The tie is broken, as the Colorado Avalanche now lead 1-0 over the Calgary Flames after two periods in a battle of near-.500 teams on Thursday night. With each team sitting just a game below .500 on the year, someone's going to leave tonight's game with their record back at even for the year.
Colorado's goal was scored by center Matt Duchene, his tenth goal of the season. Assisted on the play by Jan Hejda, the score happened roughly five minutes into the second period. It's a lead that the Avalanche has held so far, despite the massive advantage that Calgary has in shots on goal. After out-shooting the Avalanche 10-4 in the first period, the Flames followed up by posting a 15-5 advantage on shots on goal in the second period.
Avalanche goalie Jean Sebastien Giguere has been lights out, though, saving all 25 shots that have gone his way so far. In his eighth start of the season, the veteran is looking for his second shutout. Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff hasn't had nearly as much luck, allowed a goal in one of the nine shots that the Avalanche has laid upon him tonight.
For more coverage, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Colorado Avalanche, visit Mile High Hockey, and for more on the Calgary Flames, check out Matchsticks And Gasoline.