It was the unofficial 14th act in Lemony Snicket's best-selling fiction, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
As the Flames exited the ice following Sunday's matinee at the Scotiabank Saddledome, they couldn't help but feel a bit cheated.
All three goals in a 3-2 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs were the result of a bad bounce in the paint.
Otherwise, Jacob Markstrom was perfect.
Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk supplied the offence and the Flames rang up the shots on Leafs goalie Jack Campbell, but it wasn't enough as the locals fell for the first time in regulation, dropping their record to 2-1-1 on the year.
"There were some unlucky bounces, but I think we were playing (well) and if you keep working hard in practice and keep working hard in games, doing the little things right, these bounces are going to stop," said Markstrom, who stopped 29 shots and maintains a .928 save percentage through four games. "We've just got to be working harder and create our own luck."
Despite the tough breaks, Markstrom has been otherworldly for the Flames this year.
On opening night in Winnipeg, he allowed four goals - two off the stick of renowned sniper and new Columbus Blue Jacket Patrik Laine, another on a 5-on-3 penalty kill, and the other off a giveaway, creating a point-blank chance from the hash marks.
Since then, the 6-foot-6 netminder has dug only six pucks out of his own net.
Not a one beating him cleanly.
Literally every goal since has either taken a funny bounce en route, was kicked around in the crease or knocked in directly by one of his own teammates. Still - and with a rematch against the Leafs on tap - the Flames aren't lamenting the bad breaks and what ifs. They're determined to make their own luck.
"Toronto tests everything about you," said Head Coach Geoff Ward. "They go to the net well and we saw that - they got some greasy goals going to the net and that's what you need. As much as we were happy with our play for a large part of the hockey game, they did some things that made a difference and going to the net hard was one of them. I think we're pleased, overall, with the first game coming off that break, but now, our '12-hour rule' is over, that game is parked and we're looking forward to the game tomorrow now."
