Recap: Colorado falls to Calgary 3-2 in a shootout

One team looked desperate to simply have a shot to get into the playoffs and sure played like it in the third period.

The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up a four-game homestand tonight against the Calgary Flames, in which they ultimately lost by a final score of 3-2 in the shootout. Despite an incredible goal from Cale Makar and depth scoring from Logan O’Connor, it wasn’t enough to prevent a third period come back and loss to the Flames.

Let’s take a look back at all the action from tonight.

First Period

While it certainly wasn’t the prettiest of first periods, Colorado still managed to get a one-goal lead in this period, courtesy of a highlight reel individual effort from Cale Makar. On this goal, Makar managed to walk his way down the slot right in front of the Calgary net and made great use of a screen by Jonathan Drouin for his 28th goal of the year.

Second Period

Logan O’Connor would then get in on the action, as he scored his 10th goal of the season , just by outwaiting Dan Vladar to give Colorado a 2-0 lead. At that point it looked like Colorado was firmly in the driver’s seat of a win especially with a 21-12 shot advantage through two periods.

Third Period

Calgary would tie this game up at 2-2 in the third period, with back-to-back goals from Ryan Lomberg and Adam Klapka. Lomberg would get the Flames on the board first right as a Ryan Lindgren penalty expired with a net front scramble and some contact on Avalanche netminder Scott Wegewood . Then, 32 seconds later Adam Klapka would take advantage on a neutral zone turnover turned into a 2-on-1, tying the game late into the third period.

Overtime

Calgary had the majority of possession time and then puck-luck on their side, as a Brock Nelson shot trickled through and then sat right on the goal line for Dan Vladar but didn’t go in. Off to a shootout, with Ross Colton, Charlie Coyle and Val Nichushkin failing to convert, Yegor Sharangovich would be the only player between the two teams to ultimately convert in the skills competition, giving the Flames the 3-2 victory.

Takeaways

While giving up a two-goal lead in the third period is frustrating, to say the least, Colorado did still get a point tonight, and Calgary played exactly how you expected them to. They’re a desprate team currently to try and make it into the playoffs, despite how much of a long shot it might be at this point, and they played like a desprate team. Not that Colorado didn’t have anything to play for, but compared to Calgary, Colorado doesn’t have a whole lot to play for at this point in the season given their playoff positioning, while Calgary’s trying to make it to the playoffs. While it’s, again, frustrating to watch this team give up that lead in the third period, personally, I’m not really concerned about this team doing something like this once the playoffs come around. They know how to turn it on and play that style of playoff hockey when it’s needed, right now they just need to finish the regular season strong, which I fully expect they will.

Upcoming

Colorado heads out on the road once again, as they take on the Chicago Blackhawks for the last time this season on Wednesday, April 2. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. MT.