Blues Win Battle Of The Best

Having battled Colorado all season for bragging rights as the NHL's best team, the St. Louis Blues got a major jolt of confidence by proving they can, at last, win on Avalanche ice.

St. Louis had been winless in Colorado for eight straight games (0-6-2), and hadn't won here since Dec. 6, 1996.

Saturday night, Daniel Corso put a rebound past Patrick Roy with 4:10 left in overtime, lifting the Blues to a 4-3 win and handing the Avalanche their fourth straight loss.

Corso's shot from just right of the net deflected off Roy, enabling the Blues to tie Colorado for the league's best record. Both teams have 80 points.

"This was huge for us," Blues coach Joel Quenneville said. "For most of these guys, it's the first time they have won here. I didn't know if we were ever going to win here.

"We take this as a gigantic two points for us. Tonight is as good as it gets."

St. Louis goaltender Brent Johnson had 34 saves, and Roy had 28.

The Blues trailed before Craig Conroy made it 3-3 at 3:47 of the third period, scoring from the left circle on a 2-on-1.

Colorado had a goal taken away moments later when referee Don Van Massenhoven ruled Dan Hinote was in the crease nd interfering with Johnson.

"That's a totally blown call," Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said. "I don't know what their reason was, and I don't want to know. There is no reason in the rulebook. With the right call on the disallowed goal, we win this game."

Roy was disconsolate after the loss.

"I made the first save and then the guy (Corso) was right there for the rebound," Roy said. "I think it just slid under my pad and went in.

"I think I want to be too perfect. I think it's a matter of we had lost three in a row and putting extra pressure on myself to stop that streak. I think it's time for me to relax a little bit."

Pavol Demitra, the Blues' fourth-leading scorer, left the game late in the third period after suffering what was believed to be a deep cut on the back of his right knee from Alex Tanguay's skate. He was taken to a Denver hospital for treatment.

Tanguay scored the only goal of the first period. Jon Klemm's shot from the right point ricocheted in front, and Tanguay put the rebound past Johnson from the slot for his 21st goal.

St. Louis scored two goals just nine seconds apart early in the second period, but Colorado countered with two scores to take a 3-2 lead into the final period.

Scott Young got his 27th goal from just inside the right circle, at 7:26. Mayers then put a long shot past Roy from the right point at 7:35. It was the fastest that two goals ever against the Avalanche.

When the Blues' Darren Rumble and Todd Reirden both went off on penalties, Colorado had a 5-on-3 advantage for 20 seconds and Forsberg converted. Forsberg's shot from right of the goal deflected off Demitra's skate past Johnson.

Joe Sakic's 32nd goal, on a power play, made it 3-2 with 23 seconds left in the second period. Forsberg kept the puck alive behind the net and reversed direction back to Sakic, who scored from a tough angle left of the goal.

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