Colorado Returns With Victory

Patrick Roy had 42 saves and Joe Sakic had two goals and an assist as the Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks, 3-1, Saturday night, taking the first game of the playoff series postponed because of the massacre at Columbine High School outside Denver.

Fifteen people died, including the two teenage gunmen, in the rampage at the Littleton, Colo., school Tuesday.

The first two games of the series were supposed to have been played Wednesday and Thursday nights in Denver. But, in response to the tragedy, the start of the series was postponed until Saturday night in San Jose.

The extended layoff after the regular season did not dampen the intensity on either side, but the Avalanche had the edge.

Former Shark Sandis Ozolinsh added a goal and an assist for Colorado, which finished in second place in the Western Conference behind Dallas.

The sellout crowd at San Jose Arena observed a moment of silence before the game in memory of the slain students. The Avalanche players wore uniform patches and the Sharks wore helmet stickers bearing the initials CHS--for Columbine High School.

After the second game Monday night, the series will move back to Denver for three games.

The Sharks avoided the shutout 14:05 into the third period with a power-play goal by Jeff Friesen.

Roy, who claimed his 400th career victory earlier this season, earned his 100th playoff victory.