Flames 4 - 1 Wild
Final
  for this game

Flames hold back playoff-hopeful Wild

Apr 22, 2013 - 6:53 AM St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Mike Cammalleri and Mark Cundari posted a goal and assist each, as Calgary downed playoff-hopeful Minnesota, 4-1, at Xcel Energy Center.

Mikael Backlund and Jiri Hudler also lit the lamp for the Flames, who have taken three in a row and five of six despite being eliminated from the playoff chase.

"Whoever we put in the lineup, they play with pride," Flames head coach Bob Hartley said.

Joey MacDonald stopped 34-of-35 shots for the win.

Zach Parise provided the sole offense for the Wild, who are tied for seventh in the Western Conference with Columbus, which won at San Jose later on Sunday. Both teams have 51 points but Minnesota has one game in hand.

"We certainly don't seem to like doing things the easy way," Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said.

Niklas Backstrom made just 20 saves in the setback.

Backlund's poke at a loose puck in the crease eluded Backstrom at 8:50 of the second period to put the Flames ahead for good, and MacDonald came up with 11 saves in the middle 20 minutes to preserve the slim margin.

A Cammalleri laser sailed under the crossbar for a 3-1 Calgary advantage with 7:20 remaining, and Hudler hit the empty net on a power play with 32 seconds to go.

Cundari's tally on a power play -- his first career score -- with 6:23 remaining in the first period gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, but Parise slid a puck inside the left post and beyond MacDonald's outstretched pad for a 1-1 tie just over five minutes later.

Game Notes

Despite the setback, Minnesota took three of five from Calgary in the season series ... Prior to the game, the Flames recalled Akim Aliu, Carter Bancks, Paul Byron, Cundari, Leland Irving, Blair Jones and Ben Street from Abbotsford (AHL) ... On Saturday, MacDonald was signed to a one-year deal worth $925,000 for next season.






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