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Late burst helps Oilers top Avalanche

Feb 3, 2007 - 10:53 PM DENVER (Ticker) -- With both teams sleepwalking through the first 52 minutes, the Edmonton Oilers arose from their slumber.

Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff scored 30 seconds apart in the latter half of the third period and the Oilers held on to post a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Playing in the afternoon apparently took its toll on both offenses as they combined for just two goals on 42 shots over the first two periods. But Edmonton came alive for a brief spurt in the third, and it proved to be enough to halt a three-game losing streak against Colorado.

After the puck bounced off Raffi Torres' chest and was frozen by Peter Budaj with less than 7 1/2 minutes to go in the session, Horcoff won a faceoff in the right circle. Defenseman Matt Greene unleashed a one-timer from the right point, and Smyth deflected it past the goaltender while in front at 12:49 to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead.

The tally was Smyth's 27th of the season and fourth in as many games.

Appearing in his 400th career game, Horcoff doubled the advantage moments later, receiving a pass from behind the net by Smyth and beating Budaj from the doorstep with 6:41 remaining.

Captain Joe Sakic halved the deficit with 31 seconds to go, but the Oilers held on to even the season series at three wins apiece.

Ales Hemsky had a goal and an assist and Dwayne Roloson made 37 saves for Edmonton, which has won three of its last four.

Brad Richardson tallied and Budaj stopped 25 shots for the Avalanche, who have dropped four of five and fell to 1-2-0 on their five-game homestand.