for this game
Hejduk nets a pair as Avs top Ducks
Jan 1, 2012 - 4:38 AMKyle Quincey and Chuck Kobasew both scored in the second period for the Avalanche, who have won seven of their last eight games.
"They were quicker than us and they checked really well," Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said about Colorado.
Giguere, who backstopped the Ducks to the 2007 Stanley Cup, made his first start in Anaheim since being traded to Toronto on January 31, 2010.
"I've got many memories here. I was a little nervous," said Giguere. "It's been two years. but at the same time it was exciting. The most important thing is we got two points."
Colorado played its first game without young forward Matt Duchene, who will be out at least a month with a knee injury.
Jonas Hiller surrendered four goals on 26 shots for Anaheim, which has dropped six of seven.
Hejduk opened the scoring 6:35 into the contest, taking a feed from Ryan O'Reilly and firing a shot through the pads of Hiller.
The Avalanche stretched their lead to 3-0 on tallies by Quincey and Kobasew 1:16 apart.
Lubomir Visnovsky put Anaheim on the board with 7:34 to play in the second period, but Hejduk pumped home his second goal at 1:49 of the third. With Colorado on a power play, O'Reilly faked a slap shot in the slot and dished to the Avalanche captain for a one-timer.
Bobby Ryan beat Giguere with 7:22 to play to account for the final score.
Game Notes
The Ducks had won six straight and 11 of the last 12 meetings against the Avalanche...Kobasew registered his 100th career goal...Colorado forward David Jones returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a groin injury.
- COLORADO: 4
ANAHEIM: 2
Final
Dec 31 10:30 PM - Anaheim Goal - Bobby Ryan (13), from Saku Koivu and Cam Fowler at 12:38.
Avalanche 4, Ducks 2 3rd - 7:22Dec 31 10:16 PM - Andrew Cogliano wrist shot on Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
Avalanche 4, Ducks 1 3rd - 15:44Dec 31 10:02 PM - Colorado Power-Play Goal - Milan Hejduk (11), at 1:49.
Avalanche 4, Ducks 1 3rd - 18:11Dec 31 9:56 PM - COLORADO: 3
ANAHEIM: 1
End of 2nd
Dec 31 9:36 PM - Anaheim Goal - Lubomir Visnovsky (4), from Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu at 12:26.
Avalanche 3, Ducks 1 2nd - 7:34Dec 31 9:24 PM - COLORADO: 1
ANAHEIM: 0
End of 1st
Dec 31 8:43 PM - COLORADO: 0
ANAHEIM: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Dec 31 8:08 PM
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