On Friday, they ran into a hot goalie.
On Saturday, they rode one.
Netminder and emerging fan favourite Chad Johnson was the difference-maker for the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Canucks at the Saddledome, ensuring his pals were rewarded in the second half of a back-to-back, home-and-home set against their Pacific Division rivals.
“The biggest factor for us was our goalie,” said Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan. “I thought he was real polished, real calm, really steady and made some huge saves.”
Johnson didn’t have to steal the victory — not like Canucks stalwart Ryan Miller did 24 hours earlier, racking up 44 stops in a 4-2 triumph over the Flames at Rogers Arena — but Calgary’s masked man deserves full marks as he turned an early two-goal lead into a valuable two points.