Sun Feb 24 22:54:23 2008

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Edmonton comeback bests Colorado

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Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Andrew Cogliano's third-period goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Colorado Avalanche, 3-2, at Rexall Place.

Sam Gagner scored a goal to extend his point streak to nine games, which is a club record for a rookie. Curtis Glencross also tallied and Mathieu Garon made 27 saves for the Oilers, who snapped a three-game skid.

Tyler Arnason and Ben Guite provided the offense for the Avalanche, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games. Jose Theodore allowed three goals on 20 shots in defeat.

Before the game, Colorado activated captain Joe Sakic from the injured reserve. The center underwent hernia surgery on December 28 and missed a total of 38 games due to the ailment. Sakic registered an assist in 15:24 of ice time.

The Oilers accounted for all the offense in the middle stanza, netting a pair of even-strength goals to tie the score at two.

Gagner buried a rebound at the 4:38 mark to put Edmonton on the board, and, off a nice backhand pass through the crease from Kyle Brodziak, Glencross lit the lamp with 8:55 remaining.

While on a odd-man rush, Cogliano raced down the right wing and snapped a wrister low to the glove side of Theodore to give the Oilers a 3-2 lead at 7:29 of the third.

In the final minute of regulation, Theodore was pulled in favor of an extra skater, but the Avalanche couldn't beat Garon.

It didn't take the Avalanche long to find the back of the net, as Arnason tallied his eighth goal of the season 27 seconds into the first period. Off a dump-in, Arnason collected a loose puck and proceeded to bang away at the side of the goal, eventually sliding the puck under the left pad of Garon.

Guite's tap-in goal made it 2-0 with 7:07 remaining in the frame.

Game Notes

Colorado had won the first four meetings of the season...Colorado's Wojtek Wolski celebrated his 22nd birthday...Guite played in the 100th game of his NHL career...Edmonton captain Ethan Moreau appeared in his 500th career Oilers game...Oilers coach Craig MacTavish earned the 250th win of his career...Gagner's scoring streak is the second longest by a rookie in the NHL this season, one behind Chicago's Jonathan Toews, who tallied five goals and five assists in 10 games between October 10-31.