NEW JERSEY VS. PITTSBURGH COLORADO VS. ST. LOUIS

Saturday, May 12 Sakic nets winner in spectacular fashion Associated Press DENVER – With each powerful stride, the decibel level seemed to rise as Joe Sakic moved in on goalie Roman Turek. With one flick of the wrist, it was over. After being awarded the first postseason penalty shot in franchise history, Sakic made it a memorable one, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal in the Colorado Avalanche's 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Avs captain Joe Sakic, left, beat the Blues' Roman Turek to remain perfect in penalty shot attempts (4-for-4). "You just want to make sure you try and score and not embarrass yourself out there," Sakic said. "It's just you and the goalie, so you don't want to fumble the puck, that's for sure." Known for one of the NHL's most lethal wrist shots, Sakic reduced Turek to a Roman pillar after what appeared to be a spectacular stick save by the St. Louis goalie. Instead of preserving a 1-1 tie, Turek was whistled for illegally throwing his stick at the puck, a violation of Rule 88 (a), at 6:45 of the second period. "I don't know the rules about this," Turek said. "I can say absolutely nothing because I don't know what the rules are on this." As referee Don Koharski explained his call to the Blues, Colorado coach Bob Hartley sent Milan Hejduk out to talk to Sakic. Hejduk and Turek both are from the Czech Republic, but the chat was anything but a scouting report. "Bob sent him to just tell me to take my time just in case I was tired," Sakic said. Showing no sign of fatigue or a bad shoulder that sidelined him for two games in the conference semifinals, Sakic skated in on Turek and without hesitation bounced the puck in off the right post. "That was a pretty good shot, off the post," Turek said. "Sakic is a very good player. Sakic didn't seem like his shoulder was bothering him." The goal was a turning point in the game as Colorado regained the lead less than seven minutes after allowing a short-handed goal. "That was just huge," Avs defenseman Ray Bourque said. "That gave us a big shot and got us going again." Unlike in soccer, penalty shots usually favor the goalie in hockey. Of the NHL's 38 previous postseason penalty shots, 12 were successful, and goalies stopped 23 of 32 during the regular season this year. Sakic is an exception, converting penalty shots the way Rick Barry used to covert free throws. After scoring Saturday, he is 4-for-4 for his career. "I have no idea why they (goalies) would have an advantage," Sakic said. "As a shooter, you just want to wait it out and see what's open and take the shot." Regardless of the outcome, the penalty shot is arguably one of the most exciting plays in sports as the shooter gathers the puck near center ice and moves in on the goalie with 18,000 people awaiting the outcome. "You get a little nervous, but I get nervous on a breakaway as well," Sakic said. "You just make the best of it." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

ALSO SEE Avs strong without Forsberg, rip Blues in opener AUDIO/VIDEO  ESPN's Brain Engblom catches up with Joe Sakic after his 4-point game against the Blues. wav: 455 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6