Fabian Brunnstrom's breakaway goal at 7:53 of the second period stood up as the game-winner as the Dallas beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 Tuesday night hours after Stars forward Sean Avery was suspended by the NHL.
Marty Turco played one of his best games of the season, making 36 saves. It was just the third time this season and second since Oct. 20 that Turco held the opposition to fewer than two goals.
Toby Petersen also scored and Loui Eriksson added an empty-netter with 15 seconds left for Dallas, which climbed out of sole possession of last place in the Western Conference.
David Moss scored the lone goal for Calgary.
Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL for conduct "detrimental to the league or game of hockey" after the outspoken forward made disparaging comments about Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. The Flames defenseman is dating actress Elisha Cuthbert, Avery's former girlfriend.
After his latest antics, Avery -- the Stars' leader in penalty minutes -- was immediately sent home by the team. The result was a quiet night, with only five minor penalties called.
The 33-year-old Turco, making his 13th straight start, had yielded 15 goals on 100 shots in his previous four games.
Brunnstrom was sent in alone with a pass from Trevor Daley. His initial shot was stopped by Miikka Kiprusoff, but the Stars rookie reached across with one hand on his stick and got just enough of the rebound to swat the bouncing puck over the line.
Turco was at his best in the third period, making 15 saves.
The Flames had won five of six.
Dallas took a 1-0 lead at 6:14. Stephane Robidas had his shot kicked out by Kiprusoff, but the rebound into the slot landed right on the stick of Petersen who put it in the open side.
In a flurry of pressure created by a delayed penalty to the Stars, defenseman Adrian Aucoin had two great scoring chances. Flames captain Jarome Iginla set him up in front, only to have his shot from 10 feet out turned aside by Turco. Seconds later, Aucoin ended up with the puck in the low slot, but he missed.
The Flames broke through just after the subsequent power play, tying it at 1:44 of the second period.
Aucoin again initiated the play with a shot, and the rebound was jammed in by Moss just one second after the advantage expired.
Notes:@ The Flames killed all 19 power plays against them in the past seven games. ... With no extra forwards available, Avery's suspension forced Dallas to play seven defensemen. D Doug Jannik moved up to play on the fourth line. D Andrew Hutchinson saw his first action with the Stars since being acquired Sunday from Tampa Bay. ... Dallas has earned points in 17 of 21 games against Calgary. ... Iginla's point streak ended at six games (2 goals, 6 assists). LW Curtis Glencross was blanked for the first time in five games (3 goals, 4 assists).
