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Bourque's hat trick helps Flames torch Senators

Dec 28, 2008 - 6:47 AM CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- Rene Bourque notched his first career hat trick Saturday as the Calgary Flames continued to roll with a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Defenseman Adrian Aucoin, Andre Roy and Todd Bertuzzi also scored and Miikka Kiprusoff made 27 saves for the Flames, who improved to 4-0-3 in their last seven contests.

Daymond Langkow had a pair of assists for Calgary (20-11-4), which overcame a two-goal deficit and extended its Northwest Division lead to three points.

"I'll take what I can get," Bourque said. "Hopefully, they can keep going in for me. A lot of the credit tonight goes to 'Lanks' (Langkow)."

Chris Phillips, Jason Spezza and blue-liner Alexandre Picard each tallied and Alex Auld turned aside 36 shots for the Senators, who have lost seven of their last nine games.

"We got off to the start we wanted," Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson said. "But we had a tough stretch where they scored three goals to turn it around. We take three or four penalties and have no momentum."

Just 43 seconds after Picard's power-play goal tied the contest at 3-3, Aucoin netted the game-winner.

With captain Jarome Iginla drawing the defense's attention in front of the net, Michael Cammalleri faked a slap shot and sent a cross-ice pass to Aucoin, who blasted a one-timer past goaltender Alex Auld at 8:58 of the third period.

"It was a great pass," Aucoin said. "I was more excited that the puck went where I thought it would go."

Bourque, who scored two goals in a 58-second span to erase a 2-0 deficit in the middle session, sent the hats showering down to the ice at Pengrowth Saddledome with his 14th goal of the season.

"It's nice, it's a good feeling," Bourque said. "The puck was going in for me. My linemates made some good plays for me."

"He (Bourque) had a great night," Flames coach Mike Keenan said. "He's accelerating his performance level to a point where he can play anywhere: power play, penalty kill, regular shift. He is playing very confident right now."

The 27-year-old accepted a pass from Langkow in the slot and converted with a quick slap shot, giving the Flames a 5-3 edge with 5:35 to play.

Bertuzzi, who also had an assist, sealed the win with an empty-netter with 76 ticks remaining.