NHL

• Flames down Avs

  
  

  Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Adrian Aucoin and Rene Bourque scored while Miikka Kiprusoff made 22 saves, as the Calgary Flames defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 4-1, in the opener of a home-and-home set at Saddledome.

  Jarome Iginla and David Moss also scored for the inconsistent Flames, who are now 3-5 since a six-game win streak.

  These two teams will meet in Denver on Thursday.

  "We worked hard on systems and tonight that was the difference," said Aucoin. "Our guys worked hard and we did it right. When you do as you're told, things normally work out well." Peter Budaj was stellar with 47 saves for the Avalanche, who saw their three- game win streak halted. Marek Svatos scored the only goal in the loss.

  With the score tied 1-1 in the third period, the Flames moved ahead for good on Aucoin's third goal of the season with 7:32 remaining in regulation. Aucoin, standing on the blue line along the left side, jumped to catch a high clearing attempt in the Colorado defensive zone. He quickly put the puck on the ice with his glove, skated several strides and, from the high left slot above the circle, beat Budaj with a rocket slap shot into the upper right side of the net.

  "Hats off to our forwards," said Aucoin. "When they're pressuring like that, sometimes you have to make big plays.

  I was able to stay in and make the play." With over a minute to go in the third, T.J. Hensick was all alone at the left post but Kiprusoff made a nice pad save to preserve the lead. With the extra attacker on the ice in favor of the goaltender, Milan Hejduk had a chance with a one-timer also from the left post but could not convert.

  Iginla's empty-netter at 19:32 sealed the win and a meaningless power-play goal by Moss with 10 seconds to play after the Avs had basically stopped skating capped the scoring.

  "I'm not happy," said Budaj.

  "We win as a team and we lose as a team, and tonight was a disappointing loss. We didn't win the battles on the walls, and that resulted in a lot of shots for them. We need to come to work tomorrow and get ready for Thursday." The Avalanche opened the scoring 6:48 into the first period. Wojtek Wolski's forechecking efforts along the rear boards pushed the puck onto the stick of Hensick.

  A quick pass from Hensick into the low slot led to a snap shot goal by Svatos from near the left post.

  Bourque's fourth goal, the only tally of the middle session, tied it up. Dustin Boyd kept the puck in the zone and mustered a pass to Mike Cammalleri. While falling down inside the left circle, Cammalleri passed across the slot where Bourque's one-timer turned into a knuckleball and the speed fooled Budaj for a 1-1 score at 6:53.

  Game Notes This is the third time in as many meetings this season -- all in Calgary -- that the Flames have defeated the Avs...Calgary improved to 7-2-1 at home this season...Budaj fell to 4-8-1 for his career against the Flames...Colorado forward Joe Sakic missed his third straight game with a back strain...The Flames were 1-for-8 on the power play and held the Avs scoreless on their two chances with the extra skater...Attendance was 19,289.

  11/19 01:13:09 ET