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Avalanche can take control of series with Wild

Apr 11, 2008 - 1:36 PM Colorado at Minnesota 9:00 pm EDT Western Conference quarterfinals Avalanche lead 1-0

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - The Colorado Avalanche look to take a two-games-to-none lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals when they visit the Minnesota Wild for Game Two on Friday.

Colorado held a 2-0 lead after two periods of Game One but saw Minnesota rally for two quick goals in the first 6:03 of the third.

But Joe Sakic tallied his 83rd career playoff goal at the 11:11 mark of overtime - his NHL-record eighth in extra time - to give the Avalanche the first game of what should be a very competitive series.

"This is not going to be an easy series, so it's nice to get a win out of here," Sakic said. "It doesn't matter where you play, home or on the road, it's going to be a tough series."

The Wild, who went 5-2-1 against the Avalanche in the regular season, are hoping to even things up at home as they look for their first playoff series win since 2002-03.

Mikko Koivu and Todd Fedoruk tallied for Minnesota, which outshot Colorado, 30-22, in the contest.

Goaltender Niklas Backstrom made 19 saves and allowed three goals after giving up just four during Minnesota's four-game winning streak that ended the regular season.