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Avs edge Blues, match longest home winning streak

Dec 22, 2011 - 6:21 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Jay McClement scored the winner in the second period to help the Colorado Avalanche take a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.

Paul Stastny and Cody McLeod each had a goal for the Avalanche, who have won three straight and tied a franchise record with their seventh straight home win. Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned aside 37 shots in the win.

"This is a good time to do it, in December where we play a lot of games at home," said Stastny. "We have one more game until Christmas that is what we want to focus on and not get distracted."

Chris Stewart and David Backes each had a goal for the Blues, who have dropped two of three. Brian Elliott stopped 19 shots in the loss.

"I think they came at us early, got a couple of lucky bounces and they worked for their bounces," said Elliott. "We had to play come back hockey and we have to start with the lead and learn this as a lesson."

The deciding goal came at the 14:07 mark of the second period when McClement sent a backhand pass from the right wing that hit off Alex Pietrangelo and went into the net. However, Pietrangelo was sliding backwards on his belly and crashed into the net, causing it to dislodge.

After a lengthy replay, it was ruled a good goal and the Avalanche took a 3-2 lead.

That held up in the third period thanks to 11 saves from Giguere.

Colorado got the first goal of the game as Matt Hunwick's shot from the right point was tipped in by Stastny just 3:52 in.

Just over a minute later, a dump in from Kevin Porter saw Elliott field the puck and attempt to pass it over to his left for a teammate. However, the attempt was ineffective and McLeod picked up the puck and snuck it in for the easy goal.

St. Louis, though, made it a one-goal game 3:01 into the second when Backes' wrister from the left circle beat Giguere cleanly to the glove side.

At the 9:10 mark of the second, the Blues tied the game when Patrik Berglund skated around to the slot and sent a backhand shot on net that saw Stewart tap home the rebound.

Game Notes

Colorado hosts Tampa Bay on Friday...St. Louis plays at Phoenix on Friday...Colorado has taken nine of the last 10 against St. Louis, including a 3-2 decision in a shootout at Colorado on December 2.