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BOX SCORE
DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche waited a long time to
snatch a victory away from the Nashville Predators.
Peter Forsberg continued his quick start with a power-play goal
in overtime as the Avalanche extended its unbeaten streak to nine
games Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory over the Predators.
|  | | Peter Forsberg scored his eighth goal in five games Wednesday. |
Chris Drury tied it in the final two minutes for the Avalanche.
"It's good to see Peter getting rewarded," Colorado coach Bob
Hartley said. "His line is making things happen and putting a lot
of pucks at the net."
Forsberg extended his goal-scoring streak to five games with his
eighth goal over that stretch. Forsberg, who darted past reporters
without offering any comments, also has six assists in his last
seven games.
With Kimmo Timonen in the penalty box, Ray Bourque took a slap
shot from the slot that Forsberg deflected past Mike Dunham with
1:02 left in the extra period. It was Bourque's second assist of
the night and his 1,529th career point, moving him past Boston's
Paul Coffey for first place among defensemen.
"Everything I accomplished I never really thought I'd get
there," Bourque said. "You never really get satisfied. You never
sit on your laurels."
Chris Drury got a tying goal with an end-to-end rush with 1:52
left in regulation. Drury skated from his own zone past three
Predators and around defenseman Robert Lintner. With Lintner draped
on him, Drury muscled a shot past Nashville goalie Mike Dunham.
"I was in position for Bourque's shot, but Forsberg was
standing right there," Dunham said of Forsberg's goal. "The puck
hit the shaft of his stick."
Patrick Roy stopped 19 shots as the Avalanche extended their
unbeaten streak to nine games (7-0-2).
Greg Johnson gave the Predators a 1-0 lead when he found an open
net at 15:02 of the third period for his first goal of the season.
Johnson scored after Bill Houlder's shot was deflected right to
Johnson.
"Dunham was the difference for us," Nashville coach Barry
Trotz said. "He helped us steal a point after we gave one away
Tuesday night."
One day after giving up four third-period goals in a tie with
Vancouver, Dunham stopped 40 shots. The Predators are 2-2-2 in
their last six games.
Colorado had its chances in a scoreless first period. Durham
stopped Alex Tanguay from point blank early on and got his glove up
at the last instant to keep a rebound attempt by Joe Sakic from
crossing the goal line.
Roy faced two fewer shots, but nearly was beaten by a shot he
never saw. Timonen flipped a wrist shot from the right circle that
hit Roy in the chest.
The Avalanche stepped up the pressure in the second period,
outshooting Nashville 19-2. The Predators were preoccupied having
to kill off three power plays.
Dunham was up to the task, turning aside Milan Hejduk's wrist
shot in the opening minutes and then making successive saves on
Tanguay in the final minute. Tanguay's attempts came on a breakaway
attempt, first swiping the shot into the corner and then with his
stick after Tanguay skated down the loose puck.
Before the goals by Drury and Johnson, the Predators had the
best chance in the third period. With Adam Deadmarsh off for
interference, Patric Kjelberg came in alone but had his backhander
blocked by Roy in front of the crease.
"I didn't do much except let the puck hit me," Dunham said.
"Drury flicked the puck past me when I tried to poke it away and
missed it."
Game notes
Predators defenseman Craig Millar was claimed off waivers by
Tampa Bay. ... Nashville filled Millar's roster spot by recalling
defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick was recalled from Milwaukee.
Fitzpatrick will join the team Thursday in Nashville. ... Bourque
played in his 1,541st game, moving past John Bucyk for fourth place
on the career list. ... Colorado managed seven shots while failing
to convert three second-period power plays. ... Adam Foote has a
career-best four-game point streak. ... Colorado has recorded a
power-play goal in each of the last seven games.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Nashville Clubhouse
Colorado Clubhouse
RECAPS
Buffalo 4
Carolina 1
San Jose 3
Columbus 1
Detroit 5
Tampa Bay 1
New Jersey 2
Florida 1
Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 2
Toronto 6
Minnesota 1
Vancouver 6
Dallas 2
Colorado 2
Nashville 1
Atlanta 3
Edmonton 1
Los Angeles 6
Anaheim 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Peter Forsberg scores the overtime goal.
avi: 556 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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