Calgary Flames keep playoff hopes alive

CALGARY, Canada — Miikka Kiprusoff made 29 saves and the Calgary Flames beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 2-1, on Wednesday night to move within two points of eighth-place Colorado for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Flames, winners of their last five home games, will face the Avalanche on Friday night in Denver.

Rene Bourque opened the scoring for Calgary with his 25th goal of the season, beating Jason LaBarbera on a power play in the second period. Ales Kotalik made it 2-0 early in the third, and Lee Stempniak scored for Phoenix with 6:52 left.

LaBarbera also finished with 29 saves.

Bourque’s goal was the first power-play score surrendered by Phoenix in six games. With Mathieu Schneider in the penalty box, Ian White pinched in at the blue line and fired the puck which deflected in off Bourque’s skate.

Kotalik made it 2-0, snapping a shot inside the goal post on a pass by Mikael Backlund.

-- Associated Press