EDMONTON — The grin on Matvei Gridinâ€s face lasted long after the post-game pic with his first NHL goal puck.
“Unreal,†said the 19-year-old Flames rookie of an NHL debut few involved will ever forget, for various reasons.
“A couple years ago I played on PS, and now Iâ€m in there, so it feels nice.â€
Even the wizards at PlayStation wouldâ€ve had a hard time programming for an opening night barnburner like this.
After spotting the two-time Stanley Cup finalists a 3-0 lead in a raucous Oilers rink, Gridinâ€s first in the bigs kick-started the most unlikely of comebacks, ending with an eight-round shootout capped by Nazem Kadri in a 4-3 win.
“Sixteen (shooters)? Youâ€re going to have to talk to Husk about that,†smiled Kadri, the Flames’ leading sniper last year, of a snub from coach Ryan Huska that prompted quite the death stare prior to his number being called.
“After the (15th shooter) he looked back and said, ‘Can I have this please?â€â€ smiled Huska.
“So Iâ€m glad we went with him instead of choosing someone else at that moment.â€
Kadri beat Stuart Skinner with a deke in tight, prompting an animated celebration that could be heard around a suddenly subdued rink as the Flames bench spilled onto the ice.
As unlikely as the scenario was, it all seemed so familiar.
Last year, the Flames’ season opened with the Rebound at Rogers Arena, as the Flames built an undeniable belief in themselves after overcoming a three-goal deficit in the first period to ruin Vancouverâ€s lid-lifter, 6-5 in overtime courtesy of a Connor Zary finisher.
Wednesdayâ€s Recovery at Rogers Place was a shocking facsimile, including the fact Connor Zary once again scored a big goal.
Several players spoke earlier in the week about how important last yearâ€s opening night was in terms of overcoming adversity and building faith.
Who knows where this one can lead, but wherever this season goes, it almost certainly will play out with Gridin on board.
“I thought he played very well,†said Huska of the Flames†late first-rounder from 2024, who opened the night walking Darnell Nurse to create a great chance, should have received an assist on Zaryâ€s power-play goal and finished plus-2 in his first real-life video game. Â
“He looks comfortable in his own zone, which is always something you worry about with a younger player. I think he led us in shots (five). So happy for him he was able to get his first one.â€
It was a lucky one, as he spun to centre a pass, only to see it carom in off Noah Philpâ€s skate in the slot, sliding under Skinner.
Playing on a line with Matt Coronato and Morgan Frost, Gridin found himself on the ice with under two minutes left in a 3-3 game, matching up against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and David Tomasek.
He didnâ€t look at all out of place, which is a solid development for an organization dreaming of fostering more young pillars.
Gridinâ€s special night included a chance to win the game in the fifth round of the shootout, only to have his self-dubbed “Gridin Signature†stymied.
Only two of the 16 shooters — Draisaitl and Frost — found the net before Kadri played hero, prompting many to wonder if a win like this can do what it did for last yearâ€s Flames.
“I donâ€t know why we have to make it so dramatic,†chuckled Kadri, who said his team refused to sage, even when one of the three early Oilers scorers included former Flame Andrew Mangiapane.
“Thatâ€s a character win.â€
Dustin Wolfâ€s 32 saves donâ€t include the seven he made on penalty shots, providing the sort of backbone the Flames have come to count on.
Without him, nothing is possible for these Flames.
“Honestly, itâ€s kind of reminiscent of last yearâ€s first game, just a little slow to get going,†said Blake Coleman, who also scored for a visiting squad that had both a power play and a penalty kill in overtime.
“You get a bounce on Griddyâ€s goal and you get some life.
“Itâ€s a big win — it galvanizes the team. You showed as a group youâ€re willing to stick with it and play the right way. Weâ€ve shown in the past we can win games coming from behind with a lot of third-period goals. But our team showed a lot of resilience tonight.â€
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