ELMONT, NY – Jonathan Huberdeau, when asked about his post-game New York state of mind, exhaled.
“That was one hell of a road trip,” said the player, about to board a charter flight home. The team can be proud of the franchise`s first-ever three-game winning streak in the tri-state area.
“After emotions like that, you just want to relax and have a nice beer.”
There were plenty of reasons to celebrate after a 4-3 overtime victory over the Islanders, a team that was equally desperate and whose game was as dramatic as an episode of “Law & Order.”
Following two dramatic comeback wins in Manhattan and New Jersey, the Flames needed heroic efforts again when Kyle MacLean scored a fortunate rebound goal, putting the hosts ahead 3-2 with 2:51 remaining.
In less time than a commercial break, Huberdeau, fighting off two cross-checks, managed to deflect Rasmus Andersson`s point shot past Marcus Hogberg.
New life.
A spectacular save by Dan Vladar with 13 seconds left in regulation set the stage for a slow, methodical overtime in which the Flames controlled the puck for the majority of four minutes, until Nazem Kadri scored the winning goal.
