THE SKINNY: Former Calgary Hitmen star Andrew Ladd notched a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks halted their two-game losing skid, while ending Calgary’s five-game winning streak at the same time. The setback also ended Calgary’s streak of gaining at least one point in 10 straight games.
THE POINT GETTERS: Martin Havlat, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith also had two-point outings for the Hawks, while Todd Bertuzzi scored once and set up another for the Flames.
THE QUOTE: “A big part of our game is our intensity and being able to jump all over those chances,” Ladd told Rogers Sportsnet in regards to Chicago’s three-goal outburst in the second period.
THE ‘BULIN WALL: Chicago netminder Nikolai Khabibulin improved his lifetime record against the Flames to 21-5-2 by making 34 stops, including a blocker save to thwart a first-period breakaway attempt by Jarome Iginla.
THE HOOK: After giving up four goals on 28 shots through two periods, Calgary netminder Miikka Kiprusoff gave way to back-up tender Curtis McElhinney, who made seven saves in a relief appearance.
THE POINT SHOT: Dion Phaneuf recorded his first point in 10 games when Bertuzzi tipped his point shot past Khabibulin early in the second stanza.
THE NEXT GAME: The Flames now return home to the ‘Dome for a Tuesday night tilt against the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks (8 p.m., Sportsnet, Fan 960).
