FLAMES BACK IN SERIES WITH WIN OVER BLACKHAWKS

The Chicago Blackhawks have had the Calgary Flames’ ‘number’ all season long.  Despite having lost six straight to the Blackhawks (4 in the regular season, 2 in the playoffs), the Flames battled back in game three to prevail 4-2 at Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome.  The victory cuts the Blackhawks’ lead in the series to a more manageable 2-1 with game four back on the Flames’ home ice on Wednesday.

Patrick Sharp’s power play goal at 2:03 of the first period assisted by Jonathan Toews and Martin Havlat gave the Hawks an early 1-0 lead.  Calgary’s Eric Nystrom would even the contest at the 6:40 mark with his first goal of the playoffs, set up by Curtis Glencross and Adrian Aucoin.  The Flames would pull ahead late in the second period on Rene Bourque’s score at 17:07 of the middle frame assisted by Olli Jokinen.  They’d quickly increase their lead to 3-1 as David Moss put the puck in the net at 1:18 of the third period assisted by Adam Pardy and Daymond Langkow.  Moss would score again at 5:24 with assists to Curtis Glencross and Jim Vandermeer.  Martin Havlat got one back for Chicago at 15:35 assisted by Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews.  The Blackhawks would get no closer, however, and the Flames would go on to win 4-2. 

Despite the victory, the Flames’ defense again struggled to contain the Blackhawks’ offensive attack.  Chicago held a 38-28 shots on goal advantage, but the Flames were bailed out by the play of goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff who made 36 saves and was awarded the game’s ‘first star’.  At this point, according to Calgary’s David Moss, the important thing is that they got the win:

“It will hopefully give us a little bit of momentum. We certainly weren't dwelling on the fact we were 0-6 versus them. We just had to win tonight. Going into Wednesday, we'll have the same attitude. We just have to win one and get the series back”

Blackhawk’s captain Toews said that he expects a better effort from his team in game four after dealing with the tough reality of playing on Calgary’s home ice:

"Now we know what to expect. It was a tough night playing in this building, a lot of adversity. We just have to learn how to overcome that a little bit better. Every guy on the bench, everyone's got to be yelling a little bit more and be ready to go. We just have to use this as fuel for the next night."

After Wednesday’s game four in Calgary the series will head back to Chicago, with game five slated for Saturday evening at the United Center.  Game six, if necessary, will be back in Western Canada on Monday night.