Johnny Gaudreau – File Photo by Jack Lima
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Calgary Flames took a commanding 3-1 game lead in the series against the Vancouver Canucks when they won game four at the Scotiabank Saddledome before 19,289.
This was a much less physical game, with far fewer penalties than previous games between these two teams.
The action began early in the first period, on the power play, Johnny Gaudreau took a pass from Dennis Wideman just above the crease and wristed it past Eddie Lack in the net, to put the Flames on the board first at 3:23. The Canucks would tie the game at 8:12 on a power play, when Henrik Sedin throws the puck to the back of the net, as it snuck under Jonas Hiller. But Calgary reclaimed the lead only a couple of minutes later, again on a power play, when Dennis Wideman slapped the puck from side of the ice, towards a waiting Jiri Hudler at the top of the circle for the go-ahead goal.
Dennis Wideman – File Photo by Jack Lima
Just before the end of the period, Calgary started in the Canucks zone, and raced down the ice, a couple of excellent passes in their own zone, ending with a Sam Bennett goal from the top of the circle with only 42 seconds remaining in the period. The Flames lead 3-1 going into the first intermission. T.J. Brodie and Joe Colborne were credited on the assists for the only even strength goal of the game.
Jiri Hudler – File Photo by Jack Lima
That would be the end of the scoring, but it was enough to chase Lack out of the net in favor of Ryan Miller for the duration of the game. Miller put the brakes on the Flames scoring stopping all 15 shots on net, but the three goal deficit was too much to overcome. Hiller stopped everything that the Canucks could throw at him, ending with 24 saves for the win.
Both teams will return to Vancouver for game five on Thursday, April 23.
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