Drury’s Late Goal Deflects Avalanche’s Elimination

Frustrated by outshooting the Dallas Stars, 110-56, in the previous three games but having won only once, Colorado was desperate for a break.

Chris Drury provided it. Attempting to redirect Ray Bourque’s waist-high shot with his stick, Drury instead deflected the puck off his knee for the game-winner with 3:51 left in third period in Colorado’s 2-1 victory Thursday night.

The Avalanche, staving off elimination, tied the best-of-seven Western Conference finals at 3-3, with a decisive Game 7 set for Saturday night in Dallas.

Bourque assisted on Drury’s goal and scored Colorado’s other goal.

The Avalanche broke a 1-1 tie when Bourque took a long shot from along the left boards that sailed high toward the net. Drury, stationed in the slot, redirected it past goalie Ed Belfour.

“Ray made an unbelievable shot to get it through,” Drury said. “Initially I felt something. I think it might have hit my stick a little bit. It hit square on my knee and went right in.

“With all the shots we’ve been throwing at them, it’s certainly nice to get one like that, off the knee. I’ll definitely take it.”

Colorado Coach Bob Hartley said his team “finally got a lucky break. This could be the start of something.”

Patrick Roy had 26 saves, extending his NHL record for playoff victories to 121. Belfour made 19 saves.

Bourque’s goal early in the second period put the Avalanche ahead, but Brett Hull tied the score with a power-play goal later in the period. It was Hull’s ninth goal of the playoffs and fourth in the last three games.

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