Recap: Colorado vs. Detroit

Sports Network | October 24, 2009

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Chris Stewart scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and Craig Anderson made 48 saves, as the Avalanche continued their good early-season play with a 3-1 win over the Red Wings.

Stewart also had an assist, while T.J. Galiardi had a goal and a helper for Colorado, which has points in all but one game this season and has won six of seven overall.

"Teams are now starting to think we're a good team," Galiardi said. "We just have to keep things in their zone and stay aggressive. I can't say enough about [Anderson]. He has kept us in every game. Everyone is working together now, older guys and younger guys."

Paul Stastny added an empty-net tally for the Avs, who have won five of their last six games against Detroit, including a 4-3 shootout victory last Saturday.

James Howard allowed two goals on 22 shots for the Red Wings, who have dropped three in a row. They were 0-for-8 on the power play.

"We had people there in the crease all night," Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg said. "We had second chances, and we just have to keep battling. It's always tough to beat a hot goalie, and [Anderson's] been playing well."

Kris Draper had the lone goal for Detroit, which came 3:09 into the second period. Daniel Cleary sent a pass from the left circle to near the left post for Draper, who wheeled around in the crease and sent a backhander over Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

Galiardi evened the contest at 14:26 of the second with a backhander over Howard's right shoulder, after Stewart sent him a pass from the right circle.

Then, Stewart made it a 2-1 Avs lead at the 9:20 mark of the third, when he beat Howard high to the stick side.

Stastny added his empty-netter with a minute to go to seal the win, as Anderson stopped 21 shots in the final period. He also made 12 saves in a scoreless first and an additional 15 in the second.

Anderson picked up his eighth win, which set a franchise record for goaltender victories in October. He also made his 11th consecutive start to begin the year, setting another franchise mark...Galiardi's goal broken a 14-game goalless drought.