Miikka Kiprusoff manages to hold San Jose Sharks 4-3 for 300th win with Calgary Flames -NHL Update
Calgary’s Olli Jokinen played exceptionally well by scoring three goals, including the game-winner, allowing veteran goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff to grab his 300th victory with the Flames, edging San Jose Sharks, 4-3, Wednesday night, February 8,
2012, at the sold-out HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
The Flames luckily managed to hold on to the 10th number spot in the Western Conference, only two points away from topping eighth place Minnesota Wild.
Kiprusoff became the 27th goalie in National Hockey League (NHL) history to achieve the 300th win milestone, another addition to his already overwhelming career records.
He had 34 saves out of a total of 37 attempts by the San Jose opposition.
"It's a nice number," Kiprusoff said. "Right now it's not that big a deal. It's nice, but we have a job to do here. We're fighting for the playoffs, and we need those wins. But, yeah, it's a good number."
Olli Jokinen kicked off the scoring with his 14th of the 2011-2012 NHL regular season for the only goal of the opening period. Calgary was awarded a power play opportunity with less than a minute remaining, but failed to capitalise.
Jokinen took advantage of their next power play chance as Benn Ferriero was booked for interference 2:21 into the second and added the extension shot, followed by San Jose’s Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski nearly a minute apart to level the contest.
Calgary Flames captain, Jarome Iginla, was found open by Jokinen and assisted the tie-breaker to take the lead entering the final period of regulation.
Michal Handzus took the power play opportunity to put San Jose right back up at par but Jokinen was not done scoring right then and there, as he finished off his much deserved hat trick, giving Calgary a well earned victory.
"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time," Jokinen said. "It doesn't matter who scores the goals. You have to play with the team system, and tonight was my turn to score."
Calgary has the next on the road against Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday while San Jose will square off at home with Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
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