Three takeaways as Flames lose OT thriller in Boston

5 days ago

Calgary Herald

Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins celebrates with teammate Charlie McAvoy after Marchand scored against goalie Dustin Wolf and the Calgary Flames in overtime at the TD Garden last night in Boston. The Bruins won 4-3. Photo by Rich Gagnon /Getty Images

Article content

Flames - Figure 1 — Photo Calgary Herald

Calgary Flames fans long ago gained an appreciation for all the little things that Elias Lindholm does well.

Article content

On Thursday, they were reminded in the rudest way.

Article content

The former Flames centre made a couple of clutch contributions — one obvious, the other a little less so — during three-on-three to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 overtime victory against his old pals.

Article content

Lindholm, who spent six seasons in the Flaming C, first prevented on-the-rise right-winger Matt Coronato from sniping his second OT goal of the week. Mikael Backlund passed to Coronato on an offensive rush, but the Bruins’ headline summer signing was backchecking hard and managed to pester just enough to prevent a goal.

Article content

Then, when it seemed a shootout was a certainty, Lindholm stripped the puck from Rasmus Andersson behind Calgary’s net and dished to a wide-open Brad Marchand out front. While Dustin Wolf denied Marchand’s initial attempt, he swatted in the rebound to end an entertaining sudden-death session. Wolf, after a 34-save showing, deserved a happier ending.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

While the Flames continue their search for another every-situation centre, a quest that started when Lindholm was traded away in January, here are three shorter-term takeaways from Thursday’s overtime loss in Boston …

Article content

COMEBACK STORY (AGAIN)

Article content

These guys don’t have much quit in ’em.

Article content

That’s a compliment.

Article content

The Flames trailed by two goals after Thursday’s middle frame, but they earned at least a single point with yet another third-period comeback.

Article content

As head coach Ryan Huska summed up afterward: “I like how we stuck with it again. That’s kind of been a trademark for our team is that we always feel like we’re still in games.”

Flames - Figure 2 — Photo Calgary Herald

Article content

While you won’t find his name on the scoring summary, Martin Pospisil sparked the turnaround by goading Marchand into a retaliatory penalty with a casual bump after an offside whistle. (You may remember these two have some history. When the Flames last visited Beantown, Pospisil was ejected for a cross-check on the Bruins’ captain.)

Article content

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

With Marchand in the box, Yegor Sharangovich drained a deflection on the power-play.

Article content

Nazem Kadri then cashed the equalizer with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Kadri pondered a pass to Andrei Kuzmenko on a two-on-one rush but instead opted for the toe-drag on defenceman Nikita Zadorov and then used his ex-teammate — Zadorov, just like Lindholm, signed in Boston after a brief stop in Vancouver — as a screen on a low shot.

Article content

The Flames have scored a grand total of 40 goals so far this season. More than half of those — 21, to be exact — have been third-period deposits.

Article content

“Obviously it’s frustrating not to close it out, but we’ll take that point,” Kadri said before the Flames travelled from Boston to Buffalo, where this 7-5-2 squad will wrap a three-game roadie with Saturday’s early start against the Sabres. “That was a great fight by us in a tough building. Coming back from a two-goal deficit, I’m going to give us a lot of credit there.”

Article content

Flames blueliner MacKenzie Weegar directs the puck on goal against the Boston Bruins during second-period action. Photo by Rich Gagnon /Getty Images

Article content

POSITIVE ON THE POWER-PLAY

Article content

Unlike those late-game heroics, this is not a familiar story …

Article content

One of Thursday’s most encouraging developments was that the Flames finally celebrated a power-play goal from what most would consider their top unit.