For the first time since the All-Star Break, the Colorado Avalanche have a lead after the first period of a game. Mired in a five game losing streak, and with the season hanging in the balance, Colorado needed a spark. Most were expecting the return of Peter Forsberg to provide that burst of energy (and he has), but it was forward Philippe Dupuis who provided the initial score.
Dupuis intercepted an errant pass at center ice, skated hard to the net, and beat Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Mathieu Garon stick side for a well-deserved goal.
Colorado was the better team in the first period, outshooting Columbus by a 12-6 margin and maintaining constant pressure on the Blue Jackets throughout. One period in, and the Peter Forsberg experiment appears to be going well.