POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Getting his point, a once-in-lifetime moment.
Making his point, a day-to-day exercise.
"Oh, yeah," says Andrew Mangiapane. "It's always nice to get your first NHL point. I was definitely excited when it happened, when I heard my name (over the PA system).
"I guess you'll never forget it. But it's over and done with.
"Time to focus on the next game."

Saturday, of course, the 22-year-old left-winger finally hit the scoresheet for the Flames, assisting on Mark Giordano's game-opening strike at 16:51 of the first period that pushed the detonation button on a 7-1 dismantling of the Arizona Coyotes.
Hustling the puck free, Mangipane slipped a pass to Derek Ryan who in turn outletted to the captain sliding in from the point. Giordano picked his spot and hit it, short-side.
Point 1 in his ninth show-time look of the season and 19th career NHL game, necessitating the obligatory cameo-keepsake grip-'n-grin photo holding the commemorative puck for personal posterity.
Saturday marked his second start back after sitting out nine tilts due to injury.

"He did a good job coming back in," critiqued Flames' boss Bill Peters. "I thought that line was real good. Did a good job on the forecheck. Recovered pucks. Had a couple good looks.
"Good for him to get his first NHL point. Had a good look for us when it was 0-0.
"He was real good for us when he first came into our lineup, then he got hurt and played through it and now that he's back, one game healthy, that's a real positive for us - if he can come in and play at that level."
Count goaltender Dave Rittich among those who can see precisely that happening.
"He's an awesome guy and a great hockey player," lauds Big Save Dave, a Stockton Heat teammate of Mangiapane's for the entire 2016-17 season as well as a part of last year. "He's on the way to being a day-to-day NHL player.
"He deserves it. He works so hard. He can make plays.
"When you're going up-down, up-down, it can be really stressful. But you watch him, he's really enjoying every day here.
"You want a guy like that to do well."

For Mangiapane, the key is to remain patient. Which is, of course, is easier said then done.
"If you keep at it, keep working, points will come," he reckons. "Mentally, it'll happen for you.
"Points are definitely in the back of my mind, you always want to contribute that way, but I think I bring other attributes to the table, too.
"My goal coming in here was to find a role that can help me help the team win.
"You have to wait for the right opportunity, believe that it'll come. So when it does arrive, the important thing is to take advantage. I was a little down when I got hurt. But I've got to thank the trainers for helping me get back quick.
"My goal is to be an everyday NHLer. Nothing's changed there. And I'm working towards that."
Friday, with the Buffalo Sabres in town to put Calgary's five-game win string to the test, the audition process continues.
"When you first come up," Peters says, speaking both specifically of Mangiapane and in a more broad sense, "you're running on adrenalin. When you get back in the lineup, you're running on adrenalin and fear, of going down.
"So let's see it over time, right? Let's see it 10 games from now, what's your game like?
"Now the adrenalin's worn off. So now where are you at?
"It's a process.
"But I think he's going to pass the test."