Flames Beat Canucks, Maintain 8-Point Lead

Joe Nieuwendyk’s penalty shot goal with 4 seconds left in the second period sent the Calgary Flames to a 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Friday night.

Nieuwendyk’s 21st goal of the season put Calgary ahead, 4-3, and Doug Gilmour scored into an empty net with 6 seconds remaining in the third period.

With the score tied and the Flames on a power play, Nieuwendyk was hauled down on a breakaway by defenseman Garth Butcher. On the penalty try, Nieuwendyk faked goalie Steve Weeks to the ice and put in a high backhand shot.

The Flames beat Vancouver for the second time in two nights. Calgary won, 2-0, at home Thursday.

Gary Roberts, Al MacInnis and Jamie Macoun also scored for the Flames, who maintained their 8-point lead over the Kings in the Smythe Division.

Petri Skriko, Brian Bradley and Greg Adams scored power-play goals in the second period for Vancouver, which is 1-6-1 in its last 8 games and in last place in the Smythe.

Skriko, Bradley and Adams scored on the Canucks’ power play to put Vancouver ahead, 3-2, at 15:54 of the period. Skriko and Bradley scored with the Flames playing two men short.

Then, with the Flames on a power play, Nieuwendyk was hauled down on a breakaway by defenseman Garth Butcher. Nieuwendyk faked goalie Steve Weeks to the ice and put a high backhand into the net.