Predators 6 - 5 Flames
Final
  for this game

Cullen, Predators hold off Flames

Mar 22, 2014 - 6:07 AM Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Cullen scored what proved to be the game-winner with 2:52 to play and added three assists as the Nashville Predators survived for a 6-5 win over the Calgary Flames.

Shea Weber scored twice, Patric Hornqvist had a goal and two assists while Viktor Stalberg and Victor Bartley also lit the lamp for the Predators, who snapped a three-game slide.

Pekka Rinne gave up four goals on 18 shots before being pulled in the second period for Carter Hutton, who stopped 10-of-11 shots the rest of the way for the win.

"You probably wouldn't expect going into tonight there would be 11 goals scored," said Cullen. "Both teams played hard and both teams have a lot of pride. It was an entertaining game.

Mike Cammalleri had two goals and an assist, Kris Russell gave a goal and two assists, while Mikael Backlund had a marker and a helper for the Flames, who had won three of four coming in.

Joni Ortio was also pulled from the start after giving up four goals on 13 shots, with Joey MacDonald stopping 7-of-9 shots in relief.

"Well our team defense...I am not pointing at our goalie or our defense by any means, I'm talking about our team defense," said Calgary head coach Bob Hartley. "We got caught in the first period on two goals exactly the same. I think we can execute better than this. We worked very had to come back a few times in the game, but the way we were committed defensively tonight I don't think we had a chance."

Nashville took a 5-4 lead on the power play as Weber blasted a one-timer from the right circle off a feed from Cullen with 5:32 to play.

The Predators padded their lead when Cullen tipped in a Roman Josi shot.

That goal proved fortunate as Cammalleri was able to throw a shot on net from the right boards that snuck in just 28 seconds later, but the Flames were unable to net the equalizer.

Bartley and Weber scored just 49 seconds apart early in the first period to give the Predators a 2-0 lead, but Russell scored on the power play in the closing minute of the frame to make it a 2-1 game at the first intermission.

Hornqvist scored on a tip at 4:10 to make it a two-goal game, but Cammalleri scored at 6:23 and Jiri Hudler tied the game 51 seconds later with his 15th goal of the season.

Stalberg again gave Nashville the lead at 8:06, while Backlund's 18th of the season at 13:31 tied it at 4-4.

Game Notes

Nashville wraps up its four-game road trip in Chicago on Sunday ... Calgary plays at Edmonton on Saturday ... Nashville took two of the three games against Calgary this season ... Both teams were 1-for-2 on the power play.






Related News