RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Brandon Sutter scored at 1:16 of overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.
Rookie Jeff Skinner scored his eighth goal of the season at 4:50 of the third period and Cam Ward made 34 saves to help the Hurricanes even their record at 11-11-3.
In the 4-on-4 overtime, Sutter darted in on the right side, beating goalie Craig Anderson to his right for his fifth goal of the season.
Milan Hejduk scored with 7:09 left in regulation for Colorado, which outshot Carolina 35-30. Hejduk's goal came on a wrister from the left faceoff circle that eluded Ward's glove hand. Rookie Kevin Shattenkirk picked up the lone assist on the tally, extending his point streak to eight games (4g/7a).
The teams were scoreless after the first two periods, but neither team lacked for scoring opportunities. In the first period, the Avalanche - averaging 3.5 goals a game - had 12 shots in the first 10 minutes to Carolina's one. From that point to the second intermission, the Hurricanes outshot the Avalanche 21-12, surviving three consecutive Colorado power plays to keep the visitors off the board.
Entering the game, the Hurricanes had killed 14-of-15 power plays.
The Avalanche drew consecutive penalties on Sutter and Jay Harrison in the second but couldn't convert. Just after the second penalty kill, defenseman Jamie McBain was whistled for high-sticking against Matt Duchene after a scramble near the net.
Colorado got more chances, but its shots or passes went awry, and the NHL's No. 8 team on the power play was 0-for-3 in a span of 6:12.
The Hurricanes seemed energized by the penalty kills, and they spent plenty of time in front of the Colorado net. But Anderson (28 saves) stood firm in goal, and the Hurricanes couldn't connect solidly on several rebound chances. Erik Cole had several opportunities - including a point-blank attempt that Anderson stopped with his left pad - and Patrick Dwyer misfired on a rebound of Jussi Jokinen's initial attempt.
Dwyer almost connected on a nifty backhand attempt early in the third. He took a pass from Sutter and, with his back to the net, flicked the puck toward Anderson, who wrapped it up for his 23rd save.
NOTES: Erik Cole played his 500th game for Carolina. Skinner's goal was just his second in the last 10 games after he had five goals in his previous seven games. ... Colorado's Duchene had his four-game goal streak end.
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