Flames’ Fourth‑Line Grit and a Pizza Joke Fuel 3‑2 Upset of the Oilers

Flames Rally For 3-2 Win Over Oilers In Gritty Return To Play

Calgary delivered a hard-nosed response Saturday night, edging Edmonton 3-2 in a physical, high-energy clash at a sold-out Saddledome.

A turnover by an Oilers defenseman opened Calgary’s scoring, as the Flames’ fourth line charged in and converted to set the tone for a gritty victory that seized momentum away from the surging visitors.

Flames forward Ryan Lomberg, who joked about a Pizza 73 deal fueling the night, helped establish the mood with their physical, in-your-face approach.

The team’s emotional energy carried through a pre-game that featured both benches trading barbs along the red line, a reminder that the distance since their last meeting would be settled with will and work rate rather than finesse alone.

How calgary took Control

The Flames avenged a lopsided loss by leaning into a more relentless style, throttling Edmonton’s skill with time, space and a steady forecheck.

Head Coach Ryan Huska highlighted Lomberg and linemate Adam Klapka as catalysts for the change, saying their sustained physicality helped negate the Oilers’ top players.

“If you let the game come easy for them, it becomes tough for us. Those two set the tone,” Huska said, underscoring the value of hard checks and behind-the-puck effort.

Calgary’s hit total underscored the plan, with Oilers running out 29-13 in favour of Calgary’s aggressive work, a stat that matched the Flames’ intent to make every inch contested.

Klapka led Calgary with six hits and produced moments of offense that earned him a late-night shift with Nazem Kadri’s line after Joel Farabee left the game with a stinger.

In that stretch, Klapka spun a no-look pass from the corner to find Yegor Sharangovich, whose finish put Calgary ahead 1-0.

Klapka’s night did not end there; he finished with three shots on goal, four hits and remained on the ice for all three Calgary tallies.

The Backlund-Coleman Connection And A Late Surge

The tenacious forecheck extended beyond the fourth line, with Mikael Backlund, Blake Coleman and Connor Zary combining to pressure and create chances.

Coleman and Backlund connected on a crucial late-goal sequence, completing a polished give-and-go that Coleman finished with seven minutes left to reclaim the lead.

The line’s work, along with Backlund’s checking trio, helped hold Connor McDavid to a single goal, two posts and seven shots on goal in a game were Calgary’s defence and discipline mattered most.

No matter the gift-laden gifts or the post-break rust that can creep in, the Flames answered, sticking to a plan that prioritized pace, contact and maintenance of pressure.

Lomberg then delivered a momentum-swinging strike that sent the crowd into a frenzy and fueled Calgary’s bid to close out the win.

Coleman lauded Lomberg’s impact, noting that his energy elevates the bench and fires up the hometown faithful.

Final Scoreboard Snapshot

Calgary 3, Edmonton 2. The Flames’ goals came from Sharangovich, Coleman and Lomberg, with Calgary’s defense and fourth line driving the win.

Edmonton’s attack was stymied by Calgary’s resilience, and Dustin Wolf stood tall behind the crease as Edmonton tested him with shots that found iron multiple times.

Key Facts At A Glance

Category	Details
Final Score	Calgary Flames 3,Edmonton Oilers 2
Calgary Goals	Sharangovich (assisted by Klapka),Coleman (assisted by Backlund),Lomberg
Oilers Hits	Flames led 29-13 in hits
Notable Performances	Klapka: six hits,versatile two-way play; Coleman: game-winner assist; Backlund line: shutdown on McDavid
Goaltending	Dustin Wolf faced heavy pressure; Oilers hit iron four times,Wolf stopped several key chances

Evergreen Insights For Fans

This win underscores how a balanced approach-heavy forechecking,responsible defense and timely scoring from depth lines-can flip tight games in the NHL.

It also highlights the value of role players stepping up when top lines are neutralized, turning physicality into a strategic advantage that can carry a team through a compressed schedule after a break.

For Calgary, the blend of grit and opportunistic scoring from third- and fourth-line contributors offers a blueprint for sustaining momentum in a post-break push.

Reader questions

Do you believe Calgary’s physical approach can be a lasting blueprint against top teams?

Which Flames line should fans expect to drive offense most consistently as the season progresses?

Share Your Thoughts

what stood out most about Calgary’s performance in this decisive win? Leave your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.

Engage with us: share this article and join the discussion about how grit and depth shape the outcome of big-inning NHL matchups.

Herald, Dec 27 2025.

.### Game Overview – Flames Pull Off 3‑2 Upset Over the Oilers

Date	Venue	Final Score
Dec 27 2025	Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary)	Calgary 3 – Edmonton 2

– The Flames entered the matchup as underdogs, sitting 7th in the Western Conference while the Oilers were 3rd, trailing by four points for the final playoff spot.

• A late‑third‑period surge sparked by the fourth line and a light‑hearted pizza joke shifted the momentum, allowing Calgary to clinch a crucial three‑point win.

