(Calgary) The Canadian came from behind for the second game in a row, but this time he managed to crown his comeback by winning.
Posted at 12:06 a.m.
Ben Chiarot scored his second goal of the game 63 seconds into overtime as the Montreal squad defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Canadian had to come from behind 1-0 and 3-1 before finally taking the lead when Mike Hoffman scored late in the third period. However, Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with less than 30 seconds left in regulation.
Chiarot played the heroes in extra period, deflecting a Rem Pitlick throw-in into the goal.
The Canadian had erased a 4-0 deficit on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, before losing 8-4. This time, his fighting spirit was rewarded.
Hoffman also had three assists and Chiarot one, while Nick Suzuki had a goal and two assists for the Canadian (14-34-7). Jeff Petry also scored a goal and Andrew Hammond stopped 30 shots.
Andrew Mangiapane had a goal and two assists, while Johnny Gaudreau and Blake Coleman were the other scorers for the Flames (32-14-7), who had won their previous 11 home games. Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 shots.
Forward Michael Pezzetta and defender Kale Clague were added to the Canadiens’ lineup at the expense of Mathieu Perreault and Corey Schueneman.
Jake Evans did not return to play in the third period. He was shouldered to the head by Brett Ritchie and hit in the face by clubs. The Canadian simply indicated that he was injured in the upper body.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Saturday when they visit the Edmonton Oilers.
Action from start to finish
The Flames took advantage of the largesse of the Canadian in his territory to quickly knock on the door, without however benefiting from it.
It took until 11:06 of the first twenty to see the Flames capitalize. Coleman was overlooked in net by Petry and Jake Evans and the Flames forward deflected a nice delivery from Mangiapane into the back of the net.
The Flames threatened on a power play late in the first period, but Hammond was skilled enough to frustrate Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli. He also played luck when a throw-in from Gaudreau deflected off his glove before ricocheting off the post, never crossing the goal line.
Just at the end of the penalty to Brett Kulak, the Canadian took advantage of a turnover from Oliver Kylington to counter-attack in excess and tied the game with 26 seconds on the clock. Artturi Lehkonen had his shot blocked by Markstrom, then Suzuki sent the return in front of the net. Petry was passing by and his throw snuck into the goal.
The Flames regained the lead at 12:08 of the second period. Alexander Romanov struggled to control a throw-in from Hammond in the corner and Gaudreau took the opportunity to collect the puck and step towards the net. Gaudreau scored with a shot into the top corner.
Mangiapane doubled the Flames’ shorthanded lead with 4:20 to go in the second period. He scored with a good backhand shot.
The Canadian closed the gap with 2:16 to go in the second period, on a two-man power play. Positioned at the mouth of the net, Suzuki surprised Markstrom with a low shot from the far side.
Chiarot finally brought everyone back to square one after 4:38 of play in the third period. After a nice run from Suzuki, Mike Hoffman gave up the puck to Chiarot, whose shot from the slot beat Markstrom.
There were plenty of opportunities for both teams thereafter and Hoffman finally gave the Canadian the lead with 2:45 to go.
The Flames, however, had time to respond. Lindholm was able to shoot into an open net with 27.3 seconds left, as Markstrom was replaced by an extra forward and after two straight disallowed clearances to the Habs.
Chiarot finally allowed the Canadian to have the last word in overtime.