Joe Nieuwendyk has been one of the best players all tournament and has led the Flames since the start of the tournament. via canada.com
The 19th-seeded ’88-’89 Calgary Flames are now on the board here in the inaugural Ultimate NHL Final. They got on the board first thanks to a goal from Doug Gilmour (12) and then potted another just about two and a half minutes later from Hakan Loob (23) to give themselves and 2-0 lead in the first period. The period ended with the Flames up 2-0 lead, but the top-seeded ’76-’77 Montreal Canadiens outshot the Flames 19-10. Early in the second period, Canadiens defenseman Pierre Bouchard was called for high-sticking, but almost a minute and a half later Flames winger Gary Roberts was called for a cross-check, so Calgary’s PP was short-lived.
Montreal had a short PP after Bouchard’s high-sticking minor ended and Steve Shutt potted his 15th goal of the tournament to put the Canadiens on the board. The second period was coming to a close, but very late in the frame, Calgary’s Joe Nieuwendyk scored his 22nd goal of the tournament to give Calgary a 3-1 lead. The Flames began to shut down their defensive zone as the third period came around. They allowed Montreal only five shots on goal in the final period. Calgary even added a PP goal from Joe Mullen almost halfway through the period to give themselves a 4-1 lead, which would be the final.
GAME 4:
| 1st Period | 2nd Period | 3rd Period | Overtime | Total | |
| #1 ‘76-’77 Canadiens | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 |
| #19 ‘88-’89 Flames | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 |
GAME SUMMARY: CGY – 4 MTL – 1 (3-1 MTL)
1st Period:
- 5:13 – CGY Goal: D. Gilmour (12) assisted by G. Roberts (21), J. Nieuwendyk (16)
- 7:41 – CGY Goal: H. Loob (23) assisted by A. MacInnis (28), R. Ramage (6)
2nd Period:
- 4:34 – MTL PP-Goal: S. Shutt (15) assisted by G. Lafleur (23), J. Lemaire (15)
- 18:31 – CGY Goal: J. Nieuwendyk (22) assisted by A. MacInnis (29), G. Roberts (22)
3rd Period:
- 9:46 – CGY PP-Goal: J. Mullen (15) assisted by J. Nieuwendyk (17)
TEAM STATS:
|
#1 ‘76-’77 Canadiens |
#19 ‘88-’89 Flames |
|
|
1 |
Goals |
4 |
|
35 |
SOG |
30 |
|
1/2 |
PP |
2/3 |
|
2/3 |
SH |
1/2 |
|
50 |
PP% |
66 |
|
66 |
PK% |
50 |
|
28:30 |
TOP |
31:30 |
STARS OF THE GAME:
1st Star: Joe Nieuwendyk (CGY) – G, 2 A, +2, 3 S
2nd Star: Mike Vernon (CGY) – 34 saves on 35 shots
3rd Star: Gary Roberts (CGY) – 2 A, +2, 3 S, 2 PIM
So, the 19th-seeded ’88-’89 Calgary Flames finally get on the board in this series, but the top-seeded ’76-’77 Montreal Canadiens are still just one win away from claiming the inaugural Ultimate NHL Championship. They lead the series 3-1 as we head to Game 5 in the old Montreal Forum.
