ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Teemu Selane scored his first goal with Colorado Thursday night in helping carry the Avalanche past Minnesota, 5-2.
Rookie John-Michael Liles also produced his first career goal in what was a rematch of last season's Western Conference quarterfinals.
Selanne capped the scoring with 5 1/2 minutes remaining after Wild defenseman Willie Mitchell gave away the puck at the blue line.
The Avalanche took the lead for good at 2-1 when Peter Forsberg collected a rebound off his chest and pushed the puck in from just outside the crease 4:30 into the second period.
Liles scored 2:30 later off a pass from Bates Battaglia.
Last season, the Wild rallied from a three-games-to-one deficit to upset the Avalanche and went on to conference finals, where they were swept by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
