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Huselius scores twice as Flames top Predators

Oct 14, 2007 - 5:07 AM By Jim Diamond PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Kristian Huselius scored two goals and Daymond Langkow had a tally and two assists to carry the Calgary Flames to a 7-4 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

Jarome Iginla also had a goal and an assist for Calgary, which failed to receive a tally from its 30-year-old captain in the first three games. Iginla scored his first in Friday's win at Dallas.

With the Flames on the power play, Langkow redirected a shot by defenseman Adrian Aucoin between the pads of goaltender Chris Mason 12:25 in the first period for a 1-0 lead.

Nashville's Alexander Radulov answered with a power-play goal of his own at 18:57 of the first.

Defenseman Dan Hamhuis fired a slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that was stopped by netminder Miikka Kiprusoff. The rebound came to the low slot, and Radulov was there to tap in the puck for his first goal of the season.

But Craig Conroy converted the rebound of a shot by Iginla to put the Flames in front, 2-1, at 3:26 of the second period.

Huselius extended Calgary's lead to 3-1 when he took advantage of a turnover by defenseman Marek Zidlicky inside Nashville's blue line and beat Mason to the stick side with a wrist shot.

"Our turnovers led to their scoring chances," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We weren't strong in a lot of ways with our game. Our goaltending has to be better, our defense has to be a lot better and our forwards have to be better."

Radek Bonk's third goal of the season at 9:48 pulled the Predators within 3-2, as he beat Kiprusoff high to the glove side with a slapper off a feed from Jordin Tootoo.

Matthew Lombardi scored a shorthanded goal less than four minutes later to give the Flames a two-goal advantage, but Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont tallied 2:37 apart late in the period to forge a 4-4 tie.

"We went into the third period and we were able to score three," Kiprusoff said. "That is pretty strong."

However, enforcer Eric Godard's third career goal at 4:02 of the third put Calgary ahead for good.

Iginla scored 7 1/2 minutes into the period and Huselius did the same with 3:44 remaining to cap his two-goal performance and complete the scoring.

"It was a wild game," Iginla said. "They are a fast team. They can get the puck up the ice so quickly, it seems every time we play them, they get so many 2-on-1s."

Iginla's goal spelled an early exit for Mason, who was lifted in favor of Dan Ellis for the second time this week. Mason allowed six goals on just 23 shots.

"I'm definitely feeling pretty frustrated," Mason said. "This isn't me, and I hate when you are out there and a little doubt creeps in your mind. It's a terrible feeling, and I know I can be better."

Aucoin also registered two assists for the Flames, who have won two straight contests after opening the campaign with three losses - including one in overtime.

"It is just paying attention to the details, learning how to protect the lead, in particular," Calgary coach Mike Keenan said. "Doing things properly will make us better."