Evgeni Nabokov was but a minute away from an NHL leading 32nd victory when the Calgary Flames roared back up the ice to gain a tying goal with 43 seconds to go in regulation time.
Dion Phaneuf featured large in the final stages of Tuesday nights game, as he scored the equalizer while the Flames having pulled their goaltender were on a two man advantage, his long shot found its way through traffic in front of Nabokov to send the game into overtime at 3-3.
Phaneuf’s tying goal and the Jarmoe Iginla winner that would follow as overtime was winding down capped a remarkable 4-3 comeback victory by the Flames ,who were heavily outplayed for the bulk of the first session of their five game road trip.
The Sharks out shot the Flames 43-18 but Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff rose to the occasion stopping all but three Shark shots to lead his Flames on to victory.
The win may loom large by playoff time as it came against an all important Division competitor. The Flames face four more Pacific teams on this road trip, which could make or break their bid to secure a playoff spot in the extremely tight West.
It was another disappointing night for the Sharks, who suffered their second loss in five games part of a six game home stand that is leaving the fans a little concerned about their focus heading into the stretch drive.
The Sharks have been the subject of blowing trade winds of late; most recently as a deal was percolating with Ottawa for defenceman Wade Redden, only to be scuppered when he chose not to waive his no trade clause.
Left unsaid after all of that was made public was which Shark players might be on the trading block, leaving things a tad uncertain in the Bay area as the trade deadline edges closer.
A few more nights like Thursday and more than few Sharks may begin to feel that they could be changing addresses come February 26th.
No comments:
Post a Comment