Sometimes there is nothing like a little pressure to make one’s efforts more focused.
For the Calgary Flames that came to head this week and they ended up with a solid effort in a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks Friday night.
The win clinched a playoff berth for the Flames and pushed them one point behind the 
Sharks for third in the Pacific Division.
“This doesn’t come around that often,” Flames forward Alex Chiasson said. “For me I’ve been fortunate to be in the playoffs, but I think this is a special group here. We’ve got a chance to do something special, and the turnaround this year as a team has been fantastic. It was a reward for us tonight, for sure.”
Brian Elliott made 36 saves to get the win.
“It’s huge. Ever since I came here, that was the goal. I was fortunate enough [with the St. Louis Blues] to be there five years in a row. I know how fun, how meaningful, and how much it brings to the city to be in the playoffs. This is a big accomplishment. We’ve got to take it on a little bit and enjoy it, but we’ve still got some work to do,” Elliott said of the win and playoff berth.
Chiasson, Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Matt Stajan and Sam Bennett were the Flames goal scorers.
“I’m loving it right now. I’m having a lot of fun,” Bennett said. “This is why you work hard in training camp. This is why you do everything in the summer. It’s for this moment and for these playoffs, so I’m excited right now.”
Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Melker Karlsson struck for the Sharks.
WATCH: All Sharks vs. Flames highlights
Martin Jones made 18 saves in taking the loss. He did not return to the game after the middle frame and was replaced by Aaron Dell who made 12 saves.
“You’ve just got to work through it,” San Jose defenseman Brent Burns said. “We’re working now and it’s not working. You’ve got to just push through. We know we’re a great team. We’ve got to get back there. Who knows? We’ve got to see a witch doctor or something, I think. We’ll see.”
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