clarinews@clarinet.com (02/04/90)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (UPI) -- Bob Kudelski fired in a 30-foot slap shot for his second goal of the game with 3:59 to play, giving the Los Angeles Kings a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Calgary Flames Saturday. The Flames, unbeaten in their last eight games, seemed in command after defenseman Al MacInnis scored twice in the second period to give the Smythe Division leaders a 3-1 advantage. But the Kings scored three unanswered goals in the final period to produce just their third win in their last 14 games. John Tonelli's rebound shot on a power play started the Kings' comeback 4:05 into the third period. Calgary's Joel Otto had been assessed a four-minute roughing penalty to set up the chance. After assisting on Tonellis's 21st goal, Luc Robitaille drilled in the tying goal from 20 feet out with 5:11 to play. Then Kudelski got the game winner withhis 17th goal of the season when he took a pass form Tomas Sandstrom and beat goalie Rick Wamsley to the glove side 30 feet out. Theoren Fleury scored the only goal of the first period for the Flames on a breakaway with his team shorthanded. The goal, at 5:35, came after Fleury stole the puck in his own end, carried it down the ice and slipped in a five-foot shot to goalie Mario Gosselin's short side. Kudelski, taking a pass from Wayne Gretzky, tied the game 51 seconds into the second period when he drilled a 30-foot slap shot into the left corner of the net. On the power play, MacInnis' 45-foot slap shot trickled off Gosselin's pads to give the Flames a 2-1 lead at 11:08. Then with 3:35 left in the period, MacInnis stole a clearing pass and rifled in a 30-foot shot for his 20th goal of the season to make it 3-1. The Flames now have suffered 13 of their 16 losses by a one-goal margin. Referee Andy Van Hellemond had to leave the game with 3:57 left in the second peirod when his left ankle was struck by the puck off a Calgary pass. Linesman Ryan Bozak took over for the remainder of the contest.