Sedin scores 3 goals, Canucks snap 3-game skid with 8-2 win over Avs

By PAT GRAHAM , Associated Press

Last update: November 15, 2009 - 12:05 AM

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DENVER - Henrik Sedin had his first NHL hat trick and Roberto Luongo stopped 32 shots, helping the Vancouver Canucks snap a three-game skid with an 8-2 rout of the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.

Steve Bernier netted two goals and Mathieu Schneider, Jannik Hansen, and Tanner Glass also scored as the Canucks wrapped up a five-game road swing (2-3).

Marek Svatos broke up Luongo's shutout bid early in the third period when he knocked in a rebound for a power-play goal.

Luongo made his third appearance since coming back from a broken rib that sidelined him for about two weeks. He wasn't tested much until the third period when Colorado turned up the pressure.

Matt Hendricks added a goal for Colorado, which lost for the second straight time at home after winning six in a row.

Craig Anderson was replaced by Peter Budaj to start the third period after he allowed four goals on 22 shots. Budaj fared even worse, allowing four more on eight shots.

The Avalanche briefly climbed back into the game after Hendricks' goal cut the lead to 4-2. Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly ended by Bernier's goal.

Sedin, Bernier and Glass scored in about a 7-minute window. Sedin's third goal of the game came on a power play and gave him his first hat trick in his 667th game.

The Avalanche unveiled a new look Saturday, donning royal blue sweaters. It was a departure from their predominantly burgundy outfits.

They needed to try something new.

Since a sizzling 10-1-2 start, the Avalanche have struggled. They are 2-4-1 over their last seven games.

Sedin sparked Vancouver early as he scored two of the team's three goals in the opening period. He poked in a puck that had trickled behind Anderson 1:57 in.

Later, Sedin lofted a shot over a sprawled-out Anderson on a goal made possible by the hustle and thievery of Mason Raymond.

Just out of the penalty box, Raymond flew after a puck deep in the Avalanche zone. He stole it off the stick of a surprised Anderson, then hit Sedin with a pass in front. Anderson couldn't scramble back in time as Sedin scored his 11th goal.

Hansen scored midway through the first period when Glass found him wide open in front.

Colorado's Tom Preissing made his season debut as he returned from a right knee injury. The defenseman missed the entire preseason after having a scope done on the knee. He recently completed a two-game conditioning assignment with Lake Erie of the AHL.

The 30-year-old Preissing was acquired, along with defenseman Kyle Quincey, in a deal that sent Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings in July.

NOTES: Sedin's twin brother, Daniel, missed his 17th game with a fractured foot. ... Avalanche F Milan Hejduk returned to the lineup after missing two games because of an aching back. ... Avalanche F Cody McLeod took a puck to the lip in the second period, but was back for his next shift. He missed six games after taking a stick to the eye earlier this season.

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