The Flames started off this game strong, though not as such as in their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, during which they scored two goals in the first 49 seconds. While they didn't score early on in this game, they nearly took advantage of some questionable Minnesota turnovers early on with a good shift from the Mikael Backlund line, which generated numerous shots. Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk had to be sharp to keep the Flames from scoring.

Flames fans held their breath early on, as winger Troy Brouwer hobbled off the ice about two minutes in after taking a hard shot off his foot. Thankfully, he returned to the game a couple of minutes later.

The Wild opened the scoring 3:50 into the game. Minnesota defenceman Jared Spurgeon took a hard shot from the point, which redirected off winger Chris Stewart and past Chad Johnson. Ryan Suter received credit for the other assist on Stewart's third goal of the season.

The Flames' powerplay got its first chance to operate at the 4:49 mark of the period, when Minnesota' Nate Prosser took a two minute penalty for roughing Kris Versteeg. Halfway through the penalty, Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton stumbled awkwardly into the end boards behind the Wild net, hitting his head forcefully against the wall. He exited the game, and went to the dressing room for further examination; however, he returned, much to the relief of Flames fans, five minutes later.

Minnesota got one of its' best chances of the period with about eleven minutes left. Defenseman Matt Dumba found a wide open Jason Pominville to Chad Johnson's left. Pominville one-timed the pass inches wide of the net, keeping the score at 1-0.

With nine minutes remaining, Chris Stewart was sprung on a breakaway. Looking for his second goal of the game, he fired a low wrist shot on Johnson, turned away with the right pad -- again, keeping the Wild's lead at one.

The Flames got on the board with 7:34 left in the first. Sean Monahan entered the Wild offensive zone on the right side, stopped up at the goal line, and fired a pass to the left point, where a trailing Jyrki Jokipakka followed up on the play. The Flames’ defender fired a hard shot on goal, which was denied by Devan Dubnyk. The puck slid out to Flames winger Kris Versteeg, who fired home his fourth goal of the season.

Erik Haula put the Flames back up a man with 6:37 remaining in the frame, going off for two minutes for holding Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames scored just 10 seconds into the powerplay to take their first lead of the game. Mikael Backlund banged home a rebound in the crease to give the Flames the 2-1 advantage. Matthew Tkachuk and Mark Giordano received the assists on Backlund’s goal, his 4th of the season.

The play started to heat up late in the period, when Wild captain Mikko Koivu shoulder-checked Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk in the chin, away from the play. A scrum ensued, and Koivu received the only penalty: for roughing. Minnesota successfully killed off their captain's penalty.

With just under a minute remaining in the period, the Wild received their first powerplay of the hockey game, as Mikael Backlund was sent off for slashing. The Wild did not score during their 58 seconds of 5-on-4 time to end the first period, and the remaining 62 seconds of the man-advantage carried over into the second period.

Overall, the Flames played a successful first period, coming back from an early deficit to take the lead with two quick goals. For only the second time all season, they managed to score a powerplay goal at home.

Shots on Goal

Calgary Flames: 9 - Minnesota Wild: 7