After all, what’s a good story without an “all is lost… moment?
Sure we’ve covered this concept a few times this season. Even once already against the Dallas Stars on February 1st when the Flames stormed back from a 3-1 deficit.
But this “all is lost… moment had a bit more dimension.
The concept applied to the Flames, who stormed out of a 1-0 deficit entering the third period. The concept applied to Mikeal Backlund, who hadn’t scored a 5v5 goal in 20 games. The concept applied to Andrew Mangiapane, who was held pointless in his last eight games. In fact, the last time #88 scored was April 21 against the Dallas Stars in their final regular season meeting.
Most of all, the “all is lost… concept applied to the franchise and their fans. The Flames had dropped the last four game fives when tied at 2-2 in a series. Detroit 07, San Jose 08, Chicago 09 and Dallas 2020.
A trend well shaken.
Of similar coincidence is that this series is currently running opposite in result to the 2020 Stars-Flames series. After taking a 2-1 lead against the Stars, the Flames dropped three straight to lose the series in six games. This time the Stars were the team to take the 2-1 lead and the Flames have won two straight since then. The only difference being the sequence of the first three games.
A very odd series indeed.
Was overcoming that 1-0 score the climax of the series? Time will tell. Underestimating a Stars team with so much playoff experience would be a fool’s errand.
You have to admit though: it feels good to lead 3-2 for once.
Coleman A common occurrence is for fans to look at goals, assists and points then make a quick evaluation of a player’s value pertaining to their contract.
After signing a six year $4.9 million annual average value contract with the Flames in the offseason as a UFA, Coleman became a lightning rod for such lazy criticism. After all, he only put up 27 points in 58 games.
Well let last night be a lesson to those fans. He led the way to that victory. His physical play an tenacity on the puck started momentum rolling in the third and driving the net while shorthanded put blood in the water. Calgary scored shortly after. Three hits, three shots, one assist and a bucketload of heart. Coleman had a big night.
Dube Three shots on goal and still no production this series after five games. That out of the way, what a game for the young man. The hardest back checking effort by a country mile. Dube’s speed is being put to good use. While he only registered one hit, he separated the puck carrier from possession several times. Head coach Darryl Sutter has brought the Golden, BC native’s game a long way from the slump filled season he was putting up from November through January. The points will come sooner or later.
Mangiapane Prior to setting up the tying goal and then scoring the game winner, one had to question what was ailing the 26 year old winger. Rumours of a hand injury swirled near the end of the season. Tough to confirm anything injury related this time of year. Whatever the problem was, it wasn’t an issue in the third period. The much-needed secondary scoring for the Flames finally showed up in dramatic fashion.
Refs Five penalties over the course of the game. Two per period until one in the third. The Kylington trip could have been ignored or evened up given there were plenty of infractions to call on Dallas’ end, but less than six penalties is playoff hockey. Sorely missed.
Tough series to officiate, but this was the best reffed game of the series.
Stockton The Flames affiliate also played last night. Once again, Mattias Emilio Pettersen played the hero by, once again, scoring the game winning goal on route to a 3-2 win in regulation. Stockton has allowed two or less goals in Dustin Wolf’s last nine starts.
The Heat have an opportunity to close out the best of five series on Friday.
The Friday game for the Flames has the potential to end the series in six games. It’s not unreasonable to say that both fanbases want this struggle to be over. Dallas fans share discontent for a season of low percentage, outside shots and boring hockey. Flames fans have gotten more than their share of that this season. The unfortunate truth about that style is that the Stars have a solid shot at winning game 6 despite being broken down and less talented with the puck.
So let dread fill your heart tomorrow when the series carries on. Tonight is just for watching the Oilers try to dig out of their own 3-2 deficit.
Trevor Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick and nhl.com.
@Trevor_Neufeld