Calgary needs OT to beat Niagara Falls...

Chinook hang on to upend Thunder 6-5 in overtime

NIAGARA –  Alex Barkov scored in overtime to give Chinook 6-5 win over Thunder on Wednesday.  It was a hard fought battle that would go either way, Chinook had given up three leads (1-0, 3-1, 5-3) in a hard-fought game.

“That would have been pretty demoralizing, right, if we can’t protect the lead and get any points in this game?” said Calgary Chinook heart and soul leader Mark Giordano, following Wednesday’s 6-5 overtime triumph against the Niagara Thunder.

The Chinook had wasted a two-goal lead in the third period, but they refused to waste this opportunity to collect a couple of points against another team that is on a roll lately.  The Thunder were 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.

Stamkos and Foligno scored within 2:48 in the third period to tie the game at 5-5 and Barkov ended a wild and wacky affair in Niagara Falls with a wrist shot 1:52 minute of the bonus session.

With the victory, the Chinook (45-7-3)’s magic number of clinching a playoff spot has reduced to 3.5.

“Like Mark said, it would have been a tough loss to eat there if we would have lost that game,” said overtime winner Barkov, who racked up one goal and two assists.  “But the guys showed up in overtime, and that’s a big win for us.” 

It was nearly a big letdown.

Howard, who finished with 18 saves, was injured in the third period and replaced by Price.  Without a proper warmup, Price let in 2 goals in 6 shots in the third period.  Fortunately, Price showed up in overtime with 9 saves.

“We stuck with it, and I think that just shows the character that we have in this room,” Price said.

NOTES:

Thunder’ Haley has two 5 minutes’ majors during the game, both times trying to fight Crosby and Pastrnak.

Howard will be out day to day with a lower-body injury.  

Vanek is healthy and will be back on the line with Crosby and Panarin on Friday.

UP NEXT:

The Chinook will finish the eight games road trip against the Wisborg Donuts on Friday.