Avalanche Works Overtime to Defeat Hurricanes, 3-2

Rob Blake’s controversial goal helped end the Colorado Avalanche’s losing streak and added to the Carolina Hurricanes’ woes.

Blake tied the score with a goal late in the third period and Milan Hejduk scored 2:04 into overtime, and the Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory against the Hurricanes on Sunday at Raleigh, N.C.

Hejduk scored twice and assisted on Blake’s goal with 1:22 left to help the Avalanche end a three-game losing streak.

Jeff O’Neill’s goal on a breakaway early in the third period gave Carolina a 2-1 lead, but the Avalanche rallied in the final 90 seconds.

Kevin Weekes stopped a shot from Joe Sakic, but the Avalanche controlled the rebound. Peter Forsberg batted the puck into the crease, and Blake poked it past Weekes.

Weekes immediately protested to the officials, and video replays showed that Blake knocked the stick out of Weekes’ hand while battling with Sean Hill near the crease just before the goal.

“Hey, I got cross-checked on the play,” Blake said. “I was just trying to keep my balance and I hit [Weekes] on the way down. That’s what happens when you’re battling in front.”

It was another tough loss for the Hurricanes, who have lost 12 of 18 games.

Chicago 2, Nashville 0 -- Jocelyn Thibault made 17 saves and was only lightly tested at Chicago to record his league-leading sixth shutout.

He made one of his best stops when Adam Hall fired from the edge of the crease during a power play with three minutes left in the third period.

Eric Daze and Theo Fleury scored for the Blackhawks, who ended a four-game winless streak (0-0-2-2).