CALGARY — In a piece of post-game tape that has become legendary among Canadian hockey writers, former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach John Brophy once laid down an estimated 70 ‘F-Bombs’ in his media scrum after a loss much like the one the Leafs suffered Friday night in Calgary.
It is 2015, however. So, as sure as we are that poor Peter Horachek is merely playing substitute teacher to these Maple Leafs — rather than a coach who might return next year — we also know he can’t clear his palate the way Mr. Brophy once did.
As such, after a 6-3 loss in which his first line was not only invisible but dominated by their opposite number, Horachek steamed as much as a coach can without leaning towards the profane.
"It was an awful start. We had two chances the whole first period, we had seven minutes in power play. They outworked us all over the (ice)," he fumed. "We should be not feeling very proud about that effort."
This one began with two Calgary goals just 2:01 apart, prior to the halfway point of the first period. It was part of a five-goal opening frame, as Calgary led 4-1 on goals by Johnny Gaudreau, Drew Shore, Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan’s first of two on the night.
The goals by Backlund and Monahan were both shorthanded and scored on the same five-minute major penalty given to Lance Bouma for kneeing. It was the first time in over 17 years that Calgary has scored twice on the same penalty kill, and pinpointed the Leafs utter disinterest in competing for the two points here. What should have been a rallying point for Toronto was instead the turning point for a Calgary win, their sixth in Calgary’s last eight games.
"You’ve got to have some personal pride," seethed Horachek. "You come into a building like this, a team’s fighting for the playoffs, you should be able to put it on the line against them. Show who you are, and show your character. Very disappointing.
"There’s only one way to play, that’s all the way out. You can’t say you’re tired. It’s on us. The top line… they’re minus three. There were a couple of guys who showed up, and the rest didn’t.
"Just too many guys that I don’t think were prepared to play the game."
Truly, the Maple Leafs were a collective disgrace, led by their highest paid player, Phil Kessel, who couldn’t have looked less interested in breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, the Monahan, Jiri Hudler, Gaudreau line was nothing short of stellar. It was the mismatch that decided this game, as the Monahan line combined for nine points, while Kessel and his mates were on the ice for three goals against and were pointless.
"We look at it that each game is crucial," said Gaudreau. "We need every single point. If you look at the standings, the playoff race, it’s thick. We came out flying there."
The shots were 28-28, James Reimer was perhaps average in the Leafs nets, and Calgary continued an amazing run of lethal shooting percentage. Going back to the final two periods of their 6-3 win over Anaheim on Wednesday, the Flames have scored 10 goals on their last 35 shots on goal.
Unsustainable? Well, that word might as well be stitched across the chest of Calgary’s sweaters, so often have we heard the phrase, "There’s no way the Flames can keep this up," this season.
"Yeah, we’re playing really well right now," said Gaudreau, who pulled into a tie for the NHL’s rookie scoring lead with Nashville’s Filip Forsberg, at 53 points each. "We’re feeling a little more comfortable as each game goes on. The chemistry is there and it’s a lot of fun playing with those two."
Toronto moves on to Vancouver for a Saturday night game, like the walking dead waiting for someone to guide them towards a final resting place. Nazem Kadri’s team-imposed suspension will now end, perhaps giving the Leafs some dearly needed jump against the Canucks.
Calgary, meanwhile, faces the Avalanche in Denver on Saturday, fresh off having taken over second place in the Pacific Division with Friday night’s win. It’s arrows up for the Flames right now, while the Leafs have nothing left in their quiver.
