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Colorado shuts out Minnesota

Mar 5, 2012 - 3:34 AM St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Semyon Varlamov turned aside 30 shots to record his fourth shutout of the season and eighth of his career as the Colorado Avalanche blanked the Minnesota Wild, 2-0, on Sunday at Xcel Energy Center.

Jamie McGinn supplied all the offensive for the Avs, scoring both goals, while Peter Mueller and Stefan Elliott each assisted on both tallies. Colorado snapped a two-game skid.

"After dropping two, we knew we needed these points tonight to stay in the hunt (for the final playoff spot)," McGinn said. "It'll be an interesting race down the stretch here. We definitely want to make the playoffs."

Matt Hackett was tagged for both goals on 36 shots for the Wild, who have lost four straight contests.

Colorado opened the scoring just 1:42 into the contest after Elliott misfired on a shot from the right point. Mueller grabbed the loose puck and ripped a quick turn-around shot on net that was stopped by Hackett, but McGinn was on the doorstep to punch it home.

The Avs struck again on the power play for the 2-0 lead at 8:25 of the opening period after Elliott, Mueller and McGinn hooked up again for the goal.

This time, Elliot sent a quick pass over to Mueller in the left circle. Mueller ripped a wrist shot on net that hit off bodies in front, and again, McGinn pounced on the rebound and put it past Hackett.

Varlamov stopped 11 shots in the first frame, 11 in the second, and eight in the third period to record the shutout for Colorado.

Minnesota failed on three power-play chances in defeat.

"It doesn't matter who you're playing, when your down two goals, it's definitely tough to come back," Wild defenseman Tom Gilbert said. "We moved the puck a lot better and had plenty of opportunities to score, but we just have to get that first one."

Game Notes

The Wild fell to 5-4-3 in its alternate third jersey this season...Minnesota also dropped to 4-1-1 in games played on Sunday...The Wild have allowed the first goal 41 times this season...Colorado went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.