Avalanche Eliminates Blackhawks Nhl

It was overtime. Again. And though they let the Chicago Blackhawks tie them late in regulation, the Colorado Avalanche were sure they were going to win.

Their confidence was rewarded - as was their relentless determination. The Avalanche advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in 11 years by winning 4-3 Monday night on Sandis Ozolinsh’s goal 5:18 into the second OT.

“We let them tie it and we didn’t like it, but we knew we had to keep working hard and stay positive,” said Patrick Roy, who made 31 saves in a tremendous goaltending duel with Ed Belfour. “We had to come back in the room and realize it was right there for us. One goal and we win. We had to like our chances.”

On the winner, Valeri Kamensky centered the puck to Ozolinsh, whose shot hit the crossbar. But Ozolinsh followed the puck and put the rebound behind Belfour.

Joe Sakic scored his NHL playoff-high 13th goal at 1:29 of the third period and Kamensky scored his second goal of the game 5:33 later as Colorado took a 3-2 lead. But Chicago tied it with 59.2 seconds left in regulation, Joe Murphy scoring on Jeremy Roenick’s centering pass after the Blackhawks pulled Belfour for a sixth attacker.

Avalanche 4, Blackhawks 3 (2OT)

Colorado1 0 2 0 1 - 4 Chicago1 1 1 0 0 - 3

First Period-1, Colorado, Kamensky 8 (Ozolinsh, Lemieux), 4:55. 2, Chicago, Savard 1, 12:10.

Second Period-3, Chicago, Nicholls 2 (Roenick, Daze), 19:36.

Third Period-4, Colorado, Sakic 13 (Young, Krupp), 1:29 (pp). 5, Colorado, Kamensky 9 (Lemieux), 7:02. 6, Chicago, Murphy 6 (Nicholls, Roenick), 19:00.

First Overtime-None.

Second Overtime-7, Colorado, Ozolinsh 3 (Kamensky, Sakic), 5:18.

Shots on goal-Colorado 9-9-10-12-5-45. Chicago 10-7-8-7-2-34.Power-play opp.-Colorado 1 of 3; Chicago 0 of 4.Goalies-Colorado, Roy 8-4 (34 shots-31 saves). Chicago, Belfour 6-3 (45-41).A-21,356 (20,500).