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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Peter Forsberg's scoring touch came back
for the Colorado Avalanche, but the Carolina Hurricanes didn't back
down.
Despite struggling in the first period and Forsberg breaking out
of a scoring slump with a goal and an assist, Carolina rallied for
a 2-2 tie with Colorado on Saturday night.
|  | | Jeff O'Neill scored both Carolina goals in the Hurricanes' comeback tie vs. the Avs on Saturday. |
Jeff O'Neill had two goals as the Hurricanes came back from a
first period in which they were outshot 17-3.
"Getting a tie is important because we have been struggling
against the best teams," Hurricanes goaltender Arturs Irbe said.
"Tonight, we showed that we have character and we can squeeze out
a little extra when we need to get the job done."
Forsberg had not scored a goal in 11 games and had just two
assists in his last five before scoring on a power play 5:34 into
the first period.
Ray Bourque set up on the left side, then whipped a pass in
front of the crease to a wide-open Forsberg. He one-timed it just
under the cross bar for his 13th this season.
"Open net, I don't care -- I'll take anything at this point,"
Forsberg said. "It's always nice when you haven't scored for a
long time."
Colorado was 10-0 this season when Forsberg scored a goal, but
had to stave off a 4-on-3 situation in the final 32 seconds to
extend its unbeaten streak to five. Avalanche rookie goalie David
Aebischer stopped three shots in the final 10 seconds to preserve
the tie.
Carolina was able to keep it close because of Irbe, who had 34
saves.
Irbe had 16 saves in the first, including two from point-blank
range in the first 10 minutes. He also stopped Forsberg's
wraparound shot with three minutes left in regulation, then hit
Forsberg's stick to send the rebound wide.
"Irbe obviously gave them a chance to win the game," Colorado
coach Bob Hartley said. "With the kind of goaltending Irbe gave
them, they should win their fair share of games."
O'Neill scored his first goal with 2:46 left in the first after
he stole a pass from Aaron Miller.
O'Neill missed on his first shot attempt when Chris Dingman
bumped him, but spun around for a backhander inside the left post
just as the puck slid under a falling Dingman.
O'Neill tied it 2-2 six minutes into the third, punching in a
deflection on a power play. Aebischer blocked David Tanabe's shot
from just inside the blue line, but the puck bounced off his pads
to O'Neill in front of the net.
"I got some fortunate breaks tonight," said O'Neill, who has
13 points in his last 12 games and 15 goals on the season. "They
weren't the prettiest goals, but we did get a point."
Shjon Podein gave Colorado a 2-1 lead with 7:15 left in the
second on a feed from Forsberg.
Forsberg skated free down the right side, crossed in front of
the net and fired back to a wide open Podein just outside the
crease.
Aebischer had 19 saves in his 10th career start. Patrick Roy,
unbeaten since Dec. 15, had the night off.
Game notes
Carolina's Ron Francis had an assist in the third period,
moving him within two points of tying Phil Esposito on the NHL's
career points list. Francis is sixth with 1,588 points. ...
Avalanche right wing Milan Hejduk came out after the first period
with a lower back strain and did not return. Coach Bob Hartley
listed him as doubtful for Sunday's game with the New York
Islanders. ... Colorado's Joe Sakic had his seven-game point streak
end. ... Colorado is 6-0-3 against Carolina since 1996.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Colorado Clubhouse
Carolina Clubhouse
RECAPS
New Jersey 5
NY Rangers 5
Colorado 2
Carolina 2
Phoenix 2
NY Islanders 1
Ottawa 4
Montreal 3
Atlanta 2
Philadelphia 2
Washington 3
Toronto 2
Dallas 4
Boston 0
Buffalo 2
Nashville 0
St. Louis 5
Minnesota 1
Los Angeles 5
Calgary 0
Vancouver 4
Columbus 3
San Jose 3
Florida 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 A great pass by Ray Bourque sets up Peter Forsberg for the power-play goal.
avi: 1130 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Jeff O'Neill steals the puck and takes it in, putting Carolina on the board in the first.
avi: 1100 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Peter Forsberg centers to Shjon Podein for Colorado's second goal of the game.
avi: 912 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Jeff O'Neill gets his second goal of the game on a rebound off of goalie David Aebischer.
avi: 956 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Goalie Arturs Irbe counters a great move by Joe Sakic with one of his own.
avi: 1390 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Peter Forsberg's great effort comes up a little short against Carolina's Arturs Irbe.
avi: 850 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Jeff O'Neill talks with the National Hockey Night crew after his 2-goal performance against Colorado.
wav: 789 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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