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Kiprusoff ties team shutout record as Flames blank Oilers

Jan 21, 2007 - 6:50 AM EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) -- Miikka Kiprusoff had the extra satisfaction of tying a franchise record against the Calgary Flames' chief rival.

Kiprusoff recorded his team record-tying 20th shutout as the Flames cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Matthew Lombardi and defenseman Dion Phaneuf each registered a goal and an assist and blue-liner Roman Hamrlik set up two tallies for the Flames, who beat the Oilers for the third time in as many weeks.

An All-Star along with Phaneuf, Kiprusoff made 10 saves in the first period and 11 in each of the final two sessions to tie Dan Bouchard for the franchise record (20). It was his sixth shutout of the season and 23rd career.

"The shutouts are good, but as long as the team wins, that's the most important," Kiprusoff said.

"Miikka played great," Flames coach Jim Playfair said. "He was what he is most every night. We don't get too many surprises from Miikka. Miikka's just Miikka. He's an All-Star goalie in this league."

Lombardi gave Kiprusoff all the scoring he needed with a power-play tally with just under five minutes to play in the first period.

Rookie Dustin Boyd and Alex Tanguay added second-period tallies before Phaneuf capped the scoring at 3:39 of the final session.

With the win, the Flames moved into a tie for first place with Vancouver atop the Pacific Division standings. Edmonton is last but just six points back.

"It was awesome that we could come into this rink and win and end up six points up going into the (All-Star) break," Playfair said.

"We've missed a lot of opportunities to get ourselves back in the divisional race and we all know those opportunities don't grow on trees, and we've got to figure out a way to start taking advantage of some of those opportunities because the season is whittling away," Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said.

Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson was pulled after surrendering Phaneuf's goal - just the 16th shot he faced.

"I thought we played a good game, but it just didn't turn out for us," Roloson said.