Calgary Flames Daily: Post-game win, Jankowski’s first NHL goal
It’s an exciting day for Calgary Flames fan after that win last night against the Detroit Red Wings where some firsts happened. More Flames news here.
In last night’s exciting game against the Detroit Red Wings, the Calgary Flames won 6-3 and had some firsts. Probably the most exciting of all was Sam Bennett‘s first point! 16 games in! But no, two exciting goals happened last night: Mark Jankowski, the Flames’ first round draft pick in 2012 finally got his first NHL goal. And he gets to tell his grandchildren that his ever NHL goal was assisted by the legend Jaromir Jagr.
Who would have thought this would be the outcome?
He became the 12th player in history to have their first ever NHL goal assisted by Jagr. Speaking of Jagr, he also finally got his first goal as a Flame last night. And he received a standing ovation at the ‘Dome.
Related Story: Flames win as Jagr scores first goal as a Flame
Via Calgary Sun:
“Yeah, it was pretty cool,” Jankowski said. “When you hear your name called and everyone’s cheering that loud, you’re trying hard not to smile and just stay focused and stay serious. Then, (Jagr)’s was about three times as loud. It was pretty crazy. He’s a legend. It’s pretty special to share this with him.”“Of course any first goal for any team is special, especially in Canada,” Jagr said. “I can see how much the fans appreciate it, how much they love hockey …“Since the first day I’ve signed here, they have been so good to me, so I try to play my best.”
The bottom-six finally had a goal that wasn’t Kris Versteeg! Actually, technically two goals since Jagr was on the third line for the projected lineups. But his goal came from a nice pass from Johnny Gaudreau on a two-on-one for the duo.
“I talked to him many times,” Jagr said of Gaudreau. “I told him he’s got such a great talent, but it’s up to him how he’s going to take it. With his talent, he can win the scoring (race) every year.“It’s just up to him. It’s tough to shut him down one-on-one.”“For our team to go somewhere and be an elite team in the league, the third and fourth lines have to start scoring,” Jagr said. “We don’t have many opportunities, and we don’t get much power play time, so we just have to make sure we play good 5-on-5 and make sure we are a plus in the game — and that’s what we did (Thursday).”
Jagr now has four points in seven games so far with the Flames. That’s quite a decent signing and still decent for a guy who can get senior discounts in 20 years. Gaudreau now, on the other hand, is now third in the league in points with 22 in 16 games after his three points last night.
The Calgary Flames now sit in a wildcard spot but that could easily be taken from them since it’s quite a close race in the Western Conference right now.
Some links surrounding the Flames
Jankowski, Jagr score first goals as Flames in 6-3 win over Red Wings (Calgary Sun).
When is it time for Flames to start considering a Sam Bennett trade? (Sportsnet).
Flames double up Red Wings as Jagr scores 1st of season (CBC Sports).
Flames star Gaudreau shooting to be more than just assists ace (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Which players could one day contend for NHL games played title? (Sportsnet).
NHL aims to have ‘regular, predictable calendar’ of overseas events (NHL).
Jagr still has scoring touch (NHL.com).
Tampa’s top line chasing NHL history (TSN).
Next: Top five Flames players through first 15 games
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!