STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- The Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche honored the victims of terrorist attacks in the United States, pausing for three minutes at noon local time in Stockholm's Globe Arena during practice on Friday.

The open practice was canceled earlier, but the Avalanche held a closed workout and reduced it by an hour, the Swedish news agency TT said. More than 4,000 tickets had been sold to the open practice at Globe Arena.

Organizers said Colorado will play the Swedish Elite League team Brynas as scheduled Sunday.

The first game in the series, scheduled for Saturday against Swedish champion Djurgarden, was canceled Thursday following attacks on New York and Washington.

The NHL called off all 23 preseason games scheduled this weekend, but then granted permission for the Avalanche to play Sunday after the Swedish government asked that that the game go on, league spokesman Frank Brown said.

The regular NHL preseason schedule will begin Monday.

Peter Forsberg, the only Swede on the Avalanche, said it was appropriate to cancel Saturday's game.

"A lot of people will be disappointed in Sweden, but it was right to do it," said.

Forsberg returned to the ice three weeks ago in Sweden, skating for the first time since his spleen was removed May 10. He missed most of Colorado's playoff games leading to its NHL title.

Many of Djurgarden's players also thought it was a correct decision.

"It's a pity that we won't play Colorado, but I can understand it," Mikael Johansson said. "All players are disappointed, but what is hockey compared to what has happened? It's nothing."

All 14,000 tickets for Saturday's game as well as the 4,000 tickets to Friday's open practice will be refunded.

The Avalanche's 20 North American players arrived in the Swedish capital Monday to open training camp. The team's five Europeans already were in Stockholm.

Colorado's game against Jokerit of Helsinki in Finland on Tuesday will also be played as planned.