Eamon McAdam allowed only a late single, while goals by Ryan Tait, James Shearer, Matt Alvaro and Brett Welychka fronted a 4-1 win over the visiting Nottingham Panthers.
In and end to end opening frame, the teams had an exact split of 34 shots, 17 each way, with netminders McAdam and Jason Grande for Panthers each perfect through 20 minutes.
Tait broke the seal on the scoring less than 3 minutes into the middle set and James Shearer’s first in Flames kit in the 35th minute had the home team up by a pair. Shortly thereafter, Panthers had an opportunity to cut their deficit in half with a penalty shot, but McAdam made sure advantage Flames remained in effect to begin the 3rd.
About halfway through that final period, Alvaro converted a 5 on 3 for his side’s command of the game at 3-0. Logan Neilson finally broke the shutout in the 54th minute but a closing seconds empty netter from Welychka guaranteed the outcome.
McAdam turned aside 38 of 39 shots while Grande had 45 saves on 48 that came his way.
“That was a fast game, and we played very well. Perhaps one if our best games all season,” said Paul Dixon.
“Nottingham is having a great season and they may be our playoff partner so certainly beating them in a building they might have to come back to in a few weeks will hopefully be something we can lean on for confidence if are going head to head in the quarter final.”
“Even if that is not the case, we put in a performance we can be proud of, and you want to be playing your best with playoffs around the corner and hopefully we can use the last couple of games as a tailwind for the important schedule ahead.”
