NHL: Minnesota 2, Colorado 0

DENVER, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Owen Nolan scored twice in the first period and the Minnesota Wild, behind goalie Niklas Backstrom, held off Colorado Sunday for a 2-0 victory.

Nolan's first goal was a tip-in on a power play with 12:37 remaining in the period. His second, on a rebound shot, came just over 3 minutes later.

Backstrom finished with 32 saves in his fourth shutout of the season.

Minnesota has won two of three games and ended a six-game losing streak on the road.

Peter Budaj stopped 35 shots in the Avalanche's third straight defeat.