SAN JOSE, California, 13 May 2004 — Ville Nieminen and Jarome Iginla tallied 44 seconds in the third period as Calgary took a two games to none lead in their Stanley Cup playoff semifinal series with a 4-1 win over San Jose.
Entering with a 6-2 road record in the National Hockey League postseason — thanks to a 4-3 overtime win in Game One on Sunday — the Flames wasted little time taking the lead in Tuesday’s game.
Marcus Nilson scored a fluke goal 20 seconds into the first period to tie the franchise record for the fastest tally at the start of a playoff game, set May 6, 1986 by Joe Mullen.
“We have been better on the road and I wish that we could stay here,” Nilson said. “It seems like we are more relaxed and we are playing a simple game.”
Said Nieminen, “I think we don’t have much pressure on the road. We just want to kill their start and be a good defensive hockey club.”
Former Shark Shean Donovan gave Calgary a 2-0 edge midway through the first before Alyn McCauley halved San Jose’s deficit 5 1 2 minutes into the second.
The Flames locked up their fourth straight win in the third, when Nieminen and Iginla each beat goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to the stick side with wrist shots.
Iginla’s tally was the first of his career in 15 games against the former Calder Trophy winner.
The line of Nilson, Nieminen and Donovan combined for three goals and three assists.
Miikka Kiprusoff made 17 saves for Calgary, which host Game Three today.
Nabokov stopped just 16 shots for the Sharks, who have lost three straight at home.
