Game Recap

COLORADO 2, DALLAS 0 DALLAS (AP) - The way Patrick Roy is playing, the Stanley Cup looks closer than ever for the Colorado Avalanche. First he has a score to settle with the Dallas Stars and goalie Ed Belfour. Fired up by Belfour's claims of supremacy and seeking payback for last year's conference finals, Roy made 13 of his 24 saves in the third period as Colorado beat Dallas 2-0 in the opener of the Western Conference finals Saturday night. Milan Hejduk scored on a power play midway through the second period and Aaron Miller added another goal in the period to end the Stars' eight-game home winning streak in the playoffs. "I see this club as focused as ever," Roy said. "Guys are sharp and we're doing whatever we need to be successful. The level of commitment is fantastic." The Avalanche won their third straight game without Ray Bourque, their sentimental leader and star of their power play and defense. His injured left leg might heal in time for him to play Game 2 Monday night, though with a 1-0 lead the Avalanche may choose to be cautious and hold him out until Friday's Game 3. "It's not 100 percent," Bourque said. "I'm skating well, but I have to get over the next hurdle. I don't want to go out there and get hurt." Belfour, who said months ago he was as good as Roy or better, allowed as many goals in this game as he did in the previous 10 periods at Reunion Arena. "I think we can play a lot better," said Belfour, who made 16 saves. "We didn't play hard from the start, and we can't do that against this team." This was the Stars' first shutout loss since Dec. 21 against Calgary. It was their first playoff shutout defeat in 34 games, dating to June 5, 1998, against Detroit. Most of their best scoring chances were in the first period. Dallas had four power plays, more than 10 minutes in the Colorado zone and even centered a pass to an open net while Roy was trapped against the end boards. But the Avs limited Dallas to seven first-period shots and four in the second. They peppered Roy with shots in the third, but by then he was locked in. "We had a couple of flurries in the third period, but they were thinking defense and winding the clock down," said Stars center Mike Modano, who took just three shots. The key for Colorado was using its speed to chase down every Dallas player near the puck, then pounding them. The Avalanche had 45 hits, including one by Adam Foote that sent Modano into the Colorado bench. The Avs also won 55 percent of the faceoffs. Colorado has won 10 of its last 12 on the road and has a streak of four straight wins in series openers played on the road. That includes Game 1 against Dallas in last year's conference finals, which the Stars won in seven games en route to the Stanley Cup. Roy had some rocky games in last year's conference finals, especially Game 6 when he couldn't hold a 1-0 lead in Denver with Colorado up 3-2 in the series. He's played much more solidly this entire postseason. This was his second shutout and the 14th of his playoff career, tying Jacques Plante for No. 2 in NHL history. Roy extended his own record by winning his 119th postseason game. Although Roy's wandering from the net almost hurt him early, it paid off later with two goalie interference penalties -- one of which led to Hejduk's goal with 11:09 left in the second period. Foote blasted a shot into Belfour's chest, and the rebound went to Dave Andreychuk in front of the crease. He nudged the puck to an uncovered Hejduk, who easily pushed it in for his third goal of the playoffs. "I had an open net," Hejduk said. Colorado, which improved to 7-0 when scoring first in the postseason, went up 2-0 with 2:28 left in the second period when Miller finished a great play started by Peter Forsberg. "I was all alone coming in and the puck came right to me," Miller said. Colorado Avalanche 2, DALLAS STARS 0 1ST 2ND 3RD FINAL --- --- --- ----- Colorado 0 2 0 2 Dallas 0 0 0 0 FIRST PERIOD - SCORING: None. PENALTIES: Klemm, Col (cross-checking), 4:16; Morrow, Dal (ob.-hooking), 5:27; Foote, Col (ob.-holding), 11:29; Andreychuk, Col (goalie interference), 17:02; Morrow, Dal (ob.-tripping), 17:24; Ozolinsh, Col (charging), 18:42. SECOND PERIOD - SCORING: 1, Colorado, Hedjuk 3 (Andreychuk, Foote), 8:51 (pp). 2, Colorado, Miller 1 (Forsberg, Deadmarsh), 17:32. PENALTIES: Gavey, Dal (goalie interference), 6:52; Forsberg, Col (slashing), 9:29. THIRD PERIOD - SCORING: None. PENALTIES: Nieuwendyk, Dal (holding), 1:28; Morrow, Dal (goalie interference), 10:03. SHOTS ON GOAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL --- --- --- ----- Colorado 6 10 2 18 Dallas 7 4 13 24 POWER PLAY: Colorado 1 of 4; Dallas 0 of 5. GOALIES: Colorado, Roy 9-2 (24 shots-24 saves). Dallas, Belfour 8-3 (18-16). Referees: Mark Faucette, Terry Gregson. Linesmen: Wayne Bonney, Jay Sharrers. A: 17,001 (17,001).