Stars goalie Jake Oettinger’s bold guarantee after sensational performance in Game 7 loss to Flames

The Calgary Flames had to throw everything they’ve got at Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger during Sunday night’s Game 7 just to pull off a 3-2 overtime victory at home. Oettinger put up a performance that will be remembered for a long time despite the loss, as he did his best impersonation of a brick wall in front of the net, stopping a ridiculous total of 64 shots on 67 attempts from the Flames.

What Oettinger did in this Game 7 was nothing short of remarkable and the fact that the Stars lost has left everyone, perhaps even some Calgary fans, feeling sorry for the wasted effort that’s certainly one for the ages. The Flames took a total of 119 shots (all types) in Game 7 to just 55 by the Stars. Oettinger also highlighted a weakness of Calgary when it comes to converting high-danger shots into goals, as the Flames registered 14 more high-danger shots (22) than the Stars and only managed to sneak one of those into the net.

That being said, Oettinger is the last guy who’d retreat to a corner and sulk with a fate like that. After the game, Oettinger bared a bold prediction, making it clear that he is all in for a grand bounce back.

Via Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News:

Jake Oettinger: “I’ve never been more motivated than I am right now. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that I get this opportunity again and I’ll make sure I’m on the other side of it the next time.”

Oettinger is still just 23, and he showed the Stars a clear silver lining from that loss. Now, Dallas knows that it could really have a future with him as a potential starter down the line. Of course, the Stars still have Braden Holtby, but he is 32 and is about to hit free agency in the offseason. Oettinger, on the other hand, is a pending restricted free agent, and there’s probably no way that the Stars will let him get poached that easily. Especially not with the kind of playoffs he just had.