Hossa's goal lifts Blackhawks past Flames

[November 19, 2016]  CALGARY, Alberta -- Marian Hossa pushed his 80th game-winning goal across the line on Friday night and might have also pushed the goalie illegally in the process.

The right winger's goal with just 2:23 left in the third period lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

Hossa crashed the crease and tapped the puck across the line out of mid-air after Artemi Panarin directed a shot at the Calgary goal that bounced off Flames goalie Chad Johnson.

Hossa might have bumped Johnson, but the Flames could not ask for a review of the play because they had already used their allotted timeout.

"It went up behind him in the air and I saw the defender try to knock the puck into the corner with a high stick and just tried to interfere with his stick and the puck just bounced on the ice and I slid it underneath (Johnson)," said Hossa, who has 10 goals this season and 509 for his career.

Ryan Hartman and Brent Seabrook also scored for Chicago (12-4-2).

Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan each had a goal and an assist for Calgary (7-11-1). Linemate Troy Brouwer contributed two assists.

Hossa has 80 game-winning goals in 1,253 games in 16 seasons.

"It was very timely. He's scored some goals from right around that net this year to get us a point or two and tonight is another illustration of how important he is to us," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.

The Flames would have challenged if they could.

"We knew it was a high stick and whose stick hit it (Flames' TJ Brodie), but we would have challenged the goalie interference," coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed.

Crucial to the win for the Blackhawks was scoring on their lone power play opportunity and stopping Calgary all five of their extra-man chances.

"A lot of nights special teams can win you games and tonight is probably a good example," Quenneville said.

Corey Crawford made 28 saves for Chicago and Johnson had 24 stops.

Johnson was brought in to backup No. 1 Brian Elliott but has been carrying the load lately and was looking for his third-straight win. Instead, he was left to explain the goal that beat him.

"It was a tough one for me," he said. "You try to get a piece of it and get as much as you can, but it went right up and behind me.

"I don't know who put it in, but after I made the save I didn't know where it was. You don't want to let in a goal with three minutes left."

The Blackhawks continue their 12-day, 5,604 air-mile and seven-game sojourn Saturday in Vancouver. They began the trip with a 4-0 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday, their only regulation setback in their past 13 games.

Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) celebrates his game winning goal in the third period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Blackhawks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

"The new guys and the younger guys are more understanding of what the coaching staff wants," Hossa said.

"Everybody is now on the same page and understanding the system better and playing better."

Hartman opened the scoring at 7:32 of the first period. He took a long pass from Artem Anisimov at center ice as he was coming off the bench, out-raced Calgary defenseman Dennis Wideman to the net and beat Chad Johnson to the glove side.

The Flames' new top line gave Calgary the lead in the second period. Bennett, who moved up to replace injured Johnny Gaudreau on the left wing, jammed in the puck past Corey Crawford to tie the score at 3:33; and Monahan's centering pass went in off Blackhawks defenseman Gustav Forsling at 7:03.

Gaudreau is out at least four weeks because of a broken finger.

Seabrook's blast from the point on the power play at 14:34 tied the score at 2.

NOTES: The Blackhawks kept LW Vinnie Hinostroza out of the lineup though he was cleared to play. He suffered a concussion Tuesday against Winnipeg when he was checked face first into the boards. He took part in Friday's morning skate and is expected to play Saturday in Vancouver. ... Out with injuries for Chicago were D Trevor van Riemsdyk (arm) and LW Tyler Motte (leg). Their lone healthy scratch was D Michal Rozsival. ... Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau met the media for the first time Friday since breaking a finger and having surgery after being slashed by Minnesota D Ryan Suter on Tuesday. "It's part of the game," he said. "I don't know if it's something they need to look at more. I know if guys are starting to miss 4-6 weeks with broken bones, maybe it is something they need to look at a little more." ... Also out with injuries for Calgary were RW Kris Versteeg (groin) and C Lance Bouma (shoulder). Their healthy scratches were D Jyrki Jokipakka and C Hunter Shinkaruk.

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