DENVER, April 4 (UPI) -- Dan Hinote and Rob Blake scored last-minute goals in boosting the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
The victory Monday gave the Avalanche two important points in the NHL Western Conference playoff race. Colorado is tied with Anaheim with 90 points for fifth place. San Jose and Los Angeles, tied for ninth place, are just five points back.
Chicago was up 3-2 when the Blackhawks' Michal Barinka was called for a cross-check with 2:03 to play. Blake was able to steer a shot through a mass of players in front of the Chicago net to tie the score at 3-3 with 19:03 left.
Hinto, 45 seconds later, bounced a shot off the pads of Chicago goalie Nikolai Khabibulin for the game-winner.
Blake had given the Avalanche the lead about 5 minutes into the game. His two goals gave him 200 for his career.
Chicago got goals from Patrick Sharp and Rene Bourque for a 2-1 lead. Colorado's Andrew Burnette tied the score in the second period and Chris Brown put the Blackhawks up 3-2 with 5:21 to play.
