The Golden Knights were unable to extend their win streak to three on Thursday night, losing 4-1 to the Flames in Calgary. The Flames scored all four of their goals in the third period after trailing 1-0 at the second intermission, but the events that unfolded in the third shocked no one.
“I don’t know if our guys just think they’re better than they are right now and they can get away with playing mediocre to average hockey for long stretches at key times of the game,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. I just don’t believe it’s a lack of confidence. You know, you can sense that as a coach.
“Sometimes guys are down, I don’t sense that. What I sense is a complete lack of urgency in those key moments and games get away from us.”
Anthony Mantha scored the Knights only goal with under three minutes remaining in the middle stanza. Beyond that, the offensive performance from the Knights did little to inspire. The defensive collapse that followed in the third period was even worse.
“We were trying to make plays and turned the puck over all night,” said Mantha. “They were able to come back and just score one, then score two real quick. We were chasing at that point, trying to open up the play for some offense, and it just hit us.”
Four minutes into the third, Igor Sharangovich scored his 28th goal of the season courtesy of a primary assist from Dryden Hunt and the secondary from Oliver Kylington. Six minutes later, Blake Coleman finished off a feed from Nazem Kadri to put the Flames ahead 2-1.
With 6:15 remaining, Matt Coronato tallied his second goal of the year for the Flames off the second primary assist of the night for Dryden Hunt. That’s extra notable because Hunt only had one assist on the season in advance of Thursday’s contest.
Blake Coleman’s 28th goal of the year found an empty net to settle the score at 4-1 in favor of the Flames.
“We talk all the time about how great our leadership group is. Well, it’s time,” Cassidy said. “It’s time to grab some people by the shirt and say, hey, let’s go. And I’m part of that group., but as I’ve said, usually this time of the year, it comes from within. They’ve got to want it.”
