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Flames win, but knocked out of playoff race

Apr 7, 2011 - 5:48 AM Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Jarome Iginla notched the 12th hat trick of his career and added an assist to help Calgary to a 6-1 win over Edmonton.

However, the win was bittersweet for Calgary as the team was officially eliminated from postseason contention with Anaheim's win over San Jose on Wednesday.

"The first part of the season really affected us, that's why game 20 is as important as game 80 or 81," said Calgary head coach Brent Sutter. "From mid- December on, we really dug our heels in and we had a hell of a run here in the last 46 games since December 23rd."

Alex Tanguay had a goal and two assists while Mikael Backlund donated three assists for the Flames, who won three of four coming into the game.

Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 22 shots in the win, which was the 262nd of his career in Calgary, tying him with Mike Vernon for the top spot on the franchise list.

Magnus Paajarvi had the lone goal for the Oilers, who were coming off a home- and-home sweep of the Canucks. Nikolai Khabibulin was tagged for all six goals on 47 shots in the loss.

"There's a system of play that will protect you, there's a way to manage the puck that will protect you, there's a way to play with a certain level of discipline that will protect you, and if you do those things, it's not 6-1," said Edmonton head coach Tom Renney.

After a scoreless first period that featured a failed penalty shot by Tanguay, the Flames dominated the middle stanza to take control.

The first goal came 3:44 in on a wraparound from Rene Bourque from the right side of the net for a power-play goal.

Iginla scored on a one-timer from the left circle at the 13:18 mark of the second and added his second goal of the game three minutes later for a power- play goal and a 3-0 lead.

Tanguay scored 59 seconds into the third, but Paajarvi got Edmonton on the board with his 15th goal of the season at the 3:47 mark.

Curtis Glencross got the goal back less than three minutes later with his 24th goal of the season and Iginla capped the hat trick 23 seconds later when he snapped home a rebound in front for a 6-1 advantage.

Game Notes

Iginla has 42 goals on the season. He reached the 40-goal plateau for the first time since scoring 50 in the 2007-08 campaign...Calgary wraps up its campaign at home on Saturday against Vancouver...Edmonton hosts Minnesota on Friday.