For whatever reason, the Calgary Flames transform from a run-of-the-mill squad to the Dynasty Canadiens (or at least the Lanny McDonald, Cup-winning Flames) in the third period.
It happened in maybe a most dramatic fashion on Sunday. The Ottawa Senators built a 4-0 lead heading into the third period, yet Calgary tied it up with four goals on a ridiculous 24 shots on goal in the final frame.
(How much would you pay to see what Bob Hartley said to his team during that second intermission?)
Just feast your eyes on how much the Flames transform their play late in games:
First period: 36 goals this season
Second period: 58
Third period: 84
Overtime: nine
In other words, about 45 percent of their goals come in the third period, and 93 of 187 tallies (just under 50 percent) happen after the second period ends.
That’s ... ridiculous. If it carries over to a possible playoff run, someone might even need to contact Hollywood about this.
Ultimately, Ottawa still won 5-4 (SO), and the Senators are concocting their own interesting Cinderella story. You’d be kidding yourself if you argued that most people were focusing on that aspect tonight, though.