Flyers downward slide continues with loss to Flames

Calgary, AB -- Did you hear the one about the kid from Jersey who showed up to play against the team for which he rooted as a kid? Did anyone stay up late enough to watch?

If not, let it be known that Calder Trophy candidate Johnny Gaudreau's goal and two assists paced Calgary in a 4-1 decision over Philadelphia at the Saddledome.

Sean Monahan and T.J. Brodie also scored while Jiri Hudler and Kris Russell tacked on two assists apiece for the Flames, who vaulted over idle Los Angeles for third place in the Pacific Division and into more favorable playoff positioning.

Karri Ramo backed up his offense with a 26-save effort.

Claude Giroux provided the lone tally for the Flyers, who dropped their eighth straight contest away from home (0-5-3) with their first loss in Calgary in 14 years.

Steve Mason started and absorbed the loss after yielding two goals on 16 shots. Ray Emery finished up by allowing the other two scores on 10 shots.

Seconds before a Ryan White cross-checking minor was set to expire, Monahan's one-timer off the rush from a pass by Gaudreau provided a 3-1 advantage for Calgary at 3:09 of the third period.

Gaudreau capped his night by adding a goal during a two-man advantage thanks to a Hudler dish with 7:02 elapsed.

Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman finally snapped a scoreless deadlock with 3:45 to play in the second period, beating Mason through the pads on a rush from the right wing.

Giroux and Jakub Voracek failed to hook up on a 2-on-0 down low with just under three minutes left in the period, and Calgary took advantage a short time later. Brodie's right-point floater deflected off Philly blueliner Nick Schultz en route and beat Mason with 2:03 to go.

Emery was summoned from the bench, and Voracek hit Giroux for a goal with 8.8 seconds left before intermission. For the Flyers captain, it marked his first goal since Feb. 26, a span of 11 games.

Notes: Gaudreau posted his fourth three-point performance of his rookie season ... Calgary failed to surrender the game's first goal for the fourth time in its last 17 games ... Mason fell to 1-12-6 on the road this season, receiving two or fewer goals in support on 17 occasions ... Flyers forward Matt Read rejoined the team after being present for the birth of his daughter ... Michael Del Zotto returned to the Philadelphia lineup after suffering through a lower-body injury ... Prior to the contest, the Flames agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with former Western Michigan defenseman Kenney Morrison.