Eurolanche

Flames end road woes with win over Avs

The Calgary Flames haven't had much reason to smile this season while posting the second-worst record in the NHL. The same can be said for the Colorado Avalanche, who have the League's worst record.

The Flames were able to celebrate a rare win Monday at the Pepsi Center, where they defeated the Avalanche 3-1 to snap a 13-game road losing streak.

Former Avalanche left wing Alex Tanguay sealed the victory by scoring a shorthanded goal with 3:19 remaining in the third period.

The Flames now have a 14-20-4 record and 32 points, while the Avalanche fell to 12-22-5 and 29 points.

The Flames had one 0-12-1 on the road since a 4-3 win at Dallas on Feb. 1. They had lost five games in a row overall and six of their previous seven games, the only win a 4-3 home decision against the Avalanche on March 27.

The Avalanche have lost five games in a row (0-4-1), eight of their past 10 (1-8-1) and 13 of their past 15 (2-12-1).

The Flames got goals from Roman Cervenka and Mike Cammalleri 6:17 apart in the second period to grab a 2-1 lead.

Cervenka scored through a screen at 10:36 after skating to the top of the slot to tie the game 1-1. The goal came 10 seconds after the Flames failed to convert on their fifth power play of the game, which included a two-man advantage in the first period that lasted 1:36.

Cammalleri put the Flames ahead at 16:53 off a pass from Roman Horak, who picked up his second assist of the game. Horak was along the end boards when he slid the puck by Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson to Cammalleri, skating unimpeded to the net. Cammalleri chipped the puck by goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere's stick.

Rookie Brad Malone opened the scoring for the Avalanche at 1:45 of the period for his first NHL goal in 15 career games. Defenseman Tyson Barrie fired a shot from the point and Malone deflected it by Flames goalie Joey MacDonald.

It was the 12th time in 39 games this season that the Avalanche scored first.

The Avalanche killed three penalties in the first period, including the two-man disadvantage with Patrick Bordeleau (roughing) and Greg Zanon (delay of game) in the penalty box.

Giguere started for the Avalanche because Semyon Varlamov tweaked his hip. He took part in the warmup and served as Giguere's backup.

-- by Rick Sadowski fo Nhl.com --