NHL: Minnesota 5, Colorado 3

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ST. PAUL, Minn., March 14 (UPI) -- Two goals from Mikko Koivu and three assists by Ryan Suter Thursday launched Minnesota to a 5-3 decision over Colorado.

Minnesota won for the third time in four games, taking the lead for good on goals less than 2 minutes apart from Devin Setoguchi and Jonas Brodein in the second period.

Those scores gave the Wild a 3-1 lead, but they did not clinch the contest until Koivu tallied into an empty net with 34 seconds remaining. Koivu also scored in the second period to give Minnesota a 4-2 advantage.

Niklas Backstrom made 29 saves in the victory.

P.A. Parenteau scored twice for the Avalanche. Colorado has gone 0-5-3 in its last eight road contests. The Avalanche will host Minnesota in a rematch Saturday.