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Dennis Gilbert is understood for lots of issues — however not essentially scoring targets
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Jonathan Huberdeau broke a 12-game pointless streak.
Blake Coleman scored in his five hundredth NHL sport.
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Andrew Mangiapane appeared as snug as he has in weeks, selecting up three massive assists.
The largest celebration of New Yr’s Eve on the Saddledome, although, belonged to Dennis Gilbert.
The Calgary Flames defenceman ripped a fully lovely shot previous Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson halfway via the third interval on Sunday night time. His purpose put the Flames forward in a sport they’d ultimately win 4-3.
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And it prompted what Mangiapane agreed might need been the Flames’ purpose celebration of the yr, as Gilbert dropped to 1 knee and unleashed a fully vicious fist-pump.
“It was highschool once more,” Gilbert stated with a smile. “It’s cool. It’s such an superior constructing and it’s my first purpose at house as a Flame, so feeling that constructing form of leap up and it’s a giant sport, tie sport, third interval … It was a extremely enjoyable reminiscence.”
By his personal admission, Gilbert isn’t identified for his goal-scoring.
His toughness might be the very first thing that involves thoughts if Flames followers had been requested in regards to the issues that make the Buffalo, New York native helpful to his crew.
He’s established himself as an on a regular basis participant for the Flames this season, showing in 26 video games, typically on the third pairing.
He had 5 assists up to now in 2022-24, however no targets previous to the New Yr’s tilt with the Flyers. Along with scoring one on Sunday, he additionally had an help on Mikael Backlund’s opener for the Flames.
So perhaps his offensive document — he had scored solely two earlier NHL targets in 74 video games — made him a little bit of an unlikely hero. However groups want everybody to contribute, and Gilbert did simply that when he acquired a candy feed from Huberdeau and rocketed it into the again of the online.
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“That’s not likely my calling card or what I’m identified for by any means,” Gilbert stated. “Something I can do offensively to assist chip in right here and there’s simply gravy on high of my sport. Quite a lot of emotion, clearly, it was tremendous thrilling.
“I hadn’t scored this yr, so it will have been robust if it had been March and (the Saddledome announcers) would have been like ‘Along with his first purpose of the yr.’ That will have been a tricky look.”
As an alternative, Gilbert scored a giant purpose in a giant second.
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The sport was removed from over, as there have been nonetheless 4 extra targets to be scored, with two for every crew.
However ultimately, the Flames did sufficient to carry on and snap a mini two-game skid by beating an excellent Flyers crew.
Coleman’s purpose was a pleasant second on a milestone night time. Mangiapane thrived after being reunited with Coleman and Backlund. Huberdeau appeared as snug and harmful as he had in weeks, taking part in on Sunday subsequent to Elias Lindholm and Yegor Sharangovich.
These are all in all probability extra essential to the Flames’ long-term success this season than having Gilbert all of a sudden flip right into a sniper.
However that does nothing to remove from Gilbert’s well-deserved second within the highlight.
“He’s a tough working child however he’s obtained an amazing persona about him, so to see folks like which have success or have a superb sport like he did tonight, you’re comfortable for him for positive,” stated Flames head coach Ryan Huska.
daustin@postmedia.com
X: @DannyAustin_9
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