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Flames end Canucks’ winning streak at 6, Chad Johnson gets back on track

Calgary Flames v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 15: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks is stopped by goaltender Chad Johnson #31 of the Calgary Flames during the second period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on October 15, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Ben Nelms/Getty Images)

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It doesn’t get much sweeter than this for Chad Johnson and the Calgary Flames. At least in early January.

The Vancouver Canucks had been on a six-game winning streak while Johnson lost his last four starts. Both of those trends ended on Saturday as Calgary beat its rivals 3-1.

Heck, they even had moments where one Flame hit another Canuck hard enough to turn his helmet into shrapnel. These are the types of wins that Canucks-hating Flames fans probably dream of.

Johnson only allowed a Bo Horvat goal, a sharp turn from his work during that four-game skid when he allowed 15 goals. Brian Elliott then wrestled away the top job with a four-game winning streak that just concluded ... and now the door’s open, at least a bit.

Really, the Flames have to be happy for the debate to have a far more positive tone. It sure beats the early season feeling of “How many goalies do we need to bring in until someone starts to actually stop pucks?”

With this win, the Flames have 46 points in 42 games played while the Canucks have 42 in 43. So, even in the bigger picture race of positioning, this outcome is pretty sweet for Calgary.