Blues 3 - 4 Avalanche
Final
  for this game

Yip helps Avs slip past Blues

Jan 25, 2011 - 6:00 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Brandon Yip scored two goals and drew a high- sticking penalty that led to a Kevin Shattenkirk power-play marker in the third period, as the Colorado Avalanche held on to beat the St. Louis Blues, 4-3, at Pepsi Center.

Ryan Stoa notched the game-winning tally for the Avalanche, who snapped a two- game skid and won for the third time in their last five games. Peter Budaj finished with 21 saves for Colorado, which has won six straight games over St. Louis.

"It was huge, I think, not only just scoring goals, just playing the right way," Yip said. "I think everyone did that tonight. We showed a great effort, it's a team win."

Jay McClement, Eric Brewer and David Backes lit the lamp for the Blues, who fell to 2-7-2 in January. Brad Boyes collected three assists and Jaroslav Halak stopped 28 shots.

"We showed a lot of character and a lot of good things and it's a step in the right direction. Steps in the right direction don't get you any points," Backes said.

Boyes clipped Yip with an errant stick at 7:28 of the third period, and Colorado capitalized on the double-minor to grab a 3-2 lead. Shattenkirk faked a shot to avoid St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and fired a wrister from the left circle that beat a screened Halak on the short side at 10:34.

Stoa doubled Colorado's advantage 44 seconds later on a goal that was reviewed to determine if the puck crossed the goal line.

Moments after blocking Philippe Dupuis' empty-net bid, Backes pumped home a rebound to make it 4-3 with 1:27 remaining. St. Louis continued to press for the equalizer, but to no avail.

Following a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the teams combined for four goals in the second period.

Yip staked the Avalanche to a 1-0 lead 1:21 into the frame, beating Halak with a shot along the ice after Colorado defenseman Ryan Wilson kept the puck in the zone.

McClement put St. Louis on the board at 7:52, then Brewer snuck in from his point position and scored to give the Blues a 2-1 lead at 13:08. Yip drew Colorado even on the power play at 17:06.

Game Notes

Yip snapped a 13-game goal drought...Kyle Cumiskey had two assists for Colorado...Wilson played in his 100th NHL game...The Blues were 0-for-3 on the power play.






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