Ducks Notice Fitzgerald Too Late

DENVER —  Maybe only a few people took notice when Tom Fitzgerald was obtained by the Colorado Avalanche last week.

But the Mighty Ducks took notice Saturday after Fitzgerald scored two goals, one short-handed, in leading the Avalanche to a 5-3 victory.

His scoring prowess was just as unexpected for the Avalanche as it was for the Ducks. Colorado acquired him for his skills as a leader and penalty killer more than anything else.

But the former Florida Panther provided the bonus that made the difference. The goals were only his 11th and 12th of the season.

The Ducks had their five-game unbeaten streak stopped and ended the seven-game trip--their longest of the season--with a 3-2-2 record.

Despite their relative success on the trip, Saturday’s loss hurt the playoff chances of the Ducks, who began the day seven points behind Edmonton for the eighth and final berth in the Western Conference.

“They played a very good ‘team game’ despite missing quite a few guys. We didn’t help ourselves giving up three power-play goals, a short-handed one and getting 11 penalties,” Duck Coach Pierre Page said.

Duck goaltender Mikhail Shtalenkov, unbeaten in his last five starts, stopped 10 of 15 shots before being replaced by Tom Askey.

Josef Marha, Frank Banham and Jason Marshall scored for the Ducks.

Marshall was awarded a goal at 4:44 of the third when Avalanche defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh sent the puck into the net from center ice as Roy skated off on a delayed penalty on Pavel Trnka.

“That was the easiest goal I’ve ever had because I never once touched the puck,” Marshall said of his first goal in 15 games. “The outcome is what matters because right now we need wins and not just fluke goals from me.”