Calgary Flames get back in playoff race with 3-2 overtime win over San Jose Sharks -NHL Update
Calgary captain, Jarome Iginla, led his team into the overtime extension while Matt Stajan scored the game-winner with 40 seconds left to go as the Flames edged San Jose Sharks, 3-2, Tuesday night, March 13, 2012, at the sold-out Scotiabank Saddledome in
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Flames are now officially back in the playoff race as they grabbed the crucial two points with a fourth straight victory, tying eighth place San Jose Sharks with 78 points. Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche are also tied at the same spot, making the
upcoming games interesting to see as all four teams fight for positioning.
San Jose’s top rookie, Logan Couture, scored the opening goal for his 29th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season 53 seconds into a fight filled first period. Sharks were given five playoff penalties throughout the contest
but Flames luckily killed four of them off.
Iginla setup Sven Baertschi for the equalising goal at 5:46 into the second followed by a goal of his own and 30th of the year with less than two minutes remaining to go.
"I've been very fortunate as a shooter to play with some great passers over the years and I'd love to keep it going, but the biggest thing, definitely, is this playoff run and the win," said Iginla.
Logan Couture managed to keep his team alive by levelling it 1:22 into the third on the power play which carried over from the second as Cory Sarich was booked at the 19:50 mark for high-sticking.
Stajan’s goal with 40 seconds before a shootout was to be called gave Calgary the much needed win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
"It's a great feeling," Stajan said. "Scoring a goal at any point is a great feeling, but to score the winner in overtime in a game of this significance, there is not really any way to describe it. It's a great feeling. We've been playing playoff hockey
here the last little bit and it's a great feeling."
Calgary is focused on winning and will have some tough competition going up against Phoenix Coyotes at home on Thursday.
San Jose has to win if they hope of staying number eight in the West as they host Nashville Predators on Thursday.
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