Calgary, May 10: The Calgary Flames defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in overtime. Steve Montador grabbed his first career playoff goal at 18:43 of overtime to give the Calgary Flames a 4-3 win over the host San Jose Sharks in the opening game of their Western Conference finals Sunday. Game Two in the best-of-seven series is again in San Jose Tuesday. Montador took a pass from Jarome Iginla and skated alone into the slot, beating Evgeni Nabokov cleanly to hand the Flames their fourth victory in five overtime contests this post-season. Miikka Kiprusoff was brilliant in goal for the Flames, making 49 saves as San Jose outshot Calgary 52-37, including 12-5 in overtime. The total of 52 shots was a playoff high for the Sharks. The Flames started quickly, scoring twice in the first period. Krzysztof Oliwa opened Calgary's account at 9:26 and, with 31 seconds left in the period, Craig Conroy made it 2-0.


The Sharks took over in the second session, hitting back with goals from Mike Ricci and Todd Harvey.


Conroy netted his second goal 9:25 into the third period as the Flames went up 3-2. But Alex Korolyuk tied the game for the Sharks at 16:39, setting the stage for overtime.

Shean Donovan had two assists for Calgary, including one on the game-winner. Nabokov made 33 saves in goal for the Sharks.


Bureau Report