DENVER, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Patrick Roy came within 1.2 seconds of his first shutout of the season Thursday night as the Colorado Avalanche held on for a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the coaching debut of Tony Granato.
Granato was promoted Wednesday after General Manager Pierre Lacroix fired coach Bob Hartley. With just two months' experience as an assistant coach, Granato took the reins without Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, who are out with ankle and neck injuries.
But Roy made Granato's debut a successful one. The Colorado goaltender stopped 31 shots and nearly recorded his 62nd career shutout. After making 14 saves in the third period, he was beaten by Mike York's slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle.
Roy settled for his 32nd career victory over Edmonton, tops against any opponent.
Alex Tanguay and Dean McAmmond scored for Colorado, which avenged a 4-3 overtime loss at Edmonton on Friday and is unbeaten in its last three games (2
1).
