Flames Hawks Tie One On 

Flames Blow 3rd Period Lead But Salvage Tie


February 6th, 2002
D'Arcy McGrath

Lowry Conroy Iginla
Gelinas Conroy Saprykin
Niedermayer Yelle Sloan
Berube Begin Nichol
Lydman Boughner
Leopold Montador
Dupont Mottau

Change the recipe, change the out come.

A consistent pattern has formed through the 2002-03 season; the Flames will come up short on special teams, have their goaltender out played by the opposing stopper, and have their best players generally not play up to the title of their best players.

Against Chicago on Thursday night, at least two of the above three changes leading to a 3-3 tie.

Jamie McLennan was solid in net, matching Chicago backup Steve Passmore save for save in a thrilling finish to a somewhat mundane contest.

Flame stars, Jarome Iginla and Chris Drury both scored for the home side giving the Flames a well over due boost and a point at home, ending a three game losing skid.

Iginla opened the scoring just under eight minutes in by doing something that he regularly did last season, but has seldom done this season - drive to the net.

Passmore turned aside his effort, but Iginla was bulled over from behind, colliding with the goaltender and skittering the puck into the cage.

The score stayed 1-0 Calgary through two periods and into the third frame until Chicago defenceman Lyle Odelein fired a screened shot from the point to tie things up at one.

Seven minutes later the Hawks were back for more when Mark Bell and Tyler Arnason combined to set up Kyle Calder in the slot to make it 2-1 Chicago.

Given the struggles faced by Calgary through the season you could understand the visible sag at the Saddledome as witnesses observed what seemed to be yet another home loss in a very regretful season.

Just a handful of seconds later however, the Flames tied the score when Oleg Saprykin knocked down a clearing attempt in the Hawk zone, took the puck to the net and fed a streaking Martin Gelinas. Gelinas had his shot brilliantly turned aside by Passmore, but Chris Drury pounced on the rebound, cradled the puck towards his body and beat the fallen goaltender to tie the score at two.

The Flames enjoyed a fairly dangerous powerplay in the last few minutes of regulation time but couldn't beat Passmore with their chances.

With less than 20 seconds left in the third Gelinas was whistled for hooking, sending the Hawks to a 4-3 powerplay in overtime. 

Queue Jamie McLennan's heroics.

The Flames stopper was forced to turn aside 10 Chicago overtime shots, including five on their man advantage but stood tall to preserve the win.

The tie does little to the Flames standing in the west, as they still reside in the last position in the conference. Chicago moved into a tie with Anaheim for the 8th and final playoff spot, with an extra game on the books.

Calgary travels to Edmonton to play the Oilers on Friday night.

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SCOREBOARD

Calgary Flames 2
Chicago Blackhawks 2

1) Jamie McLennan - Saved the Flames bacon in overtime, solid through out. 

2) Kyle Calder - Scored a great third period goal that looked to be the winner.

3) Jarome Iginla - Good jump, one goal, seven shots on goal.

Timing, timing ... timing. Jamie McLennan stoned Sergei Berezin with three seconds left on the overtime clock when he slid across the crease and stacked his pads.

 

Tyler Arnason lowered the boom on Flames defenceman Steve Montador by using his upper body to toss the Flame defender as he fished for the puck in his skates.

Anyone notice .. the Hawks just don't seem "right" with Theo Fleury playing forward, and Chris Chelios and Tony Amonte playing elsewhere. Free agency may have helped the player's cause but they don't do a lot for team recognition. ... Speaking of Theo Fleury. The former Flame captain, and all time franchise point leader was treated well by his former fans through two periods but lost the crowd in the third with no less than four temper induced scrums. ... The Flames out shot the Blackhawks by a margin of 18-7 through the first 30 minutes of the game, but were then pressed on to their heels to the tune of 24-9 for the remainder of the game. ... The Flames dominated the face off circle, winning 66% of the draws (43-21). Every Flame center finished at .500 or better with Stephane Yelle leading the way with a 13-7 night. ... Look for Darryl Sutter to send a further message on goaltending by starting McLennan again tomorrow night in Edmonton.

 

  Calgarypuck.com
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