Calgary Flames’ rising star, Matt Coronato, seems to have found his secret weapon on the ice – his mother’s homemade meatballs. The 22-year-old right-winger, who hails from Greenlawn, N.Y., recently showcased his prowess during his NHL debut on Long Island, a mere 50 kilometers from his hometown.
The young talent’s family has been a constant presence in the stands, witnessing his scoring streak for the Flames against formidable opponents like the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and the Devils in Newark. But the Long Island game was a special one. With a larger group of supporters in the UBS Arena and a hearty, home-cooked meal in his belly, Coronato managed to score twice against the Islanders, including the game’s opening goal.
In a post-practice interview on Monday, Coronato reflected on the game, stating, “Definitely an easy game to get up for to play in front of family and have so much support, I’m so grateful for it.”
Coronato, who was selected by the Flames as the 13th overall pick in the 2021 draft, started his career as a late training camp cut. However, he has since blossomed into a crucial offensive catalyst and a reliable two-way forward for the team, contributing significantly to their unexpected playoff contention.
Currently, the Flames are trailing St. Louis by four points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. However, they have an advantage with three games in hand. Coronato’s contribution to the team’s performance is evident from his ranking – third in team goals, tied for second in game-winning goals, and fourth in points.
In addition to his impressive stats, Coronato has earned the trust of head coach Ryan Huska, who frequently relies on him during crucial late-game situations when the team is defending a lead. Huska commended Coronato for his exceptional performance and believes he is in a position where he will receive significant playtime.
Coronato’s teammate, Jonathan Huberdeau, also had high praise for him, stating, “His shot is just lethal. He’s going to be a real superstar in this league for sure.”
The Flames have exhibited remarkable resilience and determination throughout the season. Despite suffering a 6-2 loss to Toronto at the beginning of their road trip, they managed to pull off a sweep against the New York-area teams. This achievement was even more impressive considering they were without their captain, Mikael Backlund, who was out with an upper-body injury.
According to Huska, the team’s resilience is mainly due to its core group of experienced players. He said, “Our leaders, Backs and all those older guys, have set the standard that we’re going to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
As the Flames continue their upward trajectory, Coronato will undoubtedly be a significant factor in the team’s success. When asked if he would consider flying the Coronato family out to Calgary, given Matthew’s recent success in front of them, Huska responded with a laugh, “He got hot, which is great. Hopefully, he can continue that here.”
