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Wild, Avalanche look to gain control of series

Apr 14, 2008 - 1:11 PM Minnesota at Colorado 10:00 pm EDT Western Conference quarterfinals Series tied, 1-1

DENVER (Ticker) - After splitting a pair of overtime games, the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche each look to take the series lead when the teams meet in Game Three on Monday.

Joe Sakic scored the game-winner in the first contest for Colorado before Keith Carney tallied at the 1:14 mark of the extra period in Game Two, evening the series for Minnesota on Friday.

Milan Hejduk had tied the score at 2-2 for Colorado with just 44 seconds to play after Mikko Koivu gave Minnesota a lead with 1:51 left in regulation of Friday's contest.

Each game has been decided by a 3-2 score with neither team able to establish control early in the series.

"We thought every game was going to be close," Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said. "You can't get much closer than the first two. They certainly got a big break at the end. It was an exciting finish again."

Another close game is expected after seven of the eight games between the two teams in the regular season were also decided by two goals or less.

The Avalanche, who have won three of the four home meetings with the Wild this season, have allowed all five Minnesota goals after the second period so far in the series.