CALGARY, Alberta — For eight seconds Tuesday night, life was good again for the Avalanche.
In those eight ticks of the Pengrowth Saddledome clock, the Avs lived the high life on the road against the Calgary Flames. Marek Svatos had just scored, the Avs were keeping the Flames’ offense in check and visions of a third straight victory in Alberta this season were starting to form.
One swing from the aging stick of former Av Owen Nolan, however, and the good times were gone. In the end, the Avalanche lost for the seventh time on the road this season, 4-1 to Calgary — ending a seven-game winning streak against the Flames.
The Avs fell to 2-7-1 on the road primarily because of another anemic showing on the power play (0-for-5). And because goalie Jose Theodore gave up a soft short-side goal to Nolan right after Svatos had given the Avs a 1-0 lead 1:54 into the second period, which stopped his team’s momentum in its tracks. Nolan’s shot was Calgary’s fifth of the game to that point.
“It’s tough sometimes when you’re not seeing a lot of shots, but that’s a save I’ve got to make,” Theodore said.
With about 10 minutes left in the third, the Avs had allowed only eight Flames shots, but were behind 2-1.
At 9:04 of the second, Jarome Iginla scored what proved to be the game-winner. On the play, Avs defender Brett Clark overcommitted to a Matthew Lombardi fake, sliding past him into the corner boards, freeing up the extra man that Lombardi was quick to spot in Iginla in the slot.
“We had a better effort, but got no result,” said Avs captain Joe Sakic, who failed to score in his 10th straight game. “It was a tight game all around. It was definitely a lot better effort than the last game. I know it was 4-1, but it was a close game. I think today we built something; I think we worked pretty hard, and hopefully it’s a step in the right direction.”
The Avs had four power-play chances in the first period, and got another chance with 8:03 left in third. Sakic had a great chance from the right side late in the power play, but Miikka Kipru-soff made a fine save.
David Moss, he of zero goals in 17 games, put the game away with 4:09 left, tapping in a shot from the crease in front of Karlis Skrastins.
“I think (right now) it’s all power play. The power play ignites our offense,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. “Your top guys are a little more comfortable in all situations when it’s working. If you’re not scoring on your power play, it’s tough. That’s the area we’ve got to get a spark from.”
The Avs’ Ryan Smyth escaped serious injury in the second period when he was hit in the head from behind by Anders Eriksson’s elbow. Smyth missed the rest of the period, but played the third and was OK.
“I didn’t really have a chance to protect myself, that’s the only thing. But that happens,” Smyth said.
Avs Recap
Three stars
1. Jarome Iginla Scored the game-winning goal.
2. Owen Nolan Scored twice for the Flames, including an empty-netter.
3. Paul Stastny Assisted on Avs’ only goal and created some good chances.
What you might have missed
Avs defenseman John- Michael Liles was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Liles has been in coach Joel Quenneville’s doghouse before, a healthy scratch at one point late last season.
Defensive battle
Since 2005-06, the Avs and Flames had combined to score 139 goals in the previous 19 games (7.3 per game).
Up next
At Edmonton, Thursday at 7 p.m.
