Sterling scores in OT to beat Flames

Published on January 17, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


The longest Flames road trip of the season continued on Saturday in Chicago with a 4-3 overtime loss to the defending Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves. Brett Sterling netted the game-winning goal for Chicago on a power play just one minute into the extra session. Brett Palin, Adam Cracknell and Kyle Greentree scored for the Flames in the overtime loss. Carsen Germyn assisted on Greentree's tally to move into a tie for first on the franchise's All-Time Scoring List with 73 points (21 goals and 52 assists) during his time as a Flame.

The Flames finished a wild first period with a 2-1 lead. Brett Palin put the Flames on the board when he scored on a shot through traffic with just 19 seconds gone in the opening frame. Palin's tally, his third of the season, was assisted by Jamie Lundmark and Kyle Greentree. It took only 35 seconds for the Wolves to respond as Jeff Hamilton was awarded a penalty shot after being pulled down on a semi-breakaway. Hamilton converted on the penalty shot chance and knotted the score at one aside with 54 seconds gone in the game. The Flames recaptured the lead at the 11:19 mark of the opening period when Adam Cracknell scored on a shot from a tough angle along the Chicago goal line. Chicago netminder Robert Gherson allowed the puck to sneak in along the right wing post. Gherson turned and flipped the puck out of the net before referee Andy Thiessen could spot the goal. However, the goal light went on, and Thiessen stopped play. After a brief consultation with the goal judge, Thiessen awarded the goal and the Flames carried their lead through the remainder of the period.

The Wolves captured the lead for the first time on the strength of two early second period power-play goals. Jeff Hamilton netted his second goal of the game on a blast from the left wing circle during a Chicago man advantage at 1:08 of the period. Brian Sipotz added a power-play goal just three and a half minutes later on a shot from the high slot. Sipotz' tally gave the Wolves their first lead at 3-2 and chased Matt Keetley from the Quad City crease after 24 minutes and 27 seconds of action. The Flames righted their ship after the Sipotz goal and skated scoreless with the Wolves for the next 14 minutes. Quad City went on a power play at 18:11 of the middle frame when Chicago's Jordan LaVallee was whistled off for hooking. The Flames converted just 19 seconds into the man advantage when Kyle Greentree netted his 20th goal of the year when he sent a shot off and Wolf and into the Chicago net to tie the game at three. Carsen Germyn earned the secondary assist on the Greentree goal to move into a tie for first on the Flames Career Scoring List with 73 points (21 goals and 52 assists). The game remained knotted as the final 90 seconds of the middle frame ticked away.

The teams skated scoreless through the closing twenty minutes. Late in the third period, Quad City encountered penalty trouble. Kyle Greentree was sent off with two minutes left in regulation. During the Chicago power play, both Anders Eriksson (delay of game) and Brett Palin (tripping) were given minors. The Flames were able to hold the fort late in regulation to earn a point. In the overtime, the Flames continued their excellent penalty killing until the levee finally broke with just one second left on Palin's penalty. Brett Sterling scored on the power play following the rebound of a Jeff Hamilton shot. The tally won the game for Chicago and marked the second time in the last two games vs. the Flames at Allstate Arena that Sterling netted an overtime game-winner.

The Flames continue their longest road trip of 2008-09 on Sunday afternoon with a 4:00 p.m. face-off with the West Division-leading Milwaukee Admirals. The game can be heard on 93.9 FM WYEC and qcflames.com beginning at 3:35 p.m. with The Hayman's Ace Hardware Pre-Game Show. Fans can also watch the game for just $6.00 via ahllive.com.

The Flames return home on Saturday, January 31st to face the Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a poster featuring 2009 AHL All-Star Brett Palin. Tickets are available now at the i wireless Center Box Office, via phone at (563) 326-1111 or on-line at ticketmaster.com. Group rates and ticket packages are available through the Flames Ticket Office at (309) 764-7825. For more information on all Flames event, visit qcflames.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central