CBC-Sports

Like father, like son for Nystroms in playoffs

April 23, 2009 03:02 AM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

Seems like the big-goal ability runs in the Nystrom family genes.

Remember Bob Nystrom, the New York Islanders forward who made a career of scoring when his team needed it most, including the 1980 Stanley Cup overtime winner?

Flames winger Eric Nystrom began his quest to build the same legend as his father with his third-period game winner in Wednesday night's 6-4 victory that evens Calgary's series with the Chicago Blackhawks at two wins apiece heading into Saturday's swing game.

Nystrom banged home a rebound with seven minutes remaining regulation to spark the victory. He sparked Calgary's comeback win in Game 3, too, so obviously scoring big goals is a bit of a habit.

"I think it's a great habit to have," said Nystrom, who finished with a three-point night.

"I just wanted to try to make the difference. You gotta want to do that in the playoffs.

"That's what it comes down to, the guy who wants the puck on his stick. In the first couple of games, I wasn't too happy with the way I played and Mike [Keenan] gave me a little kick in the butt and it's been working since then."

Jokinen finally ends drought

The long wait for Olli Jokinen is finally over.

After going 16 games without a goal, the Flames' big trade deadline acquisition scored twice in Game 4.

Jokinen showed signs of turning his game around and was a factor in Game 3, but finally broke through with a pair of second-period tallies in Game 4. First, he intercepted a poor cleaning attempt. Then, he finished off a nifty passing play.

"It's always good to score, but the bottom line is that we came back strong in the third period and won the game. We worked hard, but we just relaxed for those 10 minutes and they showed they can come back," said Jokinen, who finished plus-4 on the night.

Back home to regroup

The bad news for the Blackhawks is the lead they had in the series after winning the first two games has disappeared.

The good news is they have home-ice advantage with the next game at the United Center - as is the case for two of the next three, if necessary. To top it off, the home team has won all four games.

"We get to go home, have a break here, get some momentum back in our game," Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said. "I like how we competed in this building. Coming up empty is tough, but ... we move on."

Ice Chips

After taking the pre-game skate, Flames winger Rene Bourque was scratched due to injury. The Flames said he was hurt in a late Game 3 altercation — first, he was cross-checked by Adam Burish and then punched during a scrum, but earlier in that game, he appeared to re-aggravate an ankle injury that put him out of the lineup for two months. Andre Roy drew back in.

Calgary lost centre Craig Conroy in the first period after he went down awkwardly when hit by Ben Eager. In the third period, centre Daymond Langkow left the game after being hit in the right hand or wrist with a shot.

Calgary scored on its first two shots in the second period, and three times with four shots to make it a 4-1 game.

Chicago winger Patrick Kane returned after missing Game 3.

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