Calgary Flames Blow Big Lead in Third, Trail 3-0 in Series

The Calgary Flames were in firm control of getting right back in the series, but another meltdown in the third period and overtime has them on the ropes.

There is no place like home – if you’re the Calgary Flames when it comes to playing the Anaheim Ducks in the playoffs. But on Monday night, there was a place like home. A place where the Flames once again let a potential victory slip away.

Summary

Calgary played with plenty of resiliency and energy in the early going, taking a 2-0 lead midway through the first on goals from Sean Monahan and Kris Versteeg. But boy, Calgary really has to learn how to close out periods — only it may be too little too late.

This team let Nick Ritchie score with 4:27 left in the first period, cutting the lead in half. But in the second period, the Flames extended the lead to three — as Michael Stone and Sam Bennett added markers.

But Calgary couldn’t close out the period in proper style — allowing Shea Theodore to score with 49 seconds left in the second. The Flames played more conservative in the third and it cost them. Nate Thompson scored a controversial goal that needed review for being a possible high stick”

Theodore tied the game with 4:41 left, sending the game into overtime. Ducks’ sniper Corey Perry tipped home a pass early in overtime to give Anaheim a 3-0 series lead. The sea of red went quiet, and the Flames are suddenly on the edge of elimination.

What Went Wrong

The Flames did everything right for the first 30 minutes of the game, but this is truly the second round of the 2015 playoffs all over again. Calgary just isn’t experienced enough to play with big leads in big games.

The experience showed from Anaheim. Head coach Randy Carlyle made a gutsy call to replace John Gibson with Jonathan Bernier after the fourth (and final) Flames goalie. Perhaps Glen Gulutzan should have considered Brian Elliott after the third or fourth Ducks’ goal, who had a very mediocre outing to say the very least.

Calgary was sloppy after 40 minutes. They tried way too hard to be fancy and couldn’t make the passes. They couldn’t get the puck out of their end. We could just see the nerves from the Flames while the Ducks played with more passion and energy down the stretch.

What The Loss Means

Only four teams in NHL history have gone on to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Two have come from this decade — the Philadelphia Flyers over the Boston Bruins in the second round during the 2010 playoffs — and the Los Angeles Kings over the San Jose Sharks in round one in 2014.

But can Calgary erase the deficit? Anything is possible — but it’s tough to see the Flames pulling it off against the powerhouse Ducks.

Anaheim is just two years removed from a trip to the Western Conference Final, and they’ve been in the postseason every year since 2013. Calgary is in the playoffs for just the second time since 2010. The experience has clearly been a factor — you just have to watch the third period film over the first three games.

The Ducks have shut down the Flames top offensive stars, have exposed their defence and are putting pucks past Brian Elliott. History suggests Anaheim is prepared to put this series away by Game 5 at the earliest.

Next: Matthew Tkachuk and Ryan Kesler: Mirror, Mirror

But can a new leaf be turned over? We’ll learn a lot about the Calgary Flames as they try to keep their season in Game 4 on Wednesday.

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Calgary Flames Blow Big Lead, Trail 3-0 in Series

The Calgary Flames were in firm control of getting right back in the series, but another meltdown in the third period and overtime has them on the ropes.

Summary

More from Flame for Thought

What Went Wrong

What The Loss Means