CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -The Chicago Blackhawks overpowered the Calgary Flames in a rematch of their first-round playoff series.
Kris Versteeg scored two power-play goals in Chicago's five-goal second period to help the Blackhawks rout the Flames 7-1 on Thursday night.
``Great game across the board, I'm very happy with all aspects and areas of our game,'' Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. ``Everyone contributed.''
The Blackhawks beat the Flames in six games last season in the playoffs, ending the series with a 4-1 victory in Calgary. On Oct. 12 in Chicago in their first meeting of the season, the Blackhawks overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Flames 6-5 in overtime.
Troy Brouwer and Patrick Kane added power-play goals for the Blackhawks, 4 for 5 with the man advantage. Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Ben Eager also scored to help Chicago open a six-game trip with its fifth straight victory.
``The (power play has) been struggling a little bit this year, but it's nice to get it back on track tonight,'' Kane said. ``Obviously, we have a lot of skill on both units, so it's good to get that going and hopefully we can keep it going.''
Cristobal Huet made 27 saves, allowing only Olli Jokinen's power-play goal.
Chicago converted all three of its power-play chances in the second period, each the result of an undisciplined penalty.
On the go-ahead goal, Nigel Dawes was in the penalty box for roughing after he jumped Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson in response to the Swede's heavy open-ice hit on Rene Bourque. Chicago's decisive two-man advantage came as a result of a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty followed by a roughing penalty on Dion Phaneuf.
``We had a lapse in the second and they capitalized on that,'' Phaneuf said. ``That's not acceptable. As a group, we have to be better. We have to play a full 60-minute game.''
The Pengrowth Saddledome crowd voiced its displeasure with the home team, soundly booing the Flames off the ice at the end of the second period.
``There wasn't a guy in here, every single one of us, that was nearly good enough especially in an important time of the game in the second period where we just had a meltdown,'' Flames captain Jarome Iginla said. ``We've been doing that against this team for a while and we haven't been good enough lately. That was embarrassing.''
NOTES: Quenneville has 496 victories to tie Glen Sather for 14th on the career list. ... Kane celebrated his 21st birthday. ... Duncan Keith had three assists. ... Calgary was 1 for 5 on the power play.
