• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Conroy, Kiprusoff sharp as Flames top Blue Jackets

Mar 5, 2008 - 6:08 AM CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- Captain Jarome Iginla failed to make franchise history, but the Calgary Flames still sent their fans home happy.

Craig Conroy scored the lone goal in the third period and Miikka Kiprusoff made 39 saves for his second shutout of the season, leading the Flames to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Iginla, who needs one tally to pass Theoren Fleury (364) for the franchise lead, was held off the scoresheet for the second time in the last four games.

But Conroy's 10th goal of the season gave Kiprusoff all the support he needed. The veteran center did not feel too sorry for taking the spotlight away from Iginla.

"I don't mind," Conroy said. "He'll have plenty of nights."

Eric Nystrom sent a pass ahead to Conroy on the left wing. The puck bounced off the boards and out into open ice, but Conroy beat a pair of defenders to it and streaked up the left side before putting a backhander past goaltender Pascal Leclaire from the bottom of the faceoff circle at 5:49 of the third.

"I wanted to shoot it higher," Conroy said. "I haven't scored many, so I was happy to see that one go."

"It was my mistake," Leclaire said. "I missed it. One mistake, and that's the game."

Kiprusoff, who has 26 shutouts in his career, was under fire all night. He made 18 saves in the first period, seven in the second and 14 in the third while helping to successfully kill six power-play opportunities by the Blue Jackets.

"I think I'm a little lucky right now," Kiprusoff said.

Kiprusoff was involved in a minor goaltending controversy earlier in the week. Flames coach Mike Keenan pulled the former Vezina Trophy winner from a game last Friday in Anaheim, then benched Kiprusoff on Saturday in Phoenix in favor of backup Curtis Joseph.

"Everybody knows Miikka is the starting guy," Conroy said. "We never thought there was a controversy."

The win moved Calgary (35-23-9) into a tie for first place in the Northwest Division with the Minnesota Wild (37-25-5), who lost to the Chicago Blackhawks earlier Tuesday.

Columbus left wing Jason Chimera missed on an opportunity to open the scoring with just under five minutes to play in the second period. Fresh out of the penalty box, Chimera beat Kiprusoff but hit the left goalpost with a hard wrist shot.

Both teams were unable to take advantage of several power-play chances, with Calgary going 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

"I thought we outplayed them," Blue Jackets All-Star Rick Nash said. "It came down to special teams, and tonight, it didn't happen."

Leclaire finished with 18 saves for the Blue Jackets, who fell to 1-2-1 in their last four games.