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With just over a third of the regular season to go, Calgary’s third-period reputation is well known to other teams yet the Flames remain effective at late-game pushes.

“We never feel out of games,” forward Josh Jooris said Tuesday.

A recent example was trailing the Edmonton Oilers by two heading into the third period Saturday before exploding for four goals. The Flames were up 2-1 on Winnipeg after two Monday and salted the 5-2 win away with two and an empty-netter in the third.

Calgary’s 66 third-period goals were the most by any team in any period as of Tuesday. The Flames have won nine when trailing after two, which was two better than the division-leading Anaheim Ducks.

The Flames aren’t a big, strong team, but they are nimble, fast and fit. As an opposing team’s gas tank starts to drain in the third, or if they play conservatively to protect a lead, Calgary can dictate the pace with their counter-attack and ability to close gaps quickly.

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“We’re a well-conditioned team and I think that has something to do with it for sure,” defenceman Kris Russell said.

“I feel like there have been times where we’ve been able to outskate teams in the third period. At the same time, if you’re up one, there’s a tendency to sit back a bit. We’ve done it too when we’ve had the lead. I think when we’ve been down, we’ve taken advantage of teams kind of sitting back.”