EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Ryan Smyth scored a controversial power-play goal with 7:28 remaining as the Edmonton Oilers rallied for their third straight win, 5-3 over the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night.
With Colorado defenseman Martin Skoula in the penalty box, Smyth had the puck in the right corner. He was able to skate out unchecked while teammate Mike Comrie held the stick of former Oilers defenseman Greg de Vries. Smyth cut to the net and swept the puck past goaltender Patrick Roy for his third goal of the season.
It came just 75 seconds after newcomer Jochen Hecht scored his first goal in an Edmonton uniform to forge a 3-3 tie.
The Avalanche pressed for the equalizer, but Oilers goalie Tommy Salo made a diving stop on defenseman Pascal Trepanier's shot. Edmonton counterattacked and Josh Green shoved his own rebound under Roy with 3:37 left for his first goal of the season.
Salo stopped 31 shots and Hecht and Smyth each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers.
Joe Sakic had a power-play goal and an assist for Colorado, which opened the season with wins over Pittsburgh and Vancouver.
