Belmont Park. Two stints later, it looked as if Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm scored two goals to break the islanders and end Calgary’s long losing streak.
But in the last period, the home team made a furious push, equalized – and ultimately won in overtime.
– In the last break we agreed to go out and give up a bit, says Sweden defender Sebastian Aho, who scored his first goal of the season himself, to Sportbladet.
Coming into the final 20 minutes, there was absolutely nothing to indicate anything other than that Calgary would win the duel at the stormy UBS Arena.
They found themselves leading 3-1, after two goals Michael Backlund And one from Elias Lindholm, who had the upper hand in shots with 30-12.
The first two periods were difficult for us, agrees Swedish full-back Sebastian Aho.
Flames really had a lot of chances, but Ilya Sorokin kept us in the match and in the third we were a lot better and scored some well-deserved goals.
Come out as a new team
Yes, the change of scenery can even be described as stunning. Suddenly the home team took a serious blow, sporadic shots at Jacob Markstrom and was duly rewarded. Anders Lee saved the ball and Kyle Palmieri was responsible for the equalizer.
– On the last break, we agreed to go out and give up some more. We showed we wanted the disc and we took it to their goal and achieved something, continues Aho.
The match was finally decided in overtime and when Skåne defender Rasmus Anderson was sent off from Calgary, which he himself considered extremely unfair, it was over. Young defender Noah Dobson cut the winning goal – on Matt Berzal’s third assist this evening.
– It was really great that we managed to win, says Sebastian.
Find the right Markstrom
Who shot himself in the first goal of the season already when he joined an attack in the first period, received a sandwich from the aforementioned Barzal just to the left of Markström and attacked the ball resolutely.
– I’m an offensive full-back and I try to keep up with the attacks as much as I can, without scoring every change. I feel like I’ve gotten better at finding my positions when it fits, and tonight was just a matter of follow-up and basically got an open goal, he explains.
– We’re generally trying to play the disc a little bit more this year, at a faster pace, and I like that.
For Flames, the loss at Long Island – the team’s fifth consecutive game – was of course bitter.
– We made some mistakes that cost us. Maybe that happens when the team doesn’t feel like 100, but we have to change that now. It starts with one win, says top scorer Backlund.
They get another chance against New Jersey in Newark the next night – while the Islanders go up in the derby against Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Series leader Boston got quick revenge for a scathing loss against Toronto this weekend.
They have defeated Saint. Lewis with 3-1 at home at TD Garden last night – and thus still undefeated on the ice at home.
It’s always nice to play here, in front of the crowded stands, says top scorer Trent Frederick.
Linus Olmark was again strong in the penalty area and stopped 25 shots.
As for the blues, there’s nothing fun at the moment. The loss against the Bruins was the seventh in a row.
The comeback Eric Gustafson had a successful evening in the US capital. He provided three assists as the Capitals, despite all the injuries, worked their way to a commendable 5-4 win against star-studded Edmonton.