Miikka Kiprusoff blocks 20 in last period leads Calgary Flames to 4-2 victory over Colorado Avalanche
It was Miikka Kiprusoff’s 35th birthday and he did not hesitate in spending it in a big way by blocking 34 shots throughout their matchup against Colorado, including 20 in the final period, as Calgary Flames beat the Avalanche, 4-2, Wednesday
night, October 26, at the sold-out Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Calgary entered the contests looking for their first win after having lost two straight previously against the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators. Colorado on the other hand has remaining hot ever since the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular
season kicked off by having won six out of their past eight contests.
Colorado was two points behind Dallas in the Western Conference for tying the team at the number one spot, but after losing to Calgary, the Dallas Stars will have a chance to extend their two point lead even further now.
Calgary moved up one spot in the conference to the number 13 spot, tying it with Nashville Predators. They need another two points in order to level it with Anaheim Ducks for number eight and move up above the playoff qualifying line.
Kyle Quincey potted his second of the season midway through the opening period on their first power play opportunity of the matchup as Rene Bourque was booked for tripping with a minor penalty.
Roman Horak scored the equaliser for Calgary nearly three minutes later for his first of the season giving Alex Tanguay and Captain Jarome Iginla a point each for assisting.
Lee Stempniak opened up his scoring for the new season at the 3:57 mark entering the second period while Bourque followed up for his fourth during another power play opportunity given by Colorado’s Kyle Quincey, but this time for interference.
Ryan Wilson gave the impression that Colorado was going to come back into the match as he scored with less than five minute to go and brought the visiting team within reach of the score by one.
Luckily, Kiprusoff blocked 19 of 20 shots he faced in the third period alone to keep Colorado out of the match.
Calgary has one more game scheduled for this month against St. Louis Blues on Friday, while Colorado has two more away games left against Edmonton Oilers on the same day and Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
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