Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Rookie center Matt Duchene scored both of Colorado's goals, including the game-winner late in the third period, as the Avalanche edged the Phoenix Coyotes, 2-1, at the Pepsi Center.
Duchene Scores Twice In Colorado’s 2-1 Victory Over Phoenix
Craig Anderson stopped 33-of-34 shots for the Avalanche, who finished a four- game homestand with a perfect mark.
Martin Hanzal scored the lone goal for the Coyotes, who had a two-game winning streak come to an end. Ilya Bryzgalov made 23 saves in defeat.
With the score deadlocked at 1-1, Duchene lit the lamp with 4:33 remaining in the third. Brett Clark's shot from the point was deflected by Duchene and got past Bryzgalov.
The Coyotes’ hopes of a comeback were ruined with two penalties in the final 1:42. Anderson made 12 saves in the third.
Colorado drew first blood at the 7:58 mark of the first period. As time expired on a 5-on-3 power play, Chris Stewart fired a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle that bounced off Bryzgalov. Duchene was positioned in front to jam home the rebound.
Hanzal's score at the 4:24 mark of the second tied things up. Shane Doan's shot from the right circle left a rebound in front for Hanzal, whose wrister beat Anderson.
The score remained 1-1 after two frames despite Phoenix outshooting the Avalanche, 12-3, in the middle stanza.
Notes: The Avalanche handed Phoenix a 4-1 defeat in Denver on November 4 in the only previous meeting between these teams this season. The Coyotes are still 6-2-2 in their last 10 encounters with Colorado and have prevailed in four of their seven most recent visits to the Pepsi Center...The Avs went 1-for-7 on the power play, while the Coyotes went 0-for-5 with the man advantage.
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