Avalanche Edge Flames, 3-2

Dec 5, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward

(29) looks for a rebound in front of Edmonton Oilers goaltender

(40) during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche got right back into the win column Friday night as they defeated the Calgary Flames, 3-2. They would lose the first of a back-to-back against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night. John Mitchell would be called for holding right away as the Calgary Flames would go on the power-play. Kris Russell would make Mitchell pay as his scored his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Mikael Backlund. On the play, it looked as if there was goaltender interference as Jean-Sebastien Giguere was still in the crease. He would be furious after the play, pushing the net against the boards. He would be called for a 2:00 minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, it would be served by Nathan MacKinnon.

Calgary would however pick up a goaltender interference penalty later in the period as Lane MacDermid would pick up the penalty. Colorado wouldn’t go on the power-play however, as Cody McLeod would pick up the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. McLeod and MacDermid would engage in a fight and both would pick up five-minute majors.

Max Talbot would strike for the Colorado Avalanche as he would score his first goal in an Avalanche uniform. The goal would be his second of the year, assisted by John Mitchell. P.A. Parenteau would add another goal 54 seconds later, his 9th goal of the season. He would be assisted by John Mitchell and Max Talbot.

Early on in the third period, Gabriel Landeskog would take a shot on net as Nathan MacKinnon would follow-up with the rebound goal, his sixth goal of the season. The Avalanche would score three goals in 4-minutes and 28 seconds. However, the Flames would put on the pressure as they scored late in the third. Matt Stajan would pick up his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Mike Cammalleri and Jiri Hudler.

The Avalanche would prevail after a late scare in the third, as Jean-Sebastien Giguere improves to 7-0-0 on the season, saving 26/28 shots, 92.9% save percentage. The Avs are now 20-7-0 on the season with 40 points as they continue their road-trip Sunday night in Vancouver. The Avalanche  improved to 3-7-0 when allowing the first goal.

Three-Stars:

3 – Erik Johnson (COL): 2 hits, +1, TOI 23:45

2 – Mark Giordano (CGY): 5 shots, 1 hit, +1.

1 – Max Talbot (COL): Goal, assist, +2.