Calgary Flames deny Phoenix Coyotes seventh consecutive win 4-2
Phoenix Coyotes headed into the match against Calgary looking for their seventh straight win as the team impressed at all levels but Flames caught fire in the opening period to take the match, 4-2, Thursday night, March 1, 2012, at the Jobing.com Arena in
Glendale, Arizona, United States.
Calgary was on a four-game slide, having lost to Phoenix two games earlier in a shootout competition, Flames were determined to get back in a big way.
Flames are back in the position they were last year and having to win their upcoming games to enter the playoff race without losing now.
"We were definitely desperate," said Calgary captain, Jarome Iginla. "Not even as much as the standings, we just needed to get momentum going back our way. We need to start with one win. The guys really competed hard tonight."
Former Montreal Canadiens player, Mike Cammalleri, netted his 15th goal of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season at 14:09 with Curtis Glencross following it up shorthanded less than two minutes later.
Olli Jokinen potted his 20th 1:23 later on the breakaway as Calgary surprisingly kept Phoenix at bay despite giving four straight penalties in the first period alone.
Raffi Torres and Michal Rozsival attempted to bring Phoenix right back, putting the weight on the Coyotes to overtake the match in round-three but Iginla capped off the contest with his 24th of the year at 19:13 in the third.
With Miikka Kiprusoff playing well in the Calgary net and Flames defenseman killing off their penalties, the visitors found a way to grab the much needed two points.
"We wanted to force the issue," said forward, Matt Stajan. "I thought we had strong penalty killing and Kiprusoff came up with big saves. That was the difference."
Mike Smith was in net again for Phoenix but fell on three of 30 shots but the Coyotes are favourites to bounce back against a struggling Columbus Blue Jackets team on Saturday.
Calgary has gained the momentum they needed and could have another win to move back into the playoff race as Flames are set to take on Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
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