Hamonic’s Flames rally past Isles
MATTHEW Tkachuk scored twice in the third period, getting the tiebreaking goal with 1:05 left, to rally the Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Islanders in Brooklyn Sunday night.
Mark Jankowski also scored for the Flames, who pulled into a tie with Minnesota for the second wild card in the Western Conference. Mike Smith made 23 saves before leaving due to an injury with two seconds remaining. David Rittich came on to close the game.
Travis Hamonic notched an assist on Tkachuk’s late goal in his first game back in Brooklyn since the Islanders dealt him to Calgary in the offseason. The defenseman, who had 26 goals and 120 assists in 444 games over seven seasons with the Islanders, received a standing ovation from the crowd during a video tribute in the first period and was visibly emotional when discussing his time with the Islanders after Calgary’s morning skate.
Casey Cizikas and Anthony Beauvillier scored for the Islanders, while Jaroslav Halak finished with 39 saves. It was the 17th time in the Islanders’ last 23 games that they have surrendered 37 or more shots on goal.