Two days after Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames enthusiastically sang Katy Perry’s “Roar” to the media following a 3-2 comeback victory over the Arizona Coyotes, the Flames’ top scorer might have been inclined to ruefully recite Katy Perry’s hit “The One That Got Away” after their 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night at the Saddledome.
Despite trailing by a goal midway through the third period, a controversial call negated a potential tying goal by rookie Connor Zary, with the Maple Leafs challenging that Blake Coleman had passed the puck with his glove.
While the Flames (21-19-5, 47 points, third in the Western Conference wild-card race) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, both Flames head coach Ryan Huska and blueliner Rasmus Andersson dismissed the controversial call as the primary reason for the loss. Instead, they pinpointed the second period, citing “stupid plays in the neutral zone” that allowed the Maple Leafs to regain momentum. Captain Mikael Backlund acknowledged missed opportunities and turnovers in the neutral zone during the second period, contributing to Toronto’s comeback.
Despite stretches of strong play, the Flames struggled with puck management and lacked the offensive firepower to match players like Auston Matthews of the Leafs. The game highlighted the Flames’ strengths and weaknesses, including a lack of depth to withstand injuries. Martin Pospisil, part of Calgary’s best line, left the game with a lower-body injury, testing the team’s depth. Looking ahead to a matchup with the Edmonton Oilers, who are on a 12-game winning streak, the Flames recognize the need to address issues in the neutral zone.
Coleman acknowledged his subpar performance and called on the team to improve collectively, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and addressing key areas of their game.
