Michael Frolik’s hat trick leads way, Flames down Blues 7-4

CALGARY – If it worked the first time, do it again.

Michael Frolik scored three times, including two nearly identical short-handed goals, as the Calgary Flames won 7-4 Monday night against the red-hot St. Louis Blues.

With the Flames’ three-goal, third-period lead down to one and with the Blues pressing for the equalizer, Frolik sped in alone after a pass from Mark Giordano and fired a quick shot under the crossbar on Anders Nilsson at 16:49 to make it 6-4.

It looked just like his goal that tied it 2-2 late in the first, except it was Mikael Backlund with the breakaway feed and starter Jake Allen in net.

“It’s kind of my move,” said Frolik, who has 14 goals on the season. “If it had been the same goalie I would’ve probably done something different, but it was a different goalie so why not try it again.”

He completed his second career hat trick with an empty netter with 35 seconds remaining, sending hats flying onto the ice at the raucous Scotiabank Saddledome.

“You get breakaways when you get speed. Him and (Backlund), they have great chemistry on (penalty kill),” said Flames coach Bob Hartley. “They pressure well, while being reliable, they’re always ready to jump and they certainly have the green light.”

The last Flames skater to score two short-handed goals in a game was Cory Stillman on Jan. 9, 1998. The team record is three set by Theoren Fleury on Mar. 9, 1991.

Sean Monahan, with a pair, Joe Colborne and Mark Giordano also scored for Calgary (29-35-5). Dougie Hamilton finished with a career-high three assists while Johnny Gaudreau also had three helpers.

Paul Stastny, with two, Scottie Upshall and Kevin Shattenkirk scored for St. Louis (41-21-9), which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

“Too casual with the puck. That’s six breakaways in two games. Got away with it in Dallas. Didn’t get away with it today. Just too many mistakes with the puck,” said Blues coach Ken Hitchcock.

The Blues missed a chance to move ahead of Dallas into top spot in the Central Division. They remain tied in points with Stars, who now hold a game in hand.

“This is on our shoulders. We beat four good teams last week and these two points were just as valuable as any two in those games. We just didn’t bring it with 20 guys tonight and I’ll take blame for that,” said Blues captain David Backes.

Tied 2-2 after the first, Monahan gave Calgary the lead at 5:13 when he wristed a perfect shot over the shoulder of Allen.

After Giordano’s power-play goal at 11:03 made it 4-2 and led to Allen getting pulled, Monahan scored on a breakaway at 13:37.

“There’s no reason for us to quit right now, it’s just about playing hard and playing with pride,” said Hamilton.

After third-period goals from Shattenkirk and Stastny drew the Blues to within one, Jaden Schwartz nearly tied it, putting a shot off the goal post just seconds before Folik put the game away.

With 31 stops, Joni Ortio improved to 3-7-3. Nilsson, who had 12 saves in relief of Allen, ended up with the loss to fall to 10-13-2. Allen had 13 stops.

Notes: Calgary’s TJ Brodie (upper body) and Sam Bennett (upper body) both missed their second game… St. Louis had won the previous six meetings between the two teams… Gaudreau increases his NHL-leading home point total to 51 (23 goals, 28 assists). He’s five up on Chicago’s Patrick Kane.