During the three game losing streak, no one took more heat than Paul Stastny.

The heat grew to an inferno during after the second period when Stastny was minus-3 as the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames went into the final intermission tied 3-3.

In the first two periods, it was the story of new signings. John Mitchell, with a face only a mad scientist could love, had two goals with P.A. Parenteau adding the third for the Avs while Jiri Hudler scored two goals and had an assist for the Flames.

After two periods, Stastny was being loaded onto a trade ship bound for China. The fans were sick of his lack of presence when the game was on the lines.

In the third period, Stastny had had enough, scoring a wrap around on the powerplay and then a put-back off a long Mitchell shot to give the Avs a safe 5-3 lead.

For once, it seemed, Stastny stepped up into the void to provide the Avs with much-needed scoring, this after Matt Duchene had been doing the heavy lifting scoring at nearly a point per game click.

Duchene, who set up the Avs' powerplay with a shifty move between Flame defenders, forcing them to haul him down. On the powerplay, Stastny would take a puck jarred loose by Parenteau and wrap it around Mikka Kiprusoff's pad for the go-ahead goal.

Duchene had several chances throughout his game but could not capitalize thanks to some gritty work by the Flame defense and Kiprusoff.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere was solid in net, supporting a shaky defense that look more like a certain dairy product from Switzerland. Giguere played big nonetheless and kept the Avs from being down multiple goals early in the game.

The win put a stop to the Avs' three game losing streak, gave them their first win on the road and maybe a little more confidence offensively. They get a day off before returning home to face the Edmonton Oilers in a matinee showdown on Saturday.

Three Stars
1. John Mitchell- was the best player on the ice
2. Jiri Hudler- three point night for the newest Flame
3. Paul Stastny- showed up big late

Facepalm of the Game

Matt Hunwick wins for a cross ice pass out of his zone that was intercepted and put in the back of his own net. Wasn't a move a peewee dman makes.

Bang Bang Play of the Game

John Mitchell wins this for his work. Scored two goals and directly set up another one.

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