Another third-period lead, another brutal loss. The Flyers absolutely choked an overtime decision, falling 4-3 to the Flames on Sunday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, pushing their record to a dismal 4-10-5. Seriously, this team is finding new ways to lose.
Third Period Nightmares Are Sticking Around
It was a total gut punch, man. Matt Coronato sealed it for Calgary with only 52 seconds left in the bonus period after the Flames got a 3-on-1 rush. Why? Because Owen Tippett played the puck toward the net with two of his own guys looking for a deflection. You can’t make this stuff up. But here’s the real kicker: this is the second game in a row where they’ve blown a late lead. Just days earlier, they coughed up a 2-1 lead with 6:08 left against the Rangers and lost in regulation, 3-2. Coach Rick Tocchet even called that finish “inexcusable.”
This isn’t just a fluke, either. The Flyers gave up *three* one-goal leads against the Flames. Remember old friend Joel Farabee? He burned them on a shorthanded goal when the Flyers were on the power play, tying the game up instead of building on their lead. Oliver Bonk tried to collect a loose puck on the offensive blue line, had it poked away, and boom, Farabee was gone for the breakaway. This squad has had 10 games decided by just one goal this season, and they’ve lost a staggering nine of them, going 1-4-5 in those tight battles. That’s a concerning trend.
Some Guys Are Playing Their Hearts Out, But It’s Not Enough
Look, it wasn’t all bad. Dan Vladar, facing his old club, was a beast in net, denying 22 of 26 shots. He made a marvelous save on Martin Pospisil with 1:06 left to keep the game tied, and he turned away Farabee twice in the final 2:46. The dude was trying to will them to a win. Tippett, Denver Barkey, and Noel Acciari got the Flyers’ goals. Barkey even opened the scoring in the first.
But even when they scored, the Flames responded. Zayne Parekh split Tippett and Trevor Zegras way too easily to tie the game at 1-1 in the first. Then, after Acciari gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the second, Flames netminder Devin Cooley robbed Tippett with a sprawling glove save just 27 seconds later. That was a massive stop because it allowed the Flames to tie it 3:16 minutes later on a Zach Whitecloud goal. Tippett did break through later in the second with a power play goal, giving them a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission. He was highly active, finishing with six shots. The offense is trying, but the defense in crunch time? It’s just not there.
This club has just four wins in its first 19 games. Let that sink in. The 2006-07 Flyers, the franchise-worst team that finished 22-48-12, had *more* wins at this point, sitting at 5-12-2. This current squad is actually worse than the absolute bottom at the 19-game mark. They’re 0-1-1 on this five-game road trip so far, stumbling when it matters most.
The Flyers see the Flames again December 11 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. They’ve gotta figure out how to close out games, or this season is going to be a long, painful ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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