shows people we’re not giving up on the playoff hopes.
“To get a huge win tonight feels good.”
As did the goal, which prompted repeated playing of the cheesiest birthday song his teammates could find on their dressing room playlist.
“I think the past five months were kind of tough,” he said, pausing.
“Every game you just try to help the team win. It feels good to score.”
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Sharangovich’s four-point effort was a career-high, pushing his goal total of 25 to new heights as part of a new role up the middle that has seen him score five goals, add two assists and go plus-7 in his last four games.
Not bad for a guy many deemed a bust early on as Toffoli’s replacement.
“It took him a little while to feel comfortable in the middle of the ice and I don’t blame him,” said Ryan Huska, who asked the Belarussian winger to be his top-line centre last month after Elias Lindholm was traded.
“I think he’s handled it really well and he’s now in a position where he feels good at both ends of the ice so, we’re starting to see the offence come again from him.”
The coach keeps talking post-game about how complete an effort his team keeps coming up with, the lines and pairings continue to be rearranged, the odds get longer that they can stay in the hunt, and the goalie who may or may not have just played his last game for the Flames continues to demonstrate why, at some point, someone will step up with a big package to acquire him.
We’ll find out if Friday is that day.
If not, they’ll continue to have their MVP helping them with their unlikely quest to stay in a race they are still long shots to remain in.
Tune in for the latest trade news, stay for the heartwarming story the Flames continue to author.
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