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Flames aim for rare victory over Blackhawks

Feb 7, 2011 - 4:18 PM (Sports Network) - Hoping to jump back into the playoff picture, the Calgary Flames shoot for a rare victory over the Chicago Blackhawks as the two clubs do battle tonight at the Saddledome.

The Flames come into this contest tied for ninth in the Western Conference, one point back of a playoff spot and one ahead of the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks. Calgary used a season-best six-game winning streak to dart up the standings, a run that ended with Saturday's 4-3 shootout setback to eighth-place Los Angeles.

Alex Tanguay scored twice in regulation and Robyn Regehr also had a goal as the Flames rallied three times to tie the game. Brendan Morrison had three assists to give him four goals and six helpers over a seven-game point streak, while Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 30 shots through overtime and made another four in the seven-round shootout.

"It was a hard-fought point and unfortunately LA got two," Flames head coach Brent Sutter said.

Calgary was aiming to win seven in a row for the first time since 2005 and also had a three-game home winning streak end in the opener of a four-contest residency.

The Flames, who played without Niklas Hagman for a second straight game due to a lower-body injury, are still 8-1-4 in their last 13 games, but may have trouble picking up a point for an eighth consecutive game given their recent history with the Blackhawks.

While Calgary did skate to a convincing 7-2 triumph the last time these teams met at the Saddledome on Nov. 19, getting a hat trick from Jarome Iginla and 31 saves by Kiprusoff, it marked the club's only victory over Chicago in the last 10 meetings and halted a seven-game series home losing streak.

The Blackhawks will look to jump over the Flames in the Western Conference standings as they continue a six-game road trip. They have split the first two contests of the swing and lost for the third time in four games overall with Friday's 4-3 setback in Vancouver.

Dave Bolland, who had a goal waived off in the first period, gave Chicago a one-goal lead in the third frame, but the Canucks scored the game's final two goals. Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist in the setback, while Nick Boynton added his first tally in 69 games.

"We weren't able to put it away," said Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith. "We have to take the positives out of this. We battled and had our chances to score goals. But we have to put teams away when we have the chance."

Marty Turco made 28 saves in the loss, the 'Hawks' sixth in their last nine road games overall.