Three takeaways as Flames lose OT thriller in Boston
Article content
Calgary Flames fans long ago gained an appreciation for all the little things that Elias Lindholm does well.
Article content
Article content
Article content
On Thursday, they were reminded in the rudest way.
Article content
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
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
Article content
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
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
Article content
COMEBACK STORY (AGAIN)
Article content
Article content
These guys don’t have much quit in ’em.
Article content
Article content
That’s a compliment.
Article content
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
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.”
Article content
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.
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.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
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 authorsor
Article content
Article content
With Marchand in the box, Yegor Sharangovich drained a deflection on the power-play.
Article content
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
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
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
Article content
Article content
Article content
POSITIVE ON THE POWER-PLAY
Article content
Article content
Unlike those late-game heroics, this is not a familiar story …
Article content
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.
