Flames resume road trip vs. Sharks

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Calgary Flames will play the middle contest of a three-game road trip on Wednesday night as they pay a visit to San Jose to battle the Sharks.

The Flames had won four of five, including Saturday's shootout win over visiting New Jersey, before losing a 3-2 decision in Anaheim last night. It marked Calgary's 19th straight loss versus the Ducks as the visiting team.

TJ Brodie and Jiri Hudler scored third-period goals, with Brodie also notching an assist, but the Flames couldn't overcome a slow start. Jonas Hiller, who spent his first seven seasons between the pipes for the Ducks, allowed all three goals on 29 shots in his return to Anaheim.

"We can't just hope we win every game in the last five minutes," said Hiller. "We've got to be ready from the first minute on."

The Flames will try to rebound tonight with Karri Ramo in goal, but he is only 2-3-0 lifetime when facing the Sharks with a 3.38 goals against average and .898 save percentage.

Calgary has won back-to-back meetings with the Sharks, but has lost three straight and eight of its past 11 in San Jose.

The Sharks have opened a six-game homestand with consecutive losses in a shootout, pushing their overall skid to three games in a row.

Antti Niemi made 22 saves in Saturday's 4-3 setback to the Arizona Coyotes, yielding the lone goal of the shootout.

Joe Pavelski, Andrew Desjardins and Tommy Wingels all lit the lamp for the Sharks.

"Too many mistakes," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. "When you get three (goals), you should be able to win the game."

Niemi has excellent career numbers versus the Flames, going 12-2-1 with a 2.18 GAA and .913 save percentage.