NHL 20 Sim: Flames blow third period lead, fall in OT 4-3 to Islanders

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Calgary Flames 3 – New York Islanders 4 (OT)

Scoring

Calgary Flames

1st: 15:40 PPG- Monahan (24) (Gustafsson, Lindholm) 16:13- Bennett (9) (Czarnik, Jankowski)

2nd: 9:15 SHG- Ryan (11) (Giordano)

3rd: None

OT: None

New York Islanders

1st: 14:51- Bailey (15) (Greene)

2nd: 1:49- Bailey (16) (Nelson)

3rd: 17:56- Clutterbuck (4) (N/A)

OT: 2:37- Leddy (4) (Nelson)

Recap

For a second consecutive night, the Flames carried a tie past regulation against a New York state team. There were no heroics tonight however, as Nick Leddy buried the winner 2 minutes into the extra frame, as the Islanders slipped a goal through David Rittich in every period.

Calgary fell behind first in this one, after Andy Greene forced a turnover on a Flames breakout, Josh Bailey handcuffed Rittich before scoring low blocker. The Islanders took a penalty off the ensuing center ice faceoff, sending the Flames to the powerplay. Erik Gustafsson hammered a slap shot towards the net, which Sean Monahan neatly deflected down between Semyon Varlamov’s legs.

They didn’t let off the pressure, as the newly formed fourth line with the summoned Austin Czarnik constructed a beautiful passing play. Mark Jankowski forced a turnover at the Islanders blueline, and sent a quick past to Czarnik, who set up Sam Bennett in the slot.

The Islanders tied it early in the second, after David Rittich stopped Josh Bailey’s close chance, but was unable to stop his second attempt. Cal Clutterbuck and Andrew Mangiapane traded penalties barely 40 seconds apart, giving the Islanders a brief powerplay. Mark Giordano carried the puck out of Calgary’s zone and showed great patience waiting for Derek Ryan to be available back door.

The Flames played a decent game for most of the third, including an Elias Lindholm shot off the crossbar on the powerplay. With two minutes left, the Islanders fourth line broke through. Derek Brassard’s initial shot was blocked, but the rebound fell right to Cal Clutterbuck at the side of the net, who made no mistake burying the tying goal.

Austin Czarnik was rewarded for his strong return, and began the overtime period on the ice. He was run questionably into the boards by Anders Lee, whom had to answer the bell against Travis Hamonic. Matthew Tkachuk had two breakaway attempts seconds apart, but couldn’t find the back of the net. He then found himself forced to defend a 2 on 1, where Brock Nelson sent a beautiful pass to Nick Leddy who slid it five-hole on Rittich for the winner.

Flame of the Game

Erik Gustafsson (D): He’s proven to be the exact player the Flames needed for their top powerplay unit, and was solid all over the ice tonight. Shoutout to Austin Czarnik, who finished +2 and an assist in his return to the lineup.

by Gordie Taylor