Avalanche 5, Canes 4

Getty Images photo by Doug Pensinger The Carolina Hurricanes lost an early lead. They lost forward Tuomo Ruutu, who had a goal and assist, to a game misconduct. Finally, the Hurricanes lost another road game, dropping a 5-4 decision Friday to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Paul Stastny had two goals and an assist for the Avs, the surprise Western Conference leaders and one of the NHL's best feel-good stories of the early season. His 5-on-3 power-play score with 13:39 to play pushed Colorado ahead 5-3. But the Hurricanes, who led 2-0 early in the first period, didn't crumble. Ray Whitney, denied on a penalty shot early in the third, scored with 11:20 remaining to make it a one-goal game. The Avs scored two goals in 32 seconds in the first period to tie the score. They then added another two in a 40-second span of the second period to move two goals ahead before Matt Cullen scored for the Canes late in the period. Ruutu picked up a five-minute boarding ma...