Avalanche Bury Coyotes

Missing in action for much of this season, Peter Forsberg is back.

Forsberg, who missed 33 games during the regular season as well as the first playoff game because of injuries, scored the clinching goal as the Colorado Avalanche won their opening-round series, beating the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 Friday night.

Colorado wins the best-of-seven series 4-1 and advances to the Western Conference semifinals, against either Detroit or Dallas.

Forsberg's first goal of the playoffs was the series clincher.

Following a turnover by Phoenix's Juha Ylonen, Adam Foote took a shot from the left circle. Forsberg, stationed in front of the net, deflected it past goalie Sean Burke.

"Tonight, Forsberg was absolutely unbelievable," Coyotes coach Bob Francis said. "That was a pretty dominating performance. He's difficult to contain. He creates so much open ice for everyone else because you've got to be so concerned about him."

Avs defenseman Ray Bourque said Forsberg "was awesome tonight. All night long he really took over the game. If he's not the best in the world, he's right up there, top three."

Forsberg, who is his own worst critic, admitted he has een out of sync. "I haven't been skating that well," he said. "I just felt good tonight. I knew right from the first shift it was going to be a good game."

Burke had 29 saves, and Colorado's Patrick Roy had 19.

It was Colorado's seventh straight victory at the Pepsi Center, including its last four regular-season games. The Avalanche haven't lost here since March 20.

The Coyotes lost their 10th straight playoff series, including when the franchise was in Winnipeg. The franchise's last series win was in 1987, in the first round over Calgary.

Francis said his team "put it all on the table. It wasn't enough. We played a better team. It's hard to say anything to my players right now that will make them feel better. The end comes so quickly and with such suddenness."

Neither team scored in a ragged first period that saw Colorado outshoot Phoenix 11-4. Roy stopped Mikael Renberg on a breakaway after a turnover early in the period.

Phoenix's Jeremy Roenick made it 1-0 at 12:31 of the second period with his second goal of the series, beating Roy from the right point after stealing the puck at the Phoenix blue line.

Seconds after emerging from the penalty box, Ozolinsh tied it. He streaked down the right side on a 3-on-1, took Forsberg's pass and scored from the right circle at 18:25. It was Ozolinsh's third goal of the series and gave him points in all five games.

"I don't know how long Peter was on the ice, but that was a long shift," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said. "He found the energy to beat their defenseman to the puck, and what a great pass to Ozo. Peter played a great game."

Roy had several acrobatic saves in the third period, including stops of Jyrki Lumme and Roenick in the waning minutes.

"We knew we had to work hard after falling behind 3-0," Roenick said. "We played our hearts out against one heck of a hockey team. They have so much talent and are so deep."

The Avalanche have won nine of 12 playoff series since moving to Colorado in 1995, but this was only the third time they have clinched a series at home.

©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed