CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Miikka Kiprusoff logged the first-ever shutout in an outdoor NHL game Sunday, backstopping Calgary to a 4-0 win over Montreal at the 2011 Heritage Classic.
Kiprusoff turned aside all 39 shots he saw on the outdoor rink at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, and was especially effective in the second period when he made 21 saves in frigid conditions on choppy ice.
The Calgary goalie's shutout -- his fourth of the year and 38th of his career -- was the first of any outdoor games played in the United States as the Winter Classic and in Canada as the Heritage Classic.
Rene Bourque scored twice (including his 100th career goal) and Anton Babchuk and Alex Tanguay also found the net for the Flames, who moved into a sixth-place tie in the Western Conference playoff race with 70 points.
Carey Price made 33 saves for the Canadiens, who failed to gain ground on Northeast Division leaders Boston.
The game-time temperature was 17 degrees Fahrenheit -- actually warmer than at Saturday's practice. NHL crews had to spend considerable time smoothing out the playing surface to reduce its choppiness.
It was the second outdoor Canadian game. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium in 2003.
