Flames 3, Canucks 1
Curtis Glencross broke a scoreless tie early in the third period and Leland Irving turned aside 29 shots for his first NHL victory as the Calgary Flames stunned the host Vancouver Canucks 3-1 Friday.
Irving was sensational in just his second career game, denying a Canucks team that sits second in the Western Conference in goals. The loss halted Vancouver's three-game winning streak, while the Flames extended their winning streak to three in the opener of a seven-game road trip.
Glencross opened the scoring at 2:36 of the final period, one-timing a well-placed centering pass from Jarome Iginla past Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo for his 14th goal of the season.
Mikael Backlund extended the lead at 14:08 with a quick snap shot that surprised Luongo, beating him low between the pads.
Vancouver answered nearly three minutes later, as defenseman Dan Hamhuis fluttered a wrist shot from the point that beat Irving off the right post. The Canucks pressed for the equalizer, but Irving made two big saves in the final minute before Olli Jokinen iced things with an empty netter.
The Flames carried the play through the first two periods, outshooting Vancouver 24-13 but having no luck against Luongo. The veteran netminder made a slick glove save on a Rene Bourque shot just 10 seconds into the game, then had a pair of stops from in close early in the second period to keep the game scoreless.