The Flames were desperate for a break. Even a disallowed goal didn’t deter them from finding a way to come back and win Game 3 in overtime over the Ducks by a score of 4-3 at a thunderous Saddledome.

The story of the game was the Flames’ resiliency. Like they had done to the Canucks in the first round, they got up off the deck and climbed their way back in a tough second round series with the heavily favored Ducks. Anaheim dominated the first two games outscoring them 9-1 in two home wins.

After falling behind on two straight Anaheim goals including one from Corey Perry, they drew even thanks to a brilliant Joe Colborne shorthanded tally. Taking advantage of Anaheim defenseman Hampus Lindholm falling down at the point, he broke in and deked Frederik Andersen twice before tucking home a forehand to tie it.

But a strong Ryan Kesler forecheck and set up for Matt Beleskey put the Ducks back in front 3-2 after two periods of play. The Flames had to find a way back in the third. They didn’t want to fall behind 3-0 like the Wild did in a 1-0 shutout home defeat to Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks.

The goal controversy came when rookie Sam Bennett appeared to put the puck in past Andersen with 6:22 left. During live play, it was unapparent that he could’ve scored with Andersen kicking his pads out followed by the Ducks icing the puck. Once they showed replays, it was obvious that Toronto would need a lengthy review to decide it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=11&v=OcAZT7CtAfE

The crazy aspect is that it was a repeat of current Flames assistant coach Martin Gelinas having a goal wiped out in Game 6 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final against the Lightning. In that scenario, he looked to have beaten Nikolai Khabibulin, who also made a kick save after the puck seemed across the goal line. Had it stood, Calgary would’ve led with under seven minutes left and would’ve had a chance to win the Cup. Instead, the game went to triple overtime before Martin St. Louis sent the series back to Tampa for Game 7 where they won the Cup 2-1 on two goals from closer Ruslan Fedotenko.

That it basically was identical to the Gelinas no goal at the same end 11 years later is wild. Somehow, Toronto ruled no goal using the lame excuse that it was inconclusive. The reaction on Twitter was priceless. Even the official Anaheim Ducks feed thought it was a goal.

Following the controversy, Calgary got a reprieve when Sami Vatanen was called for delay of game handing the Flames a 5-on-3 with Karri Ramo on the bench. Coincidental minors prior is why it was 5-on-3 and not 6-on-4. Rushing up the ice, Johnny Gaudreau skated to the right circle and released a perfect shot that went short side on Andersen with 19.9 seconds left in regulation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gScbyKFzGYI

Johnny Hockey’s miraculous tying goal allowed the Flames to force overtime. In it, there was no doubt that Mikael Backlund scored the winner at 4:24 of sudden death on a delayed penalty. Taking a pass from Dennis Wideman, he patiently waited for traffic to form in front of Andersen and skated to the middle and fired a low shot far side through a screen to win Game 3 touching off a wild celebration.

As the Flames were celebrating, Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf voiced his displeasure to refs Kelly Sutherland and Chris Rooney. Feeling that his team got the short end of the stick after they let go of an apparent trip a minute earlier, he let them know about it. That’s not why Anaheim lost. They made costly mistakes and didn’t bury early chances in OT with Ramo denying Perry and Getzlaf.

With two days off until Friday’s Game 4, it should make for an interesting 48 hours. At the very least, the NHL’s buffoonery in Toronto didn’t cost Calgary. For that, they’re extremely lucky. Anaheim did enough to get the Flames back in the series. They still have looked out of place against the Ducks heavy forecheck and supremely skilled stars. It’ll take a lot for them to even the series.