Showdown in the Northwest
Sports Network
12/29/2003
(Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche try to gain some ground in the Northwest Division standings when they welcome the first-place Vancouver Canucks to the Pepsi Center.
Vancouver has 46 points and leads Calgary by three for the top spot in the division. The Avs' 42 points puts them in third place -- an unfamiliar position for a club that has won nine consecutive division crowns.
Milan Hejduk scored less than two minutes into overtime, as the Avalanche edged the visiting Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, on Saturday. Reigning Hart Trophy winner Peter Forsberg made his return to the ice after missing the previous 19 games because of an abdominal injury.
Rob Blake scored with 1:17 left in the third period to send the game into the extra session and Teemu Selanne also scored for the Avalanche, who snapped a six-game winless streak (0-2-4).
Joe Sakic posted two assists for Colorado, which improved to 10-6-2 at home. Colorado goaltender Philippe Sauve stopped 20-of-22 shots in the win.
The Avs will play in Calgary on New Year's eve.
Vancouver was pummeled its last time out, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Edmonton Oilers at GM Place on Saturday night. Ryan Smyth finished with a goal and an assist to lead Edmonton to the victory.
Brad May and Daniel Sedin both posted goals for the Canucks, who had a three- game overall unbeaten streak snapped (2-0-1) and five-game home tear (2-0-3) halted. Alex Auld made 20 saves.
Trevor Linden and Henrik Sedin each notched an assist for the Canucks, who suffered just their second loss in 10 games (5-2-3).
These Avs and Canucks have met once this season, skating to a 1-1 tie in Vancouver on December 11.
The Canucks are 3-1-1 in the last five matchups, but have just three wins in their previous 12 trips to Colorado (3-8-1).
Cheers,
Aquaman