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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
DENVER (AP) -- It seemed only fitting that a game filled with
strange plays ended with one.
Milan Hejduk scored his second goal of the game 39 seconds into
overtime as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames for the
eighth straight time, winning 3-2 Saturday night.
|  | | Patrick Roy and the Avs held Flames leading scorer Jarome Iginla to just one assist Saturday. |
"It was a wacky goal," Hejduk said, who along with linemates
Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay combined for nine points and all three
goals. "Right now the wacky bounces are going our way."
Sakic had a goal and two assists for the Avalanche, who at
16-4-3 matched the 1994-95 start of the Quebec Nordiques as the
best opening in franchise history.
Tanguay had three assists to extend his NHL season-high point
streak (6-13-19) to 11 games as Colorado extended its home unbeaten
streak to seven games (6-0-1). Hejduk also assisted on Sakic's
goal.
"Right now that line is making smart decisions and supporting
each other well," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said. "They are
communicating well as a line and they don't care who puts the puck
in the net."
Mark Savard scored both goals -- each on the power play -- for
Calgary. The Flames, who haven't beaten the Avalanche since April
15, 1999, were 0-for-20 with the man advantage before Savard scored
at 8:03 of the first period.
The game-winner came after Mike Vernon, who stopped 23 shots,
blocked a shot by Tanguay. The rebound came back into the slot to
Hejduk, who whirled and hit the puck out of the air with the shaft
of his stick past Vernon.
"I'm surprised I made it," Hejduk said.
Hejduk also scored 26 seconds into the game, beating Vernon with
a wrist shot from the slot.
Savard answered with two straight goals in the period, taking
advantage of mistakes by Patrick Roy. The Colorado goalie drew a
delay of game penalty at 7:31 by flipping the puck into the stands,
creating a 5-on-3 advantage for the Flames. Igor Kravchuk found
Savard behind Roy at 8:03 for a tap-in goal that tied it at 1.
Later, while attempting to clear the puck from behind his own
net, Roy put it on Savard's stick in the upper right circle. Savard
scored into the untended net at 18:20.
"Both goals were the result of hard work," Savard said.
"Crisp passing set up the first goal and pressure forced the play
by Roy."
Sakic's rebound goal 1:36 into the second period tied it 2-2.
Vernon stopped Hejduk, who had skated in alone on goal, but Sakic
jumped on the rebound and flipped it over Vernon.
Calgary had the better scoring chances in the first half of the
third period. Oleg Saprykin was denied on a wrap-around attempt in
the first minute of the period and Robyn Regehr hit the crossbar at
9:35.
The Flames also had a power play midway, but never got a shot on
goal.
Calgary coach Don Hay was so enraged by a penalty called on
Jason Wiemer with 1:31 left in regulation that he refused comment
and headed directly for the officials dressing room.
Game notes
Calgary is 2-4-0 on the second night of back-to-back games.
... The Flames have the most power plays in the NHL (149) after
having five on Saturday. ... Savard has seven goals and 13 assists
in his past 17 games. ... Colorado's Adam Deadmarsh (concussion)
and Stephane Yelle (left groin) were expected to return, but had
another day off. ... The Avalanche recalled C Joel Prpic and G
Frederic Cassivi from Hershey of the AHL. ... Colorado has won nine
of its last 10 games against divisional opponents. ... The
Avalanche outscored the Flames 36-12 during their streak against
Calgary.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Calgary Clubhouse
Colorado Clubhouse
RECAPS
Atlanta 2
Washington 1
Buffalo 5
Montreal 3
Detroit 4
NY Islanders 3
Ottawa 4
Toronto 2
Florida 2
Tampa Bay 1
Los Angeles 2
Pittsburgh 2
Dallas 4
Columbus 2
Edmonton 3
Anaheim 2
St. Louis 5
Phoenix 1
Colorado 3
Calgary 2
New Jersey 3
San Jose 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Igor Kravchuck feeds Marc Savard at the net for the goal.
avi: 744 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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