The Canadian Press
Donna Spencer
CALGARY–Production from the foot soldiers has helped lift the Calgary Flames out of a funk.
Austin Czarnik and Derek Ryan both scored in a 5-2 win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes yesterday afternoon.
The two forwards had combined for a goal and three assists in Saturday’s victory 5-4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which halted Calgary’s four-game losing streak.
“We’ve had some depth scoring come through, which is important,” Flames’ head coach Bill Peters noted.
Mark Giordano and Michael Frolik each had a goal and an assist, with Mikael Backlund adding an empty-net goal in yesterday’s matinee at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Defenceman Rasmus Andersson contributed a pair of assists for the Flames (36-16-7), who continue to duel with the San Jose Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division.
Calgary’s Mike Smith posted 27 saves for the win against his former team. He started a third-straight game for the first time since October and went 2-0-1 in that span.
“I feel more like myself in the net and it’s paying off,” Smith said. “It’s a good time of year to be playing well.”
Conor Garland and Jordan Weal countered for the Coyotes (26-28-5), who are chasing a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Back-up Calvin Pickard stopped 29-of-33 shots in his third start for Arizona since he was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers back in November.
Arizona twice pulled even in the first 35 minutes yesterday, but didn’t rally again after Czarnik’s goal at 16:18 of the second period and Frolik’s at 5:48 of the third.
Calgary improved to 21-1-0 this season when leading after two periods.
“It seems liked any time we got momentum, they got a goal right back,” said Coyotes’ head coach Rick Tocchet.
“We’ve got to make some plays,” he stressed. “We need some guys to step up and score goals.
“It’s only 3-2 at the start of the third,” Tocchet noted. “Still plenty of time to get back in the game.”
A healthy scratch for nine-straight games, Czarnik scored his second goal in as many games drawing in on the third line for injured winger James Neal (upper body).
Czarnik produced yesterday’s game-winner on a broken play, corralling the puck and shooting from his knees.
“Feels great. Being out that long, it’s hard to adjust right away,” he admitted. “Your breath is a little short probably.
“To be able to do that builds confidence and I just want to keep that going if I can.”
Elsewhere in the NHL, Chicago topped Ottawa 8-7, Tampa Bay beat Columbus 5-1, Colorado blanked Vegas 3-0, Boston edged San Jose 6-5 (OT), and Washington nipped L.A. 3-2.
