Columbus showing moxie against Canadian teams

November 9, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Several fights broke out in the closing minutes of the Blue Jackets’ 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Rookie goaltender Steve Mason made 22 saves to remain unbeaten in three career starts and the surging Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Saturday night.

The Blue Jackets have won their last three — beating Canadian franchises Edmonton, Montreal and Calgary since Wednesday with Mason in goal — and have collected points in their last six games.

Jason Chimera, Derick Brassard and Manny Malhotra scored for the Blue Jackets.

Jarome Iginla notched his ninth goal to account for the Flames’ only score.

Mason, called up after playing just three professional games on Nov. 4, was solid in what turned into a chippy game with several fights in the closing minutes.

A Calgary giveaway led to the first score. Flames winger Rene Bourque was at the short boards when he inexplicably tried to pass across the ice in his own zone. Chimera easily intercepted it in the crease, and beat goaltender Curtis McElhinney between his leg pads.

Each team had numerous chances in the opening period, failing to score on three power plays apiece. Mason was sharp, stopping Todd Bertuzzi on a point-blank, one-on-one shot on one power play. At the other end, McElhinney smothered Brassard’s quick shot off a rebound.

Iginla tied it just 1:05 into the second, netting a hard wrist shot from the slot on a power play.

Brassard, the NHL rookie of the month for October, gave the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead through two periods. Defenseman Mike Commodore tossed a high pass that Brassard controlled in the neutral zone before splitting two defenders. All alone, he deked McElhinney before sliding the puck past him for his sixth goal.

Midway through the third, Malhotra stepped in to block a shot by Cory Sarich, the puck then bouncing past Sarich. Malhotra skated by him and carried it up the left wing, faking a slap shot before flicking the puck under McElhinney’s glove. It was Malhotra’s second goal of the year.