Costly Errors Spoil Promising Return For Down-On-His-Luck Flames Forward

In the first period, Calgary Flames winger Andrei Kuzmenko looked inspired, creating multiple offensive opportunities after sitting out the previous game again as a healthy scratch. By the time he met with media members after the contest, he sounded spent.

Kuzmenko was likely exhausted. Not just by the physical exertion. Mentally, he's been taking an absolute beating. Forget the nasty things being written about him on social media — ranging from 'trade him for a bag of pucks' to 'waive him immediately' — professional athletes are typically their own worst critics.

So there Kuzmenko was after a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, addressing his pair of costly penalties that saw veteran Ryan O'Reilly score on both Preds powerplays to kick off his hat-trick in the second period.

The second infraction was a wild one that had the entire Calgary Flames bench reacting in disbelief and dismay after Kuzmenko's stick snapped on a Flames man-advantage. Instead of tossing the top half, the Flames winger kept it in hand as he raced to kick a loose puck to a teammate.

“A stupid moment, right?” a frequently sighing Kuzmenko told reporters after the loss. “I have a mistake about penalty. OK, next time, I understand this rule.”

Kuzmenko went on to say he only learned the specifics about the rule on Saturday, but Flames head coach Ryan Huska said a little earlier than Kuzmenko's chat that his player had to have known better.

“I’m sure he knows the rule,” Huska said, noting the costly pair of offensive zone penalties. “He’s played in the NHL for a few years now.”

It wouldn't be the first time Huska and Kuzmenko have sounded out of synch recently.

It's worth noting that Kuzmenko's chat with reporters came out of the usual order of things. Typically, players are made available immediately, then the coach speaks last. But Kuzmenko came out after coach because he reportedly did a post-game workout.

He did mention a necessary effort to get in the best shape of his life.

"I need, everyday, work, work. I need the best shape in my life in future. Not now, but maybe next; next game, next week, next month. I understand, keep working every day — gym, bike, let's go, let's go — keep going."

Before the penalties, Kuzmenko had been an active ignitor of a handful of scoring chances for the Flames. He was playing more quickly and creatively than we've seen recently. Without results, though, only the penalties made a real impact. And not in a good way.

"Difficult moment, right? But stay positive," Kuzmenko said. "I understand there's a lot of chance, but it doesn't matter if you don't score."

"Doesn't matter. You don't help this team."

He hasn't been able to do that much this season. He hit 39 goals as a rookie with the Vancouver Canucks and thrived down the stretch with the Flames after being traded, but has one goal in 30 games this season and had been a healthy scratch in seven of the previous eight contests before Saturday's loss.

It's tough to imagine him back in the lineup again on Tuesday in Anaheim for the Flames' next game.