Avalanche Beats Sharks to Advance

Rookie Milan Hejduk scored 13:12 into overtime on Monday night as the Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks, 3-2, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

Colorado won the series, 4-2.

Hejduk beat goaltender Mike Vernon from out in front of the crease, rebounding Joe Sakic’s shot.

In the overtime, the Avalanche killed off a four-minute penalty after Dale Hunter was sent off for high sticking at 1:55.

Jeff Friesen beat screened Colorado goalie Patrick Roy from just out in front of the crease with 11:51 gone in the third period to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead.

Roy, who had 27 saves, held up his hands in disbelief.

But the Sharks’ celebration was short-lived. Colorado defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, a former Shark, grabbed a loose puck and beat Vernon between the legs with 6:31 left in the third period.

The Sharks missed a chance in the last minute of the period when Roy turned away Jeff Norton’s shot as he was falling to the ice.

The Avalanche won the first two games in San Jose in a series that was delayed three days because of the shooting at Columbine High School in suburban Denver. The Sharks won the next two games in Denver to even the series, but the Avalanche finally won at home Saturday.