National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 3, Colorado 2
When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Steve Kozari
Linesmen: Andy McElman, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 16291

Carson McMillan snapped a tie at 7:44 of the third period and the Minnesota Wild went on to end their 11-game road losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Defenseman Justin Falk and Dany Heatley also scored, Kyle Brodziak added two assists and Niklas Backstrom made 24 saves for Minnesota, which improved to 9-1-2 in its last 12 games in Colorado.

McMillan stole the puck from Avalanche defenseman Shane O'Brien in the neutral zone and raced in on a breakaway. Following a deke, the 23-year old slid the puck between the pads of Jean-Sebastien Giguere for his second career goal and first this season.

After TJ Galiardi gave Colorado a 1-0 lead 4 1/2 minutes into the game, Falk and Heatley scored in the latter half of the first period to put Minnesota ahead. Falk's goal, which came on the power play, was his first in 54 NHL contests.

Chuck Kobasew, who spent the previous 1 1/2 seasons with the Wild, forged a 2-2 tie early in the second when he beat Backstrom with a wrist shot for his seventh goal.

Giguere stopped 31 shots for Colorado, which had won 10 of 12 at home.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Colorado
Kyle Brodziak 2 Points T.J. Galiardi 1
Justin Falk 1 Goals T.J. Galiardi 1
Kyle Brodziak 2 Assists Milan Hejduk 1
Justin Falk 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Niklas Backstrom .923 Save Percentage Jean-Sebastien Giguere .912
Niklas Backstrom 24 Saves Jean-Sebastien Giguere 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 34 3 1-4 2-2 11 31
Colorado 26 2 0-2 3-4 15 32
Upcoming Games
  • Colorado will play their next game on the road against Edmonton. The Avalanche have a W/L % of .519 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against Nashville. The Wild have a W/L % of .652 after a win and .346 after a loss.