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CALGARY – Labouring with every stride he took towards the bench with 90 seconds remaining, Dan Vladar’s body language said everything about the game he’d just played.
Having weathered a barrage of shots and traffic through an opening 30 minutes that saw his Calgary Flames down 3-0, the man who faced 42 shots appeared spent.
“I mean, the first 25 minutes didn’t stop,” exhaled Vladar, following a loss to a Carolina Hurricanes club that averaged a shot per minute over that early stretch.
“So, I was really tired. I skated a lot the last couple days, so I was cramping up at the end.”
Suffice it to say, the streak is over.
After opening with a franchise-best 5-0-1 record, the Flames were beaten at their own game Thursday by a deep, relentless Hurricanes club that left town with a 4-2 win.
Oh sure, the Flames demonstrated their trademark reliance with a second-half surge that got them within 3-2 with seven minutes left.
But shortly after Vladar’s painful-looking dash to the pine came to a merciful end, a Carolina empty-netter made it official – the Flames had lost in regulation for the first time.
“We’ve played with fire a little bit, getting behind in some games, and you’re not going to come back every time,” said Blake Coleman, whose club had won three of its first five in comeback fashion.
“Take it as a lesson to start on time. We were just a little flat the first 25, 30 minutes of the game. But I thought the response was good, we were never out of the game, and we came back and made it a one-goal game with a chance to tie it late.
“There’s no quit, everybody believes we’re in every game.”
They have been, much to the NHL’s surprise.
Despite the pressure and onslaught of shots the Flames knew they’d face early from one of the league’s speediest teams, Vladar was spectacular, stopping 13 of 14 in the first period.
However, a five-minute lapse to open the second saw the Flames outshot 10-1 and suddenly trailing by three.
That, agreed Ryan Huska, was where the game was lost.
Yet, Vladar endured, making him the story of the night for Flames fans looking for some positives on a night the club finally fell short on a comeback.
“Vladdy was awesome all night, made some 10-bellers and gave us a chance to be fighting to tie the game at the end,” said Coleman, whose club got goals from Jake Bean and Jonathan Huberdeau.
“Without him, there’s no opportunity to get back in the game.
“Both our goalies have been strong for us and they’re going to need to continue to be as we move forward.”
The tests will just keep coming for the Flames, as they face undefeated Winnipeg, on Saturday.
The Flames may line up with last year’s leading goal scorer, Yegor Sharangovich, back in the lineup.
Sharangovich and Sam Honzek returned to practice Thursday and are listed as day-to-day by the coach, meaning one or two players may have to be sent to the minors as early as Friday.
Tough decisions await, as the club’s depth has shone through the first two weeks.
Thursday’s scratch, Adam Klapka, and Matt Coronato would appear to be the most likely to be sent down, as neither require waivers.
It hardly seems fair, as Coronato has had several good outings, and Klapka has been very good as a checking fourth liner.
The play of Honzek and call-up sensation Justin Kirkland will likely keep both around despite the return of Kevin Rooney to the fourth line Thursday.
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Given how unexpected the Flames’ start has been, you can bet most fans will shrug off Thursday’s loss, suggesting it’s no big deal.
Not so for the players, said Huska.
“I would hope they don’t,” said Huska, pointing out his club hasn’t been on top of its game the last few outings.
“It’s a hard league to win in and you take your foot off for a second…
“When you look at the way we have to play, it’s so important for us to be consistent in what we have to do and I don’t think the last couple games we’ve been there for 60 minutes.”
On Thursday, they were there roughly half of it.
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