Phoenix 3, Columbus 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Daniel Briere, newcomer Andrei Nazarov and Shane Doan scored in the opening 16 1/2 minutes Saturday night and Robert Esche made 31 saves to carry the Phoenix Coyotes past the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2.

Briere's 18th goal and Nazarov's first since Jan. 24, 2001 both came as the result of bad bounces. But Doan's 11th of the season was the result of a defensive lapse as Columbus again found itself down after 20 minutes.

The Blue Jackets are 1-17-1-0 when trailing after one period.

Columbus got goals from Ray Whitney in the second and Kevin Dineen in the third but was unable to net the equalizer.

Ron Tugnutt made 21 saves for the Blue Jackets.