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Get used to the nail-biters, Calgary Flames fans. The franchise has had you on the edge of your seat early this season and they already look comfortable being uncomfortable.
We knew they wouldn’t be able to keep coming back from deficits, and yet even in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes — their first regulation loss seven games into the season — there was a belief right up until the Eric Robinson empty netter that the Flames could do the unthinkable again.
Despite being outshot by a wide margin, outplayed for most of the first 40 minutes, and facing arguably their toughest opponent of the year, the Flames pushed to the final buzzer and got to a goal away from tying it late in the third period when Jonathan Huberdeau scored from the side of the net with less than seven minutes left.
Saddledome spectators were quickly taken back to the previous game, when Nazem Kadri scored in the final minute of regulation to send their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins to overtime and the dramatic shootout win thanks to Justin Kirkland and Dustin Wolf.
Wolf was watching from the bench this time, but Dan Vladar didn’t disappoint between the pipes in his first home start. The Flames goaltender made 39 saves in a valiant effort to salvage a point — even as he was plagued by cramps and exhaustion in the final minutes.
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“I mean, the first 25 minutes didn’t stop,” Vladar told reporters post-game, after the Flames fell behind by three goals early in the second period. “So, I was really tired. I skated a lot the last couple days, so I was cramping up at the end.”
The goalies are a big reason for the Flames’ early success, but the team can’t keep relying on almost 40 saves a night. It’s not sustainable. Vladar’s fatigue illustrated that point perfectly in the dying minutes.
“We’ve played with fire a little bit, getting behind in some games,” said Flames veteran leader Blake Coleman. “You’re not going to come back every time. Just take it as a lesson, and go from there.”
The Flames close out a three-game home-stand with an early evening visit from the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. It will be another massive test against a tough opponent.
“It’s a hard league to win in,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “When you look at the way we have to play, it’s so important for us to be consistent with what we do. I don’t think, for the last couple games, we’ve been there for 60 minutes. We are not a team that can not play 60 minutes.”
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