Theoren Fleury's goal 8:02 into the second period lifted the Calgary Flames into a 3-3 tie with the Vancouver Canucks in a battle of Western Conference teams on the outside of the playoff picture.
Fleury's 29th goal of the season came just under six minutes after Adrian Aucoin had given Vancouver a 3-2 lead. Fleury was knocked down behind the Canucks' goal by defenseman Steve Staios, but he got up, scrambled to the front of the net and deflected Marty McInnis' shot over goaltender Kirk McLean.
"It was a really great shift by our line, we really controlled the puck down low," Fleury said. "I just saw Marty get control of it and wind up for a shot. I wanted to get in front and luckily it hit my stick and went in."
Cory Stillman and Sandy McCarthy also scored for the Flames, who pulled within two points of idle Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Calgary, which is 1-3-1 in its last five, has four games remaining -- two at home and two on the road.
Alexander Mogilny had a goal and an assist for Vancouver, which is five points behind the Blackhawks with four games left -- two on the road and two at home. The Canucks are 3-1-2 in their last six contests.
"I can't complain, we both played pretty good games," Mogilny said. "There's two desperate teams out there and it was exciting hockey. Hockey is a game of mistakes, the team who makes more mistakes loses. I guess we made an equal amount tonight."
Calgary had five of the six shots in overtime and had the best scoring opporunity with 15 seconds left when Fleury was pulled down on a partial break. Fleury complained vehemently that a penalty should've been called and was given an unsportsmanlike penalty by referee Bill McCreary.
"On that last chance, Trevor (Linden) handed the puck to me and I went in on the breakaway," Fleury said. "He hooked me from behind and there should've been a penalty, no question."
Vancouver blew a golden opportunity to break the 3-3 tie in the second period when it failed to convert a two-man advantage for 1:31.
Stillman's sixth goal at 6:59 of the first period gave Calgary a 1-0 lead, but Markus Naslund tallied his 18th goal 74 seconds later.
McCarthy's third goal, a power-play tally, 1:01 later put the Flames ahead 2-1. Mogilny's 31st goal with 6:09 to go in the opening period lifted Vancouver into a 2-2 tie.
"It was bouncing around and it bounced in front of me," McCarthy said. "I just tried to flick it at the net, it just squeezed between his pads and trickled over the line. I think both teams knew how much this game meant and it was fun to play. A lot of hitting and good action."
McLean made 30 saves and Trevor Kidd stopped 25 shots.
Vancouver right wing Gino Odjick suffered a left wrist injury
early in the third period and did not return.
Jon's 3 stars:
1. Thereon Fleury
2. Markus Naslund
3. Dave Babych
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