By JEFF BARTL
STATS Writer
The Phoenix Coyotes and Calgary Flames failed to capitalize on good opportunities to win during their recent losing streaks.
Neither team had that problem in their last contest.
Phoenix hosts Calgary on Friday night looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Coyotes ended a three-game skid Wednesday in Chicago, getting goals from Kyle Turris and Eric Belanger 35 seconds apart in the second period to beat the Blackhawks 2-1. Both goals came off Chicago turnovers, and Phoenix was able to convert on the ensuing 2-on-1 breaks.
"It was a bit of a shaky first, but we came out and really played hard in the second period," Turris said. "We've been losing lots of games in overtime, lots of close ones. It's really nice to win a close one."
The Coyotes (5-5-5) lost Saturday to Pittsburgh in a shootout and fell Monday to Detroit in overtime, going a combined 0 for 7 on the power play.
Getting his first start since Oct. 26, backup goaltender Jason LaBarbera made 35 saves for his first win in four appearances.
"He gave us a spark," coach Dave Tippett said. "We got a chance to throw him in there in a tough building he won in last year. It's great for him."
Turris' goal was his fourth of the season and first in six games. Belanger tied Ed Jovanovski for the team lead in points with nine.
Ilya Bryzgalov likely will start in net against the Flames, whom he's beaten four of the last six times.
Calgary's 4-2 win Tuesday in Colorado ended a four-game losing streak, all in regulation and three by one goal. The Flames had not lost four consecutive regulation games since dropping six straight from Jan. 13-25.
David Moss broke a 2-2 tie with 4:15 to play, knocking in a rebound for his first goal of the season. He also added an assist, recording his first points in three games after missing the first 11 with a shoulder injury.
"I'll take it," Moss said. "It's huge just to get back on the winning track."
Calgary, which scored first in all four losses during its skid, fell behind to start the game against the Avalanche but scored three times in the third period.
"You've lost four in a row and you're playing against a team in a tough building and you're in the mindset that you really have to dig in," coach Brent Sutter said. "Then you end up being down a goal in the last 11 minutes of the game and you stay with it."
Rene Bourque raised his team-leading point total to 12 with two assists and Curtis Glencross scored his fourth and fifth goals for the Flames (7-7-0).
Miikka Kiprusoff made 29 saves to avoid a fourth straight loss, improving his goals-against average to 2.59. Kiprusoff and backup Henrik Karlsson gave up a combined 17 goals during the losing streak.
"It's pretty nice to get the win," said Kiprusoff, who had a 1.48 GAA in four starts versus Phoenix last season. "It's a nice comeback for us."
Jarome Iginla was held without a goal for the fifth straight game and has scored only two in his last 25 dating to last season. Iginla hasn't scored in his last seven games against Phoenix.
The Coyotes and Flames split four meetings last season, each winning both at home.
