Flames go out smokin'

By Quad-City Times staff | Tuesday, April 15, 2008

SAN ANTONIO — The Quad-City Flames closed their first season in a blaze of glory.

Too bad it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

For the second consecutive game, and the third time in four games this week, the Flames rallied in the third period for a win, this time

4-3 against the San Antonio Rampage on Sunday.

“It’s obviously a bitter feeling when you don’t make the playoffs,” coach Ryan McGill said. “But to win two games in a tough building, being down after two periods — it’s a tremendous accomplishment.”

Flames forward Krys Kolanos scored two goals, giving him 30 and tying him with Grant Stevenson for the team lead. Possibly none was bigger, though, than the one he scored at 17:47 of the third period.

Kris Chucko tied the score at 13:03 on a goal that pointed out a change in the Flames’ strategy — get to the net at whatever the cost. Chucko screened San Antonio goaltender Al Montoya, and defenseman Tim Ramholt’s shot deflected in off Chucko.

A little later, Kolanos rushed the net and took a shot, corraling his own rebound before skating behind the net and firing a low shot from the opposite side that eluded Montoya again.

“Our transition game was much better,” McGill said. “We had some chances in last two games where before the goalie made saves and (this time the) goalie didn’t make saves.

“That and we just buried our chances. Sometimes we’ve been snakebit.”

The Flames then fought off numerous Rampage rushes to finish the season at 38-32-3-7.

Now the Flames head into the offseason, where McGill said he hopes players take the lessons of the season’s last week to heart. He said the Flames showed work ethic and character in rallying, things they’ll need to have to remain with the organization next season.

“They have to (learn from Saturday and Sunday), if they’re going to get better as a group,” McGill said. “Our job will be to help  them evaluate their games in the next couple days and help them develop, not only physically but mentally.”

Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or e-mail sports@qctimes.com