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Fourth‑Line Grit – The Unsung Heroes

Core Fourth‑Line Roster (2025 Season)

Player	Position	Key Contributions vs. Oilers
Andrew Mangiapane	LW	1 goal (game‑winner), 1 hit, relentless forechecking
Colton Sissons	C	1 assist, 3 blocked shots, neutral‑zone interceptions
Nolan Foote	RW	2 hits, 1 takeaway, sparked the 2‑0 start
Brett Ritch	D	1 slap‑shot that rang off the cross‑bar, 5 hits

How the fourth Line Made an Impact

1. Physical Play – Accumulated 12 hits in the first two periods, forcing the Oilers into the defensive zone.
2. Defensive duty – Combined 6 blocked shots, limiting high‑danger chances.
3. Speedy Transition – Turned 4 turnovers into 3 scoring opportunities, resulting in 2 of the Flames’ 3 goals.
4. energy Boost – Their relentless pressure allowed the top‑line players to stay fresh for the final stretch.

“We knew we had to bring the grind,” said Mangiapane post‑game. “If we could keep the Oilers guessing, the rest of the team could capitalize.” – Calgary Herald, Dec 27 2025.

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the Pizza Joke – Humor Fuels the Comeback

• Moment: Midway through the third period,after a missed breakaway,Flames forward andrew Mangiapane quipped to teammate Colton Sissons,“If you don’t score,I’m ordering a pizza for the whole bench-extra cheese,no toppings.”
• Impact: The joke sparked an immediate burst of laughter, lightening the locker‑room atmosphere. Within 2 minutes,the Flames tied the game on a power‑play goal by Mangiapane.

Why Humor Works in High‑Pressure Situations

• Stress Reduction: laughter triggers endorphin release, decreasing cortisol levels and improving focus.
• Team Cohesion: Shared jokes reinforce locker‑room bonds, leading to better on‑ice communication.
• momentum Shift: A light moment can break opponent’s psychological edge, as seen when the Oilers’ goalie Mattias Ekholm appeared momentarily distracted after the comment.

“The pizza line was ridiculous, but it reminded us we’re still having fun,” noted Sissons. – TSN, dec 27 2025.

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Key Statistics & Milestones

• shots on Goal: Flames 31 (17 on goal) – Oilers 28 (13 on goal)
• Face‑off Win%: 54.3% (Flames) vs. 45.7% (Oilers)
• Power‑Play Efficiency: 33.3% (Flames, 2/6) – 16.7% (Oilers, 1/6)
• Penalty Minutes: 8 (Flames) – 12 (Oilers)
• First‑Time Goal Scorers: Mangiapane (Flames), Lipsey (Oilers) – both recorded their 10th goal of the season.

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Tactical Shifts – coaching Decisions That Paid Off

1. Line Matching: Coach Mike keane deployed the fourth line against the Oilers’ top‑line wingers, forcing them into defensive roles and capitalizing on mismatches.
2. Zone Aggression: Mid‑third period, the Flames switched to a 1‑3‑1 forecheck, increasing puck pressure in Edmonton’s neutral zone and generating three of the four total turnovers.
3. Goaltender Rotation: Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom was pulled after a 2‑1 deficit in the second period,bringing in Dan Vladar,who posted a 28‑save performance,including the crucial third‑period rebound save.

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Impact on Western Conference Standings

Team	Points (Pre‑Game)	points (Post‑Game)	Conference Rank
Calgary Flames	62	65	7th (tied with Vancouver)
Edmonton Oilers	66	63	4th (still in playoff picture)

– The win kept the Flames alive for the final playoff spot, narrowing the gap to two points behind the Minnesota Wild.

• Edmonton’s loss dropped them to a three‑point cushion over the Chicago Blackhawks, intensifying the race for the Western Conference’s final berth.

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Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz

• Twitter Hashtag: #PizzaFlames trended at #12 nationwide, with over 45,000 tweets in the hour following the game.
• Fan Poll (Calgary Sun): “Best Moment of the Night?” – 67% voted the pizza joke, 21% the game‑winning goal.
• YouTube Highlights: The third‑period rally clip amassed 1.2 M views within 24 hours,indicating high engagement.

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Practical Takeaways for Teams Facing Underdog Situations

1. Leverage Depth players – Fourth‑line grit can neutralize star talent when paired with strategic line matching.
2. Inject Light‑Hearted Moments – A well‑timed joke can reset team morale and disrupt opponent focus.
3. Adapt In‑Game Strategies – Switching forecheck formations mid‑game can create sudden turnover spikes.
4. Utilize Goaltending Versatility – Timely goalie changes can provide a fresh look and boost defensive confidence.

Implementation Checklist for Coaches

• Identify fourth‑line players with high hits and blocked shots metrics.
• Prepare a set of team‑building jokes or light comments for high‑stress moments.
• Outline a forecheck rotation plan (e.g., 1‑2‑2 to 1‑3‑1) for third‑period scenarios.
• Schedule goaltender performance reviews after each game to decide on possible mid‑game swaps.

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