Ducks Destroy Avalanche, 7-2
03/25/09 - 10:09 PM
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(AP) — Corey Perry scored two goals, Andrew Ebbett had a goal and two assists and the Anaheim Ducks tightened their hold on a playoff spot with a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

James Wisniewski tied a career high with three assists to help the Ducks win their season-high fifth straight game and move into seventh place in the Western Conference playoff race, a point ahead of idle Edmonton.

Erik Christensen, Teemu Selanne, Rob Niedermayer and Petteri Nokelainen also scored, and Jonas Hiller made 34 saves. Milan Hejduk and Cody McLeod scored for Colorado, which has lost five straight for the third time this season.

The Avalanche, last in the Western Conference, had their second straight blowout loss at home. Edmonton beat Colorado 8-1 last week.

Anaheim, which needed two shootouts and overtime to earn three of its last four wins, wasted no time taking control. Christensen skated easily into the Avalanche end, flipped a wrist shot off the post on the short side 2:11 into the game.

Selanne made it 2-0 with 4:21 left in the first. The former Avalanche player grabbed the puck behind Colorado’s net, skated to the top of the zone and sent a wrister past Peter Budaj for his 23rd goal of the season.

Perry chased Budaj with his 25th goal with 36 seconds left in the first. Andrew Raycroft took over for the second period, but didn’t fare well. He gave up four goals on eight shots, including Perry’s second 2:46 into the frame. Budaj, who finished with 18 saves, was back in goal in the third.

The Avalanche spoiled Hiller’s shutout bid when Hejduk scored his 26th goal to make it 6-1 halfway through the second. Nokelainen got the goal back 1:54 later.

McLeod made it 7-2 with his 15th goal of the season at 8:32 of the third period.

Notes:@ Colorado D Ruslan sustained a knee injury 5:39 into the game and did not return. Salei was upended when he collided with Anaheim forward Bobby Ryan. ... NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attended the game. ... The Ducks have scored nine power-play goals during their winning streak. ... The Avalanche announced that C Paul Stastny will miss 2-4 weeks because of a broken foot.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 

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