ATLANTA, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Rookie Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 27th goal, helping the Atlanta Thrashers snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 3-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers.
With the game tied, 1-1, early in the third period, Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish asked officials to measure the blade of Kovalchuk's stick. Referees Mark Faucette and Scott Zelkin deemed it illegal, giving the Oilers their third power play.
But Edmonton failed to convert on the man advantage and as Kovalchuk stepped out of the penalty box, he took a pass from fellow rookie Dany Heatley, split the defense, broke in alone and stuffed the puck between goaltender Jussi Markkanen's pads.
Jeff Odgers doubled the Thrashers' lead 55 seconds later when he one-timed Tony Hrkac's pass from the slot under Markkanen's blocker.
Defenseman Yannick Tremblay had the other goal and rookie Pasi Nurminen stopped 39 shots to win his first NHL start.
Dan Cleary and Mike Comrie tallied for Edmonton, which dropped one game below .500 on the road at 9-10-7-2.
