GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Keith Primeau laughed, it was so bad.
Rick Tabaracci never saw it.
But Primeau's flopping wrist shot past a screened Tabaracci was the unmistakable beginning of the end for the Calgary Flames.
Nursing a three-goal lead with 21 minutes left in the game, the hard-working Flames found a way to lose a point after Primeau's shot ignited a comeback that turned a potential rout into a 3-3 tie.
"It seemed like it was second-class mail," laughed Primeau of his shot. "It took about 30 seconds to get there."
The late second-period goal delivered the Hurricanes from an embarrassing three-goal deficit against a Flames roster decimated by injuries.
With eight regulars out with injury, the Flames stormed back from one of their worst performances ever in losing to Tampa the night before.
Behind the offensive wizardry of Michael Nylander and German Titov, theFlames opened a 3-0 lead before the smallest crowd in Hurricanes' history.
But the 5,515 fans watched as the Flames crashed and burned.
After blowing a three-goal lead you might expect fiery coach Brian Sutter to erupt in anger as he had after the Tampa loss.
But it was a kinder, gentler Sutter who chose the carrot instead of the stick after the game. "For the most part, we played a heck of a hockey game," said Sutter.
"Give the guys credit for what they did. We played three games in four nights and they worked their butts off. (Carolina) got some bounces too.
"The boys played hard. It's disappointing when you have a 3-1 lead going into the third period lead for that to happen, but it wasn't for lack of effort or mistakes. You take the point. There were a lot of good things out there."
Was that really Brian Sutter?
It was a Flames team that is now without eight players because of injury.
But in this season of underachieving, there must be genuine disappointment at blowing a rare chance to win.
It was the first time this season the Flames have led any game by three goals.
"We played a good game, but the puck bounced the wrong way a few times," said Tabaracci. "I think we have to look at this as a positive game. We really did play well and did some of the things we didn't do in Tampa. Sure, you want to take two points out of a game like this, but I think we are going home on a good note. It has been a long road trip for everyone. There is no doubt the focus is on the defensive aspect of the game, but we are going home with some momentum and everyone feels a little better after this one."
There is hope that some of the injured eight will return for the team's four-game homestand. But there is no guarantee anyone will be ready for Chicago on Thursday.
Of major concern has to be the sputtering powerplay.
The Flames are now 0-29 with the man advantage and failed to capitalize on a powerplay in overtime.
"Our powerplay didn't get it done and that can make a difference in a hockey game," said Sutter.

The one positive this trip (1-2-2), was the re-emergence of Tabaracci as a bonafide starter.

"We had to scratch and claw in a few games on this trip and still came out with some points," said Tabaracci. "Now we may get some of those guys back from injury and we're going home and obviously, we're not all smiles, but certiainly we have some optimism going into our own building."
The fact blowing a three-goal lead gives this team optimism tells you everything you need to know of the team that is coming home.

---

Back To Tabby Notes