Flames’ Dustin Wolf proving Calder Trophy buzz is warranted

CALGARY — This is exactly what Calgary Flames fans have been howling for.

A chance for Dustin Wolf to get an extended run as the team’s go-to goalie.

Following up a 29-save shutout with a 28-save masterpiece Tuesday, the Flames 23-year-old Wunderkind now appears poised to break another barrier by starting three games in a row.

Coach Ryan Huska wasn’t ready to make the commitment after Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win over the Islanders, but chuckled at the suggestion he really has no choice.

“He’s been great,” smiled Huska, who has said all along that at some point he’ll let one of his two netminders run with the ball.

“We’ll have some conversations after the game for sure.”

All the talk around town has been about Wolf so far this season, and that won’t change following his latest triumph.

Beaten only by a perfect Pierre Engvall snipe early in the second period, Wolf then put on another clinic, turning aside a handful of top-grade chances early in the third that threatened to put the game out of reach for a Flames team struggling to find offence.

“If they score early in the third the game’s probably over the other way,” said Huska, whose club got a rare power-play goal by Rasmus Andersson to tie the game midway through the third.  

“You even get those comments from the guys on the bench with the saves he was making at the start of the third period.

They feel like he’s there for them right now so let’s find a way to get this done.”

Armed with confidence far beyond his years, Wolf was ready to declare after the game he’s feeling next-level.

“Zone is definitely a great word to use, that’s kind of the stuff I work on, the mindfulness of the game,” he said.

“If you can reach that zone you’re going to feel good.”

He’s there, having stopped 84 of the last 86 shots he’s faced, which included a string of over 82 minutes of shutout hockey.

He’s won 11 of his last 14 starts dating back to last season, and in his last five outings he’s 4-0-1 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .946 save percentage.

Only four goalies with at least 10 starts have a better GAA than his 2.36 this season.

Only two starters have a better save percentage than his .925.

No wonder there’s already Calder talk around town.

 “It’s a little bit of everything — you’re reading plays well, you’re kind of envisioning what’s going to happen next,” explained Wolf.

“You’re seeing through bodies, you’re just connected. And it’s a good feeling to have, and one you certainly have to work every day to keep.”

With apologies to Dan Vladar, who has also been a great story for the Flames this year, how do you not start Wolf on Thursday against the Rangers?

The coach didn’t need to hear Wolf’s post-game comments to sense he’s as dialled-in as they get.

“Oh yeah, for sure,” said Huska.

“Just like the fans see it, you guys would upstairs. 

“The save he made off that faceoff in the third and went seam to (Kyle) Palmieri — that’s a big save, but he was there before the shot. When he’s beating the pass you know he’s on and his reads are really good.”

It’s time to let that dog, er Wolf, run.

Especially since Wolf and his crossbar were able to repel the visitors on a 67-second power play at the end of overtime.

His three years in the minors prepping for this opportunity are paying off.

Wolf’s pre-game routine has long included extensive research and video on shootout tendencies of every opposing player.

In an earlier shootout victory against Pittsburgh he laughed about how none of the players did what he thought they would.

“They were a little better,” laughed Wolf of the moves made Tuesday by Palmieri and Bo Horvat, which he stopped in the skill competition, allowing goals from Andrei Kuzmenko and Justin Kirkland to seal the deal.

“Everybody in this league is so skilled, so no matter what, some guys have one move they like, some guys have a couple. You want to have an idea in the back of your mind, but at the same time you’ve got to play hockey.”

Few have played their position better the last few weeks than the California Kid, who should be back between the pipes again Thursday.