Much was made of Roman Turek's unbeaten streak against his former teammates this season, a streak that was dramatically halted against Dallas last week.

So in a way it was fitting that Greg Gilbert made a last second change to his starter in San Jose, and started former Shark, Mike Vernon, ahead of the Flames number one goaltender, Roman Turek.

The plan couldn't have worked more perfectly, as Mike Vernon stole the show in turning aside 32 shots in a 2-2 tie in San Jose.

The Flames came out with some jump in this one, making the Sharks look like the team that had played the night before in Los Angeles - jumping to an early six - one margin in shots, including some great chances.

The Sharks opened the scoring however when Teemu Selanne picked the puck away from Craig Conroy and went in alone on Vernon.

It looked like it was to be yet another tough night for Vernon at that point with the Flames up 10-3 in shots and down a goal.

The Flames tied the game before the end of the period, however, when Toni Lydman notched his first of the season on a powerplay with just over two minutes left in the frame.

The Flames continued to press in the second period, putting themselves up a goal when Craig Conroy got his stick on a Jamie Allison point shot for his 10th of the season. Conroy's career best total is 14, a number he will surely surpass this season.

From there it was all San Jose, with the exception of Flame goaltender Mike Vernon, as the Sharks dominated, out shooting the Flames by a margin of 30-11 over the final two periods.

Vernon was solid.

Early in the third the Sharks finally managed to tie the score when Niklas Sundstrom collected a Scott Thornton rebound and flipped the puck past a fallen Flames goaltender.

Vernon was able to shut the door and get the weary Flames to overtime, where neither team was able to exert much pressure.

The tie gives the Flames points in three straight games (win and two ties), after being winless in six.

The Flames have only allowed four goals in those three games.

Box Score

FLAMES LINES

OUR THREE STARS

1) Mike Vernon - a tough luck season possibly righted with a solid performance?

2) Temmue Selanne - scored a first period goal, and was dangerous all night.

3) Toni Lydman - logged a tonne of ice time, and scored his first goal of the season on the first period.

"No question, Calgary is the hardest-working team we've played, they might not have a lot of other things, but they have work ethic." - Darryl Sutter, the Shark's coach, in what appears to be a backhanded compliment.

"You know Vernie: he's always got something to say,'' Sharks Mike Ricci on Vernon's strong play.

The Sharks were led in shots by Teemu Selanne and Gary Suter, each with four. The Flames were led by Craig Conroy with three. ... With Derek Morris out of action, the Flames were led in ice time by Toni Lydman, who held down 26:28 of duty on the night. Jarome Iginla was second with 25:40 of action. ... The Shark's Magnus Ragnarsson had 26:32 of ice for the Sharks. Ragnarsson returned from a holdout last week, and is bound to get into game shape at that pace. ... Marc Savard was dominant in the face off circle, besting his counterparts by a 14-3 margin on the night. Scott Nichol held a 9-6 advantage while Craig Conroy had a tough night, getting edged 13-12. ... The Flames were 1-3 on the powerplay, the Sharks came up empty in five opportunities, the second straight night where the Flames penalty killers were dominant. ... Attendance was 17, 386.