CALGARY, AB -- Historically, the visiting team at NHL outdoor games have walked away with two points. The Calgary Flames were able to buck the trend on Sunday, handing the Montreal Canadiens a 4-0 loss at the Heritage Classic.
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 39 shots in his fourth shutout of the season while eight Flames recorded points in the victory.
The first period was all Flames with Calgary dominating the play and outshooting the Habs 19-8. Rene Bourque scored the first goal at McMahon Stadium when he was able to to tip an Alex Tanguay pass into the net at 8:09 of the first period.
Despite improved play by the Habs in the second period, the Flames were able to build on their lead with a shorthanded goal from Anton Babchuk and an even strength marker from Bourque.
Alex Tanguay added the Flames fourth goal of the night in the third period while the Flames were on the power play.
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With the Habs aiming to get back in the game in the second period, the Flames tried to stay as responsible defensively as they could but Jay Bouwmeester was nailed with an interference call in his own zone, handing Montreal their first power play of the game. It looked like the perfect opportunity for the visitors to tie the game up but the Flames had other ideas.
Babchuk gave his club a two-goal lead with just 15 seconds remaining in Bouwmeester's minor with a howitzer of a shot. Curtis Glencross battled with the Habs defence in the corner before the winger was able to gain possession of the puck. He sent a quick pass back to Babchuk, who had snuck into the zone unattended, and the blueliner let a shot go with authority.
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Right from the time the puck dropped, Bourque was on fire. The winger was all over the Canadiens in all three zones for the entire contest. He made intelligent plays, was in hard on the forecheck and his transistion game was the best it has been all season.
The Lac La Biche native needed just two goals to reach 100 in his career and he managed to do that by the 35:00 mark. His first came in the form of a power play marker just 8:00 into the game. His second of the night blew past Price at 14:46 of the middle frame, an even strength tally. Sunday marked Bourque's first two-goal outing since Oct. 24, 2010.
Overall, Bourque had 11 shots on net, two points and +1 rating in 15:23 of ice time. |
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| 19 |
Shots on goal for the Flames after the first period. By comparison, the Habs had eight. |
| 100 |
Career goals for Bourque. He has 20 on the season. |
| 41,022 |
Attendance at McMahon Stadium. |
| 4 |
Blocked shots by Robyn Regehr, a team high. |
| 70 |
Points on the season for the Flames. They now sit in 6th in the Western Conference. |
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2nd Star
Rene Bourque |
| G |
A |
P |
+/- |
Shots |
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| 1 |
0 |
1 |
+1 |
3 |
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CANADIENS
Carey Price |
| SA |
SV |
GA |
TOI |
SV% |
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| 37 |
33 |
4 |
60:00 |
.891 |
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