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Backstrom backstops Wild to solid win over Flames

Jan 20, 2011 - 6:26 AM Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Niklas Backstrom posted 37 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Minnesota Wild handled the Calgary Flames, 6-0.

Martin Havlat had two goals and an assist while John Madden, Chuck Kobasew and Cal Clutterbuck each had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who have won three in a row. Mikko Koivu also lit the lamp for Minnesota, which has outscored the opposition 14-1 during its streak.

"There's no gimmes around the league," said Minnesota head coach Todd Richards. "We've won three, we've defended really well, our goalie's played well. It feels good."

Miikka Kiprusoff allowed all six goals on 24 shots for the Flames, who have dropped their past two and six of eight.

"It was one of those games where we never had our 'A' game here," said Calgary head coach Brent Sutter. "We will be better on Friday and we obviously know that, we can't play that way."

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead just 3:25 into the game as Kyle Brodziak chipped the puck over to the slot from the right circle as he was falling and Havlat fired a wrister into the net.

Koivu scored on the power play 2 1/2 minutes later to give the Wild a 2-0 lead.

Just 1:19 into the second, Calgary's Curtis Glencross was given a five-minute major when he sent Clayton Stoner head-first into the boards behind the Minnesota net.

However, the Flames' penalty kill was able to prevent any damage.

The Wild, though, made it a 3-0 game with 1:37 left in the second as Andrew Brunette sent a little dish from behind the net to the front where Madden one- timed in home.

Clutterbuck made it a 4-0 contest 2:48 into the third when his simple wrister from the outside left circle went over the blocker of Kiprusoff.

Kobasew scored with 7:56 to play while Havlat notched his second goal of the game with 2:52 to play to turn the game into a rout.

Game Notes

Minnesota continues its four-game road trip in San Jose on Saturday...Calgary hosts Dallas on Friday...This was the final meeting of the regular season between the clubs. Minnesota posted a 4-1-1 mark in the series...Backstrom, who played for the first time since New Year's Eve, has 21 shutouts in his career...Brodziak had three assists in the game.