Avalanche Vs. Thrashers: Atlanta Defeats Colorado, 3-2, In Overtime

A Stewart scored the game-winning overtime goal in the contest between the Colorado Avalanche and the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday night. It just wasn’t Colorado’s Chris Stewart, who is out with a broken hand. Rather, it was his older brother, Anthony. About 1:50 into the overtime period, Stewart scored a wraparound goal to give the Thrashers the 3-2 victory.

The Colorado Avalanche made a game of it in the third period when Matt Duchene and David Jones scored goals in the first 11 minutes of play. The team had been down 1-0, but took the 2-1 lead at that point. However, Dustin Byfuglien scored the equalizer with about six minutes left to play.

Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj made 28 saves on 31 shots.

Colorado is now 13-9-2 (28 points), but losers in three of their last four games. They take the ice again on Friday, Dec. 3 on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 5:00 p.m. MT.

Avalanche Vs. Thrashers: Atlanta Leads Colorado, 1-0, After First Period

Center Rich Peverley scored at 10:41 in the first period to give the Atlanta Thrashers a 1-0 lead over the Colorado Avalanche. Atlanta goalie Ondrej Pavelec has stopped all eight shots the Avalanche have put on net so far. Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj has made 14-of-15 saves.

Milan Hejduk, Ryan O’Byrne and Kevin Shattenkirk each had a penalty during the period, while Atlanta had none.

Newly-acquired Matt Hunwick has appeared for about six minutes (1:18 on the penalty play) and recorded two hits.

Avalanche Vs. Thrashers: New-Look Colorado Hosts Red-Hot Atlanta

The Colorado Avalanche host the streaking Atlanta Thrashers Tuesday night at Pepsi Center, but with a new look to their roster. In the last 24 hours, Colorado has completed two separate trades and have given their defensive corps an fresh new look. While newly acquired forward Tomas Fleischmann will not arrive to the arena in time to dress, new defenseman Matt Hunwick is expected to make his Avalanche debut.

The Atlanta Thrashers roar into town on the heels of a five-game winning streak that has resuscitated their season, catapulting them into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They've handled some strong competition during that time, dominating Cup hopefuls Washington and Detroit, among others. Led by two of the three NHL Stars of the Week in Dustin Byfuglien (who has four goals and seven assists during the streak) and goalie Ondrej Pavelec (NHL leading 1.62 GAA and .949 SV%), the Thrashers have their sights set on making the Southeast Division a three-team race, joining the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Peter Budaj will again get the start tonight, with Craig Anderson expected to make his return on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. This is the first of six straight games against the Southeast Division, and the only one that Avalanche will have at home. After tonight, they are on the road for five straight games and will not return to Pepsi Center until a December 13 game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The puck drops at 8pm MDT.

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