Calgary Flames Lose To Maple Leafs, 2nd Periods Be Damned

Dec 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) warms up before playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The final score reads 4-1 in favour of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In a weird way, a 3 goal loss is a compliment to the Flames commitment to never give up.  With just over a minute to go, the Flames (like 99.9% of other NHL teams) pulled their goalie in an effort to score the game tying goal.  When the Maple Leafs scored into the empty net to make it a two goal lead, Coach Bob Hartley did what I believe 1% of NHL coaches would do in this situation, he pulled his goalie again.  The Leafs would score their second empty netter but I appreciate the never say die attitude.  What I don’t appreciate is our 2nd periods during this 2 game losing streak.

For the 2nd straight night, our Flames arrived late to the 2nd period.  Last Saturday versus San Jose, after dominating the first period, our Flames watched as the Sharks scored two goals in the first 2:34 of the middle stanza.  Our Flames were able to recover shortly after and get back to pressing the issue for a win.  Well tonight in Toronto, after “winning” the first period, our Flames sat back and watched the Maple Leafs hustle and bustle for the first half of the middle stanza.  Unlike Saturday, there was no real recovery to the slow start in the period being outshot 13-4 and outchanced what felt like 130-14.

I put “winning” the first period in quotation because the Leafs won where it matters – – the scoreboard.  The Leafs opened the scoring after Jiri Hudler took a shot that rebounded off Bernier’s blocked and led to Johnny Gaudreau dipsy-doodling around the crease and being robbed by the Leafs goalie.  The play then went up ice and ended up in our own net.

Johnny Gaudreau continues to astound with his puck movement and ice vision.  Michael Ferland continues to win the Sportsnet TV “crunch of the game”.  Markus Granlund continues to show he belongs in the NHL.  So there are positives.

Mason Raymond looked like a gentleman playing his first game in 45 days.  David Jones had his first “David Jones circa 2013-14” game in a while.  Deryk Engelland is still Deryk Engelland.  TJ Brodie was caught up ice too many times.  So there are things that are going to continue to improve.

Up next, the classic trap game.  The lowly Buffalo Sabres on Thursday – the day before the vaunted Pittsburgh Penguins are our opponents.

FOCUS!