Despite the recent role of spoiler to many teams as they push for the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche couldn’t finish the season for the Calgary Flames, who won in Colorado 2-1 last night.

The Avalanche came out and played a largely well rounded game, bolstered by an uncharacteristically off-book performance by netminder Peter Budaj, hot off his 100th career win. Budaj was sliding, diving, and moving all over the ice, making some huge saves and doing his best impersonation of opponent Miika Kiprusoff, who was above and beyond on top of his own game.

Colorado found it nearly impossible to beat the Flames goaltender, who used his name-brand, flailing, flare to keep his team in the playoff hunt by bringing them behind the Chicago Blackhawks by just one point. The Avalanche were largely aggressive in the offensive zone throughout the game and arguably won the first period though both teams entered the break tied at zero.

The second period found Colorado with two man advantage opportunities, which they failed to convert on. Taking their cue from the ineptitude of the special teams unit, Calgary took the lead on an Olli Jokinen goal. Former Avalanche Alex Tanguay would notch the assist as well as the go ahead goal in the third period, capitalizing on some lazy back checking with team captain Jarome Iginla.

Continuing on the tradition of making it a game in the final five minutes, the Avs managed to ruin Kiprusoff’s shutout bid when Milan Hejduk picked up a John-Michael Liles rebound and sent it home. That is all the Avs could muster though, dropping the decision 2-1.

Notes: Paul Stastny was announced as out for the season with a stress fracture in his leg.

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