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Blackhawks rout Flames in playoff rematch

Nov 20, 2009 - 6:58 AM CALGARY, Alberta(AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks overpowered the Calgary Flames in a rematch of their first-round playoff series.

Kris Versteeg scored two power-play goals in Chicago's five-goal second period to help the Blackhawks rout the Flames 7-1 on Thursday night.

"Great game across the board, I'm very happy with all aspects and areas of our game," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "Everyone contributed."

The Blackhawks beat the Flames in six games last season in the playoffs, ending the series with a 4-1 victory in Calgary. On Oct. 12 in Chicago in their first meeting of the season, the Blackhawks overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Flames 6-5 in overtime.

Troy Brouwer and Patrick Kane added power-play goals for the Blackhawks, 4 for 5 with the man advantage. Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Ben Eager also scored to help Chicago open a six-game trip with its fifth straight victory.

"The (power play has) been struggling a little bit this year, but it's nice to get it back on track tonight," Kane said. "Obviously, we have a lot of skill on both units, so it's good to get that going and hopefully we can keep it going."

Cristobal Huet made 27 saves, allowing only Olli Jokinen's power-play goal.

Chicago converted all three of its power-play chances in the second period, each the result of an undisciplined penalty.

On the go-ahead goal, Nigel Dawes was in the penalty box for roughing after he jumped Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson in response to the Swede's heavy open-ice hit on Rene Bourque. Chicago's decisive two-man advantage came as a result of a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty followed by a roughing penalty on Dion Phaneuf.

"We had a lapse in the second and they capitalized on that," Phaneuf said. "That's not acceptable. As a group, we have to be better. We have to play a full 60-minute game."

The Pengrowth Saddledome crowd voiced its displeasure with the home team, soundly booing the Flames off the ice at the end of the second period.

"There wasn't a guy in here, every single one of us, that was nearly good enough especially in an important time of the game in the second period where we just had a meltdown," Flames captain Jarome Iginla said. "We've been doing that against this team for a while and we haven't been good enough lately. That was embarrassing."

NOTES: Quenneville has 496 victories to tie Glen Sather for 14th on the career list. ... Kane celebrated his 21st birthday. ... Duncan Keith had three assists. ... Calgary was 1 for 5 on the power play.