Markstrom: Flames fans 'were great my whole time here'

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom had nothing but good things to say about Calgary Flames fans after his former club defeated his current one 3-0 in his return to Alberta on Friday night.

The Saddledome crowd applauded after the Flames showed a video tribute for Markstrom during the first TV timeout in the opening frame. They also chanted his name derisively once the game was well in hand in the final minutes.

"The fans here, they were great my whole time here, and the city, too," Markstrom said postgame. "So it was for sure special. I wanted to come out of here with two points, but that is what it is. But obviously, the fans were great."

Flames netminder Dan Vladar outdueled his former tandem mate and mentor, stopping all 22 shots he faced. Markstrom gave up two goals on 31 shots before Blake Coleman's empty-netter (and second tally of the night) sealed Calgary's victory.

Vladar acknowledged it wasn't easy facing Markstrom for the first time. The Flames puck-stopper credited goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera for helping him focus on a difficult task.

"(Markstrom is) such a great person, and we are still really good friends, and obviously I cheer for him," Vladar said. "So for me, going into tonight's game, I was not nervous but ... I didn't feel comfortable, to be honest, playing against Marky.

"As I said, (he's a) really good friend of mine, so Barbs got me ready ... So all the best to Marky, and thanks, Barbs."

Markstrom held the Flames off the scoresheet until Coleman buried one with 5:34 left in the third period. Jonathan Huberdeau then scored 28 seconds later, and Coleman iced the game less than two minutes after that.

The Swedish netminder spent four seasons with the Flames before they traded him to the Devils in June. Markstrom is 5-4-1 with a .907 save percentage and one shutout in 10 games with his new squad.

Vladar is 3-2-1 with a .909 save percentage and one shutout in six contests with Calgary this season.