The Calgary Flames carried there hot play as of late into action Tuesday night in Calgary with an impressive 5-1 victory over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The top line of Olli Jokinen, Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla continue to find success as a trio but they were not alone on this night as the supporting cast of the Flames played a large role in capturing a much needed two points.

PHOTO CREDIT - CalgaryFlames.com

Calgary - February 15, 2012 - The Calgary Flames carried there hot play as of late into action Tuesday night in Calgary with an impressive 5-1 victory over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The top line of Olli Jokinen, Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla continue to find success as a trio but they were not alone on this night as the supporting cast of the Flames played a large role in capturing a much needed two points.

A very exciting opening twenty minutes of hockey kick started the festivities on this night as both teams embraced a back and forth style of play that catered to the audience. It was Calgary who established an early dominance in the game at just the four minute mark of the first when Alex Tanguay would score his seventh goal of the season. Just minutes later the top line would strike again when Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay perfectly executed a two on one rush that resulted in Jokinen’s 18th tally of the year. Toronto would begin to fight back as they began to straighten out there defensive zone coverage which directly led to a more fluent transition game. A strong shift by Tyler Bozak would see him win an offensive zone faceoff that led to his 13th goal of the season after converting on a failed Miikka Kiprusoff rebound attempt. After a highly entertaining first period of play that saw the Toronto Maple Leafs out shoot the Calgary Flames 13-10, it would be the Flames who would take the lead into the dressing room up 2-1.

Toronto’s speed was on full display in the second period as they attempted to even the game up at two’s. Unfortunately for them the Flames played a solid yet unspectacular style of defense that would prevent the Leafs from generating a number of high scoring opportunites. Due to a solid defensive structure the Flames would be allowed the opportunity to catch the Toronto defense off guard should their forwards turn the puck over in the offensive zone. That is exactly what would happen at the midway mark of the second frame when Corey Sarich would lift a high breakout pass into the neutral zone in which youngster Paul Byron skated into for a breakaway. Before being able to get a shot off on goal Paul Byron would be hooked from behind by former Flame Dion Phaneuf which led to the Flames first penalty shot of the season. Just days after being recalled from the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL, the rookie would make no mistake scoring his third goal of the year on a beautiful deke that opened up the blocker side on Jonas Gustavsson.

After two periods of play Calgary found themselves with a comfortable two goal lead heading into the third and final stanza. Although the Leafs were not generating a ton of high quality chances they were directing a ton of pucks towards Miikka Kiprusoff. By the time the game would draw to a conclusion Kiprusoff would register an impressive 41 saves on the 42 shots thrown his way. Late game insurance markers by Blake Comeau (4) and Jarome Iginla (22) would seal the deal for Flames on this night as they have now managed to earn points in six straight games to start February (4-0-2 Record). With the win Calgary maintains pace with the 8th placed Phoenix Coyotes but draw just three points back of the 6th placed Chicago Blackhawks.

The Calgary Flames will now embark on an extremely important mini two game road trip that will see them face off against the 10th placed Dallas Stars, and 7th placed Los Angeles Kings.

1. Miikka Kiprusoff (41 Saves, 0.976 SV%)
2. Alex Tanguay (1 Goal, 2 Assists, +2 Rating)
3. Paul Byron (1 Goal, +1 Rating,)