Deadmarsh Family Has a Big Night

After scoring a goal in the first period, Colorado Avalanche forward Adam Deadmarsh left Friday night’s 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames at Denver to be with his wife while she gave birth to twin girls six weeks premature.

Deadmarsh scored Colorado’s first goal at 8:54 of the first period. He left midway through the second after getting word of his wife, Krista, going into labor. She was due March 22 and had also gone into labor on Dec. 29.

Jeff Cowan got his first goal in 16 games, scoring unassisted on a breakaway in the third period to lift Calgary. The Avalanche, which leads the NHL with 79 points, has lost a season-high three games in a row and faces the St. Louis Blues tonight.

Mike Vernon, who shut out Colorado in December, stopped a flurry of shots in the final two minutes and finished with 34 saves for Calgary.

Minnesota 2, Dallas 1--Manny Fernandez made 28 saves against his former team at Dallas and rookie Marian Gaborik scored the game-winning goal late in the second period to propel the Wild to its second victory over the Stars this season.

Phoenix 2, Edmonton 0--Sean Burke made 38 saves for his first shutout in three months, and Keith Tkachuk got his 600th career point on a first-period goal to help the Coyotes win at Phoenix.

New York Rangers 4, Florida 2--Petr Nedved scored two goals, one into an empty net, to clinch the Rangers’ victory at Sunrise, Fla.

Philadelphia 5, New York Islanders 2--Dan McGillis had a goal and two assists to pace the Flyers to a victory at Uniondale, N.Y.

Atlanta 5, Boston 1--Ray Ferraro and Per Svartvadet each scored two goals to lead the struggling Thrashers at Atlanta.