With the regular season schedule winding down and the playoff race in the NHL's Western Conference as tight as ever, each game will have big implications for the Colorado Avalanche. Through a period against the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado looks like a team that is well aware of the stakes. The Avalanche lead 1-0 over the Ducks at the Pepsi Center.
Jamie McGinn scored the lone goal of the first period when he beat Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller to give the Avalanche a 1-0 lead halfway through the period. McGinn's 17th goal of the season was set-up by teammates Ryan O'Byrne and David Jones.
The first period featured solid action at each end. Anaheim out-shot Colorado 12-11. The Avs hold in advantage in faceoff wins (10-5); the Ducks are leading in hits (10-7).
There were no penalties in the first period.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Ducks blog Anaheim Calling.
