Friday, April 23, 2004
Calgary won, 2-1, in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal series.
DETROIT (AP) -- With fresh legs, the Detroit Red Wings threw everything they had at the weary Calgary Flames in the first period.
They attacked on offense, and swarmed on defense.
Two-plus periods later, they lost.
Marcus Nilson's first career playoff goal at 2 minutes, 39 seconds of overtime lifted Calgary to a 2-1 victory over the Red Wings on Thursday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
The Flames, playing their third straight overtime game after a long flight and just two days off, beat Vancouver in overtime in Game 7 of their first-round series after losing Game 6 in triple-overtime.
"We knew we were going to have to weather the storm early, and that's what we did," Flames coach Darryl Sutter said.
First OT of season
Detroit played its first overtime of the postseason after it got past Nashville in six games, and had four days of rest. The Red Wings have lost seven straight overtime playoff games at home and 10 of 12 overall, dating to 2000.
They prevented Calgary from shooting on Curtis Joseph for nearly 10 minutes and out-shot the Flames 13-2 in the opening period.
"They dominated us in the first period," Iginla said. "Kipper gave us a chance."
Calgary's Robyn Regehr, who like Nilson played in his eighth postseason game, scored his first career playoff goal late in the second period to tie it at 1 after Robert Lang scored earlier in the period.
Jarome Iginla, a finalist for NHL MVP, didn't mind being held to just two shots.
"That's part of what's been so fun this year," he said. "It's been somebody different scoring big goals each night. That's why we're where we're at."
Big factor
Kiprusoff is a big reason the Flames are in the second round for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 1989. And he helped them win their first Game 1 since the finals 15 years ago. Calgary was 0-7 in series openers since.
Kiprusoff's 28 saves lifted the Flames to their fourth straight road victory in the playoffs. Joseph made 16 saves for Detroit, which was 3-0 at home this postseason.
On the winning goal, Martin Gelinas passed the puck from behind the net to Nilson, whose shot from the left circle got past Joseph's glove.
"He made a good shot," he said. "I wish I would've had it."
Kirk Maltby's shot found the net behind Kiprusoff midway through the first period, but the goal was negated because Kris Draper was penalized for goaltender interference.
The Red Wings struggled on the power play again. They were 0-for-6 with an extra attacker after going 2-for-29 against Nashville.
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