DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche didnt need a shootout to get off to their best start in franchise history. When they faced one, they were once again successful. Ryan OReilly scored the only goal in the shootout, Semyon Varlamov stopped 35 shots and the Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Saturday night. Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon had a goal apiece to help the Avalanche sweep the home-and-home series with the Wild. "It was a good couple games against Minny, they obviously play a pretty tough game," MacKinnon said. "Down low, theyre tough to defend. Its always nice to get on the board a little bit, but obviously getting two wins is huge for us." Colorado and the New York Rangers were the only teams to yet have a game decided in a shootout before Saturday. Despite their lack of experience, the Avalanche came out on top. "(I was) nervous, same as usually," Varlamov said. "Nobody, none of the goalies, nobody likes the shootouts." John Mitchell added two assists for Colorado, which won a rare penalty-free game. "I was a little bit (surprised) considering how much time was spent in the offensive zone," Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said regarding the lack of penalty calls. Mikko Koivu and Matt Cooke scored goals and Josh Harding stopped 23 shots for the Wild. Minnesota has dominated the Avalanche in Colorado since the 2007-08 season. The Wild came into Saturday with a 12-2-2 record since midway through that season, and they had won six of their past seven at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche looked as if they would win comfortably despite Minnesota carrying the play when Cooke spoiled the shutout bid with 3:27 left to make it 2-1. "I think we had five or six grade-A chances in the first period alone and sometimes thats frustrating," Cooke said. "But its up to us to just try to keep each other positive and the fact that were getting those scoring opportunities is a good thing. We just need to stay on it." Harding came off for an extra skater in the final minute, and Koivu beat Varlamov on a slap shot with six seconds left to send the game into overtime. "Nobody wants to give up a goal with 4 seconds left," Varlamov said. "The third period we sat back the last 10 minutes and they started to get more chances around the net and that is why we gave up two goals. It is what it is. We were able to get two points." Neither team could score in the extra period, sending the Avalanche to their first shootout of the season. Despite never having competed in an NHL shootout -- or coaching in one -- coach Patrick Roy didnt hesitate in picking his shooters. He chose the only players to score in one in the teams last practice. "It made it kind of easy," Roy said. Harding made saves on P.A. Parenteau and MacKinnon before OReilly broke through. Jason Pominville couldnt match the goal and Minnesota lost for the second straight night. "I just tried to open up my blade and try to look like I was going to shoot it and kind of put it through," OReilly said. For Minnesota, getting a point after trailing late was some consolation. "Thats a huge point for us. It was great the way we played the game," Yeo said. "We lost the skill competition at the end of the game, the shootout, whatever you want to call it. Bottom line I really believe we deserved the win in regulation." Coming off a tough loss to Colorado in St. Paul on Friday night, Minnesota was looking to get even but Saturdays game started like Fridays ended. Landeskog, who sealed Fridays 3-1 win with an empty-net goal, gave the Avalanche the early lead when his backhand from the side of the net deflected off Harding and into the goal 2:22 into the game. It was his ninth goal of the season. The Wild nearly tied it later in the first when Cookes backhand slipped under Varlamov and lay on the goal line for a moment and the goalie covered it up. It was reviewed and determined the puck never completely crossed the line. Minnesota had another great chance in the second period when Torrey Mitchell got ahead of the defence, took a pass from Cooke and had a breakaway on Varlamov. The goalie stopped the backhander to preserve the one-goal lead. "Some nights you get a hot goalie and we surely did that tonight," Koivu said. Colorado added to the lead later in the second when Marco Scandella turned it over in his own end. Mitchell got the puck to a wide-open MacKinnon, and the rookie beat Harding with a wrister at 12:56 of the period. It was his fifth goal of the season. NOTES: It was the second time in the Colorado/Quebec franchise history that the team played a penalty-free game. The other happened April 9, 2000, against Detroit. ... Mitchell reached 100 career points with his two assists. ... Wild LW Zach Parise played in his second straight game after missing one with a foot contusion. ... Avalanche C Paul Stastny returned after missing two games due to back spasms. Nike Air Max Flyknit Saldi . -- Canadian ski cross star Marielle Thompson accomplished two goals in one race Saturday. Air Max 720 Scontate . Off-Season Game Plan examines a team facing some challenging times as GM Bryan Murray tries to put together a roster for next season. Perhaps the first challenge facing Murray is that its expected he will be moving out Jason Spezza, a premier point producer who is about to enter the final year of his contract. http://www.outletairmaxitalia.it/scapre-air-max-270-outlet.html . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres. Air Max Italia Scarpe . Rodriguez, who has steadfastly denied using banned substances while with the New York Yankees, made the decision nearly four weeks after arbitrator Fredric Horowitz largely upheld the discipline issued last summer by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "I think its a good move for him," former Commissioner Fay Vincent said. Scarpe Air Max 97 Scontate . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said.The NHLs Mar. 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out todays trade-related reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TSN.ca through Deadline Day for all the updates. In a New York Minute TSNs Hockey Insiders were at work on Tuesday on Insider Trading, discussing the possibility of the New York Rangers dealing pending unrestricted free agents Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. "Its my understanding that if the Rangers do not sign Callahan and/or Girardi by the trade deadline, they are determined to trade one or both of them, whichever guy is not signed," said TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger added, "Im told that Rangers general manager Glen Sather has reached out to a number of general managers and he is gauging trade interest on Callahan, less so on Girardi." Eye on Miller McKenzie also discussed the ongoing interest in Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. "The Minnesota Wild hhavent made an offer, but theyre waiting to see what happens with Josh Hardings health situation," explained McKenzie.dddddddddddd "The St. Louis Blues might have some lukewarm interest. Right now, as far as Ryan Miller goes, I wouldnt say its frontburner, but theyre trying to trade him." Defensive Shuffle? The Ottawa Senators announced on Tuesday that Cody Ceci will remain with the club for the rest of the season. NBCSports.com speculates that several other of Ottawas defencemen could now become trade bait in exchange for a scoring winger to play alongside Jason Spezza. The report notes that Patrick Wiercioch, Eric Gryba, Joe Corvo, and Marc Methot have all been healthy scratches at different points this season. Bringing in Boyes? Fluto Shinzawa of The Boston Globe discussed the possibility of former Bruin Brad Boyes being moved by the Florida Panthers. Shinzawa says that with the Panthers being eight points out of a playoff spot and Boyes being a pending unrestricted free agent, the veteran will draw attention on the trade market. ' ' '