Abby's Army was in full force.

The general responded by sending the troops home happy.

Playing in front of a small but vocal Swiss contingent, Colorado goalie David Aebischer made 38 saves as the Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Sunday night.

"Those Swiss people, they've got it going," said Colorado forward Peter Forsberg, a Swede. "It's good. Abby's always been great when they've been here, so maybe we should keep them around longer."

By his unofficial count, Aebischer never has lost when members of his fan club (davidaebischer.com) attend a game in which he starts.

They will celebrate Aebischer's latest triumph tonight when he and the group of about 25 meet for a Chinese dinner.

"It's great to have people here to come and see you," Aebischer said. "I'm fortunate to have such a great following in Switzerland."

From the starting lineups to the final horn, the Swiss fans created a unique atmosphere from Section 334 in the upper reaches of the Pepsi Center.

They distributed 2,000 miniature Swiss flags and occasionally unfurled a gigantic version that looked as though it had been to its share of soccer games.

Abby's Army chanted its hero's name, repeatedly sang a traditional Swiss song and cheered loudly each time Aebischer made a save, regardless of its degree of difficulty.

"In the third period, I could hear them pretty good," he said. "I'm used to that. In Europe, it's all the time like this. It's (5,000) or 10,000 people who scream and yell."

When he was introduced as the game's No. 2 star, Aebischer pointed toward the upper deck in acknowledgment of his supporters. The group also had attended Colorado's game in Detroit on Thursday, but he did not play.

"They just come here for like three or four games and hope I'm going to play one," Aebischer said. "So far, all the time they were (in Denver), I've played."

And won.

DRURY'S DREARY SEASON: Be it high school, college or the pros, never has Chris Drury hung up his hockey skates before the start of the playoffs.

Though the remarkable streak is in jeopardy as Drury toils for Calgary, he clings to hope like Homer Simpson clinging to the world's last doughnut.

"We're not out of it yet," Drury said before losing to his former Colorado teammates. "We've got 27 games left. We've got to win about 21 to give us a chance. I'm just trying to stay positive. It's not going to be easy."

Not only are the Flames in last place in the Northwest Division, but they also are at the bottom of the Western Conference and would have to leapfrog seven teams to secure the eighth playoff seed.

SAKIC EVALUATION: The Avalanche will learn more today about the status of injured captain Joe Sakic when doctors examine his broken right foot.

Sakic has not skated since being hit by a shot Jan. 20, and the foot remains in a protective walking boot.

The Avalanche has a 13-1-2-1 record in 17 games without Sakic, who missed nine games earlier this season because of a sprained ankle.

MORRIS READY: Colorado defenseman Derek Morris, did not play against Calgary but he will return Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.

Morris has missed seven consecutive games after surgery Jan. 28 to repair a cracked bone in his right eye.