The Calgary Flames headed to scenic Detroit to face the Red Wings on Wednesday evening at scenic Little Caesars Arena. Looking to bounce back from a sub-par effort against Ottawa, the Flames generally played fairly decent… but they just couldn’t get anything going offensively.

But a timely power play goal in the dying moments of the third period managed to get the Flames to extra time. They earned a point via a 2-1 overtime loss to Detroit.

The Flames had some good energy early, but they got into penalty trouble early – yes, again – and it cost them on the scoreboard.

With Matt Coronato in the box of punishment, it only took 32 seconds for Detroit to score. Alex DeBrincat fired a shot past Dan Vladar to give Detroit a 1-0 lead.

Jonathan Huberdeau took consecutive minors after the Coronato penalty, but one was killed off successfully and the second was wiped out when the Red Wings took a penalty midway through it.

First period shots were 8-7 Red Wings. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 7-4 Flames (high-dangers were 2-1 Flames).

The Flames didn’t get into penalty trouble in the second period, but they also didn’t get much going offensively as Detroit did a nice job of clogging up the slot area – and the middle of the ice, in general.

Second period shots were 10-5 Red Wings. Five-on-five scoring chances were 12-3 Red Wings (high-dangers were 6-2 Red Wings).

Detroit continued with their nice defensive scheme in the third period, but Dylan Larkin was called late in the period for a face-off violation for using his glove to play the puck. On the ensuing power play, the Flames broke through, with Connor Zary firing the puck through a Huberdeau screen and past Cam Talbot to tie the game at 1-1.

Third period shots were 12-8 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 8-3 Red Wings (high-dangers were 3-1 Red Wings).

This game headed to overtime! Both teams had some looks in extra time. The Flames were nabbed for a too-many-men minor in overtime. Lucas Raymond beat Vladar from the high slot with a nice wrister to give the Red Wings a 2-1 overtime victory.

Give Detroit credit: the Flames didn’t get a lot going offensively in this game, and that’s partially due to the Flames lack of in-game adjustments and partially due to the Red Wings doing a great job clogging up the middle of the ice. The Flames weren’t particularly bad, but they weren’t especially good either, and they managed to grind out a point due to their late power play.

Let’s give it to Vladar. The Flames didn’t have a ton going offensively and their goaltender was their most noticeable player throughout this game. He kept them in this one and set the table for the comeback.

The Flames got a late power play and desperately needed their special teams to be a difference-maker. That’s what transpired, and it allowed them to steal a point.

Hockey Canada management team members Doug Armstrong and Kyle Dubas were in attendance. With the 4 Nations Face-Off roster deadline looming, they were likely in town to scout MacKenzie Weegar.

The Flames have now scored power play goals in five consecutive games – that’s six man advantage markers over those five games.

The Flames (12-7-4) are headed to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Friday afternoon.