NHL : Flames Keep Red Wings in Check, 3-0

DETROIT â€”  Calgary Coach Dave King said 30 seconds made the difference in the Flames’ 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.

“I think the first shift of the second period was the key to this game,� King said. “It was 1-0, they got three good chances, and Mike (Vernon) made the saves. After that, we settled down.�

Bob Probert had the two best chances, but Vernon made a pad save on the first, then caught the rebound as it went past his shoulder.

Vernon made 33 saves to record the fifth shutout of his career and second against Detroit. Vernon’s last shutout was also against Detroit, Jan. 5, 1991, in Calgary. Detroit had not been shut out since Feb. 16, 1991, a span of 133 games.

“I can’t believe that team would ever get shut out,� Vernon said.

Detroit’s “Hot Line� of Sergei Fedorov, Steve Yzerman and Paul Ysebaert had not been held scoreless since teaming up Nov. 20. The Flames are 4-1-2 in their last seven games, all with Vernon in goal.

Calgary opened the scoring on a two-on-one break with the unlikely duo of Ronnie Stern and Craig Berube. The two enforcers had combined for only six points in 49 games, but Stern slid the puck through defenseman Mark Howe’s legs, and Berube tapped it under Vincent Riendeau for his second goal of the season at 14:54 of the opening period.

At the beginning of the third period, Gary Roberts scored on a power play, beating Riendeau from the edge of the crease. And with 37 seconds to play, Stern picked up a loose puck and scored into the empty net for his second goal.