ANAHEIM, Calif. — Nate Thompson is now very much aware he spoiled the province-wide desire to resurrect the Battle of Alberta.
It was Thompson’s goal with less than nine minutes left in the NHL’s final game of the season that tied the Kings 3-3 Sunday and eventually gave his Anaheim Ducks the last point needed to clinch the Pacific division title over Edmonton.
A fine time to score his very first goal of the season.
Had the fourth-line centre not scored, and the Ducks lost, the Flames and Oilers would have squared off Wednesday night for Alberta's first provincial playoff series since 1991.