Avalanche Buries Rangers

When the Colorado Avalanche learned Peter Forsberg would be lost until mid-December following shoulder surgery, Adam Deadmarsh was the logical choice to fill the scoring void.

Deadmarsh showed he is capable of those expectations, extending his point streak to a career-high six games with two power-play goals Friday night in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Chris Dingman had an assist and his first goal of the year for Colorado.

"I don't know if it is all on me because no one player is going to fill Peter's spot," said Deadmarsh, who scored his fourth and fifth goals of the year. "Everyone on this team has the responsibility to try to fill in for Peter."

"We moved Deadmarsh back to wing where he plays the best," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said. "When he plays center, we take away from his game because he can't be as physical."

Theo Fleury, who spent the final 15 games with the Avalanche a year ago before signing with the Rangers, had his first goal in seven games. New York came into the game with the NHL's worst power play and was 0-for-4 with the man adantage.

"We need second efforts, we need third efforts and we need to win battles in the offensive end," New York coach John Muckler said. "We are not going to win until we score on a regular basis,"

Deadmarsh and Hejduk scored power-play goals in the first period after Fleury got a controversial goal for New York at 7:32 of the period. Fleury bowled over Roy in the crease and the goalie argued at length with referee Mick McGeough, who refused to review the play.

Deadmarsh tied the game at 11:51 off a rebound after Mike Richter had stopped Sandis Ozolinsh's shot from the left point. Hejduk converted a cross-ice pass at 14:15 for his 11th goal of the year.

"I was fortunate the puck came back and lay there in the crease," Deadmarsh said.

Deadmarsh beat Richter on the glove side at 3:58 of the second period and Dingman cashed in a kicked pass from Stephane Yelle at 12:07.

"We didn't come out very well in the second period and even when they got the third goal, we were still within striking distance," Richter said. "But then we sagged so much. Our confidence is so low right now."

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