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Flames catch fire late, beat Isles – Metro US

Flames catch fire late, beat Isles

THE SKINNY: Although the Islanders gave them a scare in the second period, the Flames (25-12-4) rallied to score three straight goals to down the league’s worst squad for their second straight victory and seventh in eight contests.

THE FIRSTS: Much to the delight of the sellout crowd, Calgary blueliner Adam Pardy slapped a pass from Jarome Iginla past Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald in the third period for his first goal in his rookie campaign. Earlier in the contest, New York forward Trevor Smith notched his first NHL goal, as well.

THE QUOTE: “It was a nice pass there from Iggy and an empty net,” Pardy said. “Getting that first goal was something that was in the back of the mind. It’s good to see it go in, and now that’s over.”

THE PROUD PAPA: With his dad Steve Tambellini, the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, watching from above in the press box, Islanders forward Jeff Tambellini wristed a shot to the top corner over Miikka Kiprusoff’s glove hand to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period.

THE GAME WINNER: Just 55 seconds after Tambellini’s goal, Daymond Langkow converted a feed from Rene Bourque to give him goals in four straight games and to put the Flames ahead to stay. Langkow is on fire with six goals and six assists during his seven-game scoring streak.

THE DEBUT: After helping Sweden win a silver medal at the world junior hockey championships in Ottawa, Calgary first-round draft pick Mikael Backlund (24th overall in 2007) made his NHL debut with the Flames against the Isles.

THE NEXT GAME: The Flames have a bit of a break before facing off against the St. Louis Blues at the ’Dome on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet, Fan 960).