By Pearl Allison Lo

Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS, LARRY MACDOUGAL AP PHOTO

Calgary won this round between the playoff spot contenders, as the Flames are now on top of San Jose in the standings after a 3-1 win Wednesday.

It was Calgary’s third straight win, as they ended the Sharks’ four game point streak. The Flames are now 8-2-0 in their last ten games.

The last time the Sharks scored only one goal was back on January 10.

It was Alex Stalock’s first start since January 19, which also ended in a loss. The last time he had losses in consecutive starts, was back in October.

San Jose went scoreless on the power play, with an opportunity in each period against the NHL’s least penalized team. The first chance came 45 seconds into the game.

Stalock had the best save of the first period with an aggressive one, as he went up to the faceoff circle to stop an attempt.

Calgary scored three goals in the second period, which the Sharks also did in the teams’ last meeting.

The Flames’ first goal came at 9:28. Kris Russell had his first of the season, aided by Paul Byron and Josh Jooris. Russell got to wear the fire helmet for his efforts after the game, which goes to the “hardest-working player.”

About two and a half minutes later, Jiri Hudler scored about halfway into San Jose’s third penalty of the period. Hudler was helped by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. The puck also went off the Sharks’ Scott Hannan.

Mason Raymond made it 3-0 at 18:03, when he was assisted by Joe Colborne and TJ Brodie. Brodie tied a career-high with the point.

2:48 into the third, John Scott mustered the Sharks’ lone goal with a rare one, his second. Hannan made a spin pass as Scott scored past a sliding Jonas Hiller and his defender. Tyler Kennedy also helped.

Hiller stopped 28 shots.

The Flames have won three of four in the series so far, and the teams play for the final time February 9.

Game notes: San Jose was outhit 22-9. Calgary’s Lance Bouma led with seven. Outside the game, the Sharks’ Tye McGinn was placed on injured reserve as Chris Tierney came back from Worcester. San Jose will be back at it 7:30 pm against the Canucks Thursday.