Penguins G Fleury notches win vs. Thrashers

Dec 19, 2008 - 3:51 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Marc-Andre Fleury returned to the ice on Thursday.

Fleury, who has been sidelined by a groin injury for more than a month, turned aside 28 shots as the Pittsburgh Penguins recorded a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

The netminder had been out since November 15, when he suffered the groin injury against the Buffalo Sabres.

"It was good (to be back)," Fleury said. "I was excited for the game. It's good to be back with the guys. It was fun to win it."

Without its No. 1 goaltender Fleury, Pittsburgh had struggled in December, winning just twice in seven games entering its tilt against the Thrashers.

Fleury returned to the ice on Thursday after missing 13 games with a groin injury. The 24-year-old Pittsburgh netminder, who led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, was back making acrobatic saves. And the Penguins were back to their winning ways.

"We were hoping for a solid game (from Fleury)," Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien said. "I thought he was phenomenal. He made key save after key save early in the game."

The 24-year-old Fleury, who helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, entered the contest with an 8-3-2 record and a 2.86 goals-against average this season.