Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Mikael Backlund scored with just 24.8 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Calgary Flames to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.
Backlund's well-placed wrister that landed under the glove of Corey Crawford, as well as a stellar performance between the pipes from Jonas Hiller, enabled the Flames to steal a game in which they were outshot by a 50-18 margin.
Hiller came up with 49 saves in Calgary's second road overtime triumph in as many nights, with Dennis Wideman recording a goal in the win.
"I was happy that it didn't have to go to a shootout," said Hiller. "It's always nice to get it done in overtime."
Chicago forced the extra session on Andrew Shaw's power-play tally with 5:45 left in regulation. Crawford came up with 16 saves in the loss, the Blackhawks' first after a 2-0-0 start to the young season.
"It's good to get a point," said Crawford. "It's just one of those games I think that things just weren't going in for us."
The game appeared headed towards a shootout when Backlund received the puck from T.J. Brodie in the neutral zone and skated into the Blackhawks' end. Using defenseman Brent Seabrook as a screen, the Calgary center fired a shot that Crawford wasn't able to snare to give the Flames the improbable win.
Calgary had a chance to end it during the initial stages of OT, but Crawford stoned Paul Byron on a breakaway just 44 seconds in.
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, had plenty of opportunities over the course of the contest, but Hiller and the Flames were able to kill off six power plays before Chicago finally converted on their seventh try of the night.
With Wideman in the box for hooking, the Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp delivered a rising one-timer that Shaw successfully re-directed while stationed in front of the net with under six minutes to go in the third period. The goal was reviewed to see if Shaw had his stick above the crossbar but was ultimately ruled inconclusive.
Chicago came out strong to begin the game, producing an 18-2 shot advantage while drawing three penalties in the first period. Hiller was up to the challenge, however, turning away every attempt that included a sprawling stop on Daniel Carcillo who fanned with a half-open net during a 2-on-1.
The Flames actually had the best chance of the opening frame, but Byron hit the right post while all alone on Crawford with Calgary shorthanded.
Hiller came through with 16 more saves in the second and entered the third with a 1-0 edge due to Wideman, whose blast from the point following a faceoff win by Joe Colborne caromed off the stick of Blackhawks defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and got through Crawford's pads with 8:05 left in the period.
Game Notes
The Flames had lost 10 straight (0-9-1) at the United Center prior to a 3-2 overtime win last November ... Hiller's 49 saves were two shy of a career high, set at Edmonton while with Anaheim on Dec. 19, 2008 ... Forward Lance Bouma (face) and defenseman Deryk Engelland (lower body) were both scratched due to injuries for Calgary ... The Flames entered the game 28th in the league on the penalty kill, having allowed five goals on 13 opportunities.
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