Flames raced out to a 3-0 lead to tie the playoff quarter final aggregate score nearly immediately but let the handle slip before rallying again late to secure a 5-3 leg 2 win over Nottingham Panthers but falling just short 7-6 on aggregate.
At 4:53 Ryan Tait got Flames started and he added a 2nd at 7:35 before Peter Crinella on the powerplay ahead of the 10-minute mark had Flames up by 3 and back to even on aggregate. Tanner Sorenson, however, pulled Panthers back in front on the combined score at 12:30. In the 18th minute, Mike Hammond had the visitors at 3-2, down a goal on the night but back to a 2 goal aggregate lead ahead of the break.
The middle frame came and went before scoring kicked off in the 3rd. Albin Lindgren tied the game at 3 each at 42:31, but Brett Ferguson a few seconds later and Tait’s Hat Trick on a powerplay in the 50th minute had Flames in a 5-3 lead; a goal off the aggregate pace. Inside the last minute, Flames traded Taz Burman for an extra skater, but time ticked down on the game and the season with the Flames falling 7-6 on aggregate while being eliminated from further playoff contention.
Burman made 20 stops on 23 shots while Panthers' Peyton Jones was 35 of 40.
“This is a tough way to end a terrific season,” admitted Paul Dixon.
“I am glad they came out swinging tonight and they pushed as much as they could to get back in it and very nearly pulled it off.”
“There is no way to really describe the heartache we will all feel for a few days, but we had a good group of guys here and there is a lot we can build on to hopefully be even better when the new season starts in September.”
