Calgary Flames keep Winnipeg Jets below playoff line with 5-3 win -NHL Update
Calgary kept Winnipeg at bay and just below the playoff divisional line along with moving up closer to the postseason spot themselves as the Flames dominated Jets, 5-3, Friday night, March 9, 2012, at the sold-out Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada.
It could not have been a better time for Calgary grabbing some wins as they have two consecutive now and only a single point away from tying eighth place San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference.
The time could not have been any worse for Winnipeg Jets, who have now lost two back-to-back, and remain unable to overtake the number eight team in the Eastern Conference, Washington Capitals, despite being tied with 72 points.
There were Jets fans in the building as well, giving an ecstatic feel to the environment with both sides competing for domination over the other.
"The atmosphere in the building was great," said Alex Tanguay. "The Jets fans were here and they were certainly very loud. It helps our crowd as well. They were trying to match up and over-cheer the Jets fans."
Calgary came out with a strong game plan right in the start as they scored three straight entering the opening period.
Mark Giordano and captain, Jarome Iginla, fired off two straight on power play opportuntities as Mark Flood and Tanner Glass were booked nearly three minutes apart. Matt Stajan added the extension goal at 12:51 to give Flames a dominated, 3-0 lead.
"It's huge," Matt Stajan said. "We've just got to take care of our business and there are going to be teams that are going to win games and teams that lose games. All we can do is control what we do. Hopefully we look at the newspaper tomorrow morning and
we sit in a better position but we can't have any let-ups, we can't be satisfied with anything."
Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler potted two back-to-back goals for Winnipeg to keep Jets alive in the game followed by Alex Tanguay in the second and Curtis Glencross’ insurance goal a little over midway through the third.
Tobias Enstrom added the third and final for Winnipeg but down 5-3 with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, Calgary was bound to keep their hard earned lead.
Flames are working towards the playoff spot and with a charged fan base and eccentric players, routing Minnesota Wild in their next matchup on Sunday would not be a surprise.
Winnipeg is also looking to bounce back into the postseason race and have the chance when they kick off a three-game home stand against Dallas Stars on Wednesday.
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