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Sakic returns, but Avalanche lose to Oilers

Feb 25, 2008 - 4:38 AM EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) -- Rookie Andrew Cogliano and the Edmonton Oilers spoiled Joe Sakic's long-awaited return to the Colorado Avalanche.

Cogliano scored the game-winning tally midway through the third period as the Oilers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Colorado on Sunday.

Rookie Sam Gagner and Curtis Glencross also scored for Edmonton, which scored three unanswered goals to beat the Avalanche for the first time in five games this season.

"A lot of guys stepped up and played really great tonight," Gagner said. "A couple of huge blocked shots at the end, Matty (Mathieu Garon) played great again, so hopefully we can feed off of this win and continue it."

The setback upstaged the first appearance since November 30 for Sakic, who returned to practice Saturday after missing 38 games following hernia surgery in December. The Avalanche captain recorded an assist in 15:24 of ice time and also had one shot on goal.

The lengthy absence marked the most games Sakic has ever missed in his career.

"Actually it wasn't too bad," Sakic said. "A little rusty in the first period but I kind of expected that. But as the game went, I started to feel more and more comfortable."

It seemed like Sakic's return would be a success early on as the Avalanche opened the scoring 27 seconds into the contest.

Tyler Arnason tallied his eight goal of the year, stuffing a loose puck under Garon. Arnason now has three goals in the five games against the Oilers this season.

Colorado doubled its lead when Sakic's centering pass was deflected in by Ben Guite at the 12:53 mark of the first, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 lead.

The Oilers stormed back in the second period, scoring twice as Gagner tallied at the 4:38 mark and Glencross evened the score at 2-2, knocking home a backhanded feed across the crease from Kyle Brodziak with 8:55 left in the period.

"In the second period, we got away from it - we weren't good at all," Colorado coach Joel Quennville said. "We didn't generate anything, didn't have the puck at all and we turned it over in some tough areas. You can't play like that and that was the game. The second period was totally not us."

It was the second straight game with a goal for Glencross, who was acquired from Columbus for defenseman Dick Tarnstrom on February 1.

"We're starting to develop some chemistry with each other," Brodziak said. "(Glencross) is fast and likes to play physical and yet at the same time he can make plays and score some goals."

Edmonton then took the lead midway through the third period when Cogliano skated in down the right wing and beat Jose Theodore with a wrist shot low to the glove side. It was the rookie's first tally since January 22.

"I was originally thinking pass but I was on my backhand so it would have been a tough one," Cogliano said. "I switched from my backhand to the forehand and it opened up the far side. I do that shot a lot coming off the off-wing. I've been working on it."

Garon made the lead stand up, making 15 of his 27 saves in the third period for the Oilers, who have won four straight home games.

Theodore stopped 17 shots for Colorado, which is now just 1-5-1 in its last seven games.