Flames outclassed, outperformed and out of excuses after Heritage Classic loss

So much for the dismal performance in the home loss to the St. Louis Blues being rock bottom for the Calgary Flames.

The 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Sunday’s Heritage Classic outdoor game was not the dreadful effort we saw in the defeat to the struggling Blues, but in many ways is even more demoralizing.

The Flames, who are now riding a five-game losing skid (with all of those defeats in regulation time) were out-classed from the drop of the puck, with their never-ending penchant for giveaways, porous defensive play and inability to complete a pass front and center while the Oilers staked a 2-0 lead.

After Nazem Kadri scored on Calgary second five-on-three advantage in the first period, the fumbling Flames completely lost the momentum and just over a minute later surrendered what eventually became the game-winning goal.

Credit to MacKenzie Weegar driving the net and AJ Greer putting home the rebound late in the second period to again make it a one-goal game and a modicum of faith they could complete a comeback. But Calgary’s inability to find offense when it is needed most proved costly yet again when Vincent Desharnais sent a one-hopper into the net to restore Edmonton’s two-goal edge six minutes into the third period and snuff any comeback hopes.

For a team that talked ad nauseam about the last few games essentially being must-wins, the Flames have shown little reason to believe they are capable of backing up their words.

Losing is one thing. Not having any jump or execution to start the last couple of games, especially a big-stage affair against your biggest rival is another.

Halloween is not yet here and the Flames may have already dug their grave on the season.