BOSTON — Andrew Mangiapane’s friends and family — and his growing legion of fans — must have been a tad nervous when his name popped up on Monday’s ticker.
Rest assured, the 23-year-old wasn’t available in a trade.
Rather, the Calgary Flames’ sophomore speedster was continuing to make a name for himself as the NHL’s third star of the week.
“I was kinda shocked — I didn’t even think that it would have been possible, so I was just like, ‘Oh, really?!?’” Mangiapane said of his reaction to the news. “I mean, you’re seeing (Alex) Ovechkin score all these goals, you’re looking around the league, so I was a little shocked.
“It’s definitely nice, but I couldn’t have done it without my linemates, without the team.”
This past week, No. 88 was undoubtedly the best of the bunch for the Flames.
Mangiapane notched his first hat-trick — and a career-high four points — in a victory over the Anaheim Ducks and then started this road-trip with a two-snipe night in a 4-2 doubling of the host Detroit Red Wings .
In between, he was blanked by the Boston Bruins. He’ll be shooting for a sliver of revenge in Tuesday’s rematch with the B’s at TD Garden (5 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).
Mangiapane’s continued emergence — and his chemistry with linemates Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk — is one of the reasons that Flames general manager Brad Treliving was able to balk at the high prices to add a forward on trade-deadline day, instead turning his attention to bolstering the blue-line .
“I’d say my confidence is pretty high right now,” Mangiapane said after Monday’s practice in Boston. “I feel good about my game. I have to give a lot of credit to my linemates. I think as a line, we’ve been playing some really good hockey. We’re using each other, and I have a lot of chemistry with Backs and Chucky on and off the ice.
“We’re growing, and we’re building, and we have to keep it going.”
That confidence is certainly showing.
“I think it’s just that you’re not second-guessing yourself,” explained Mangiapane, who has chipped in 15 goals and a dozen assists this season. “That’s basically the big thing is just if there’s a play to be made, make the play, right? Just believe in yourself and not second-guess all your options. When you’re confident, you’re going out there and if you want to shoot, you shoot and if you want to pass, you pass. That’s how you have to play in this league, I feel.”
Mangiapane, remember, is in his first full campaign at hockey’s highest level.
Last week, of the 700-plus guys on an NHL payroll, he was picked among the top three performers. Impressive.
Colorado Avalanche puck-stopper Pavel Francouz was saluted as the NHL’s first star of the week, while New York Rangers centre Mika Zibanejad was next on the list.
“It’s always nice when you’re recognized, especially as a young player, amongst your peers,” said Flames interim coach Geoff Ward. “So I’m sure he takes some pride in it. The biggest thing is, knowing what kind of kid he is, it’s not going to go to his head. He understands that in this league, in a lot of ways, you’re only as good as your last game.
“His game is growing in leaps and bounds right now, and his confidence level is high, so I would expect that he’ll take this in stride and get ready to play another good hockey game (Tuesday).”
Twitter: @WesGilbertson
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