A week after falling 4-1 to the league’s best team, the Calgary Flames responded to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Friday night. Chicago entered the night on a four game win streak that saw them outscore their opponents 21-8. Curtis Glencross led the charge offensively for the Flames.

PHOTO CREDIT - CalgaryFlames.com

Calgary - November 19, 2011 - A week after falling 4-1 to the league’s best team, the Calgary Flames responded to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Friday night. Chicago entered the night on a four game win streak that saw them outscore their opponents 21-8. Curtis Glencross led the charge offensively for the Flames as he notched two goals, and an assist to help the Flames secure their 8th victory of the season.

Lee Stempniak opened the scoring at the 5:41 mark of the first period as he dangled past Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith before wiring a shot top corner over the shoulder of goaltender Corey Crawford. Not to be outdone, Chicago responded a shift later as Jonathan Toews snuck into the offensive zone before setting up Viktor Stalberg for the redirection past Miikka Kiprusoff. After a back and forth period of hockey the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks headed into the first intermission all square.

Calgary started the second stanza with a sense of urgency and seemingly caught the Blackhawks unprepared as they were able to get back to back goals (17 seconds apart) off of the sticks of Rene Bourque and rookie Paul Byron. Chicago came on strong shortly thereafter as Miikka Kiprusoff was relied upon to make some huge saves from point blank range, before having Jarome Iginla take a high sticking penalty at the 4:30 minute mark of the period. On the ensuing powerplay the hawks were able to move the puck around with ease, resulting in Marian Hossa finding open ice in the slot before one timing a beautiful shot over the sprawling body of Kiprusoff. Prior to the period drawing to an end, Jay Bouwmeester spotted Curtis Glencross looming at the side of the oppositions net and managed to deliver a picture perfect slap-pass through the defensive coverage to give the flames a 4-2 Flames lead heading into the third.

Unlike the team of old, the flames continued to push the pace offensively and did not allow the superior talent of the Hawks the opportunity to get any momentum built up. By doing so Calgary was able to put the game away, as Glencross roamed in on a breakaway to score the 5th and final goal of the game early in the third period. Despite being outshot 32-26 Calgary managed to limit the scoring opportunities and for the most part contained the Hawks go to players.

Tonight was a good indication of how this team has to play in order to be successful; we saw a collective commitment among our players tonight that is indicative of winning. Calgary improves their record to 8-9-1 on the year and will look to get a win streak going as they get set to face the league’s worst team to this point in the season in Columbus on Monday.