Tensions flare in Avalanche's rout of Wild

The Avalanche set a physical tone early in Saturday's meeting with the Wild, even before it began to pump the net with pucks en route to a 7-2 rout of the Wild at Pepsi Center.

But tensions really started to flare in the third period when action in both creases started to pick up.

After winger Jason Zucker collided with Colorado goalie Jonathan Bernier and was whistled for goalie interference, the Avalanche went on a power play and capitalized to make it 5-2.

Shortly after, center Alexander Kerfoot slid into Dubnyk and Dubnyk responded by tackling Kerfoot – stoking a multi-player scrum that saw Bernier skate to the red line before peeling back.

When the players were finally separated, Dubnyk was assessed four minutes' worth of roughing penalties and Kerfoot was tagged for goalie interference. On the ensuring power play, the Avalanche tacked on another – ending Dubnyk's night, as Alex Staock came on in relief.

"Just a couple frustrating plays," Dubnyk said. "I think you watch a soft call at the other end. Zucks is driving to the net, and he has no way to stop. The goalie barely gets touched, and they score the fifth goal.

"Start to get a little upset. Seems like the only way you can get a goalie interference call is to lie on your back, and I'm not about to do that in a 5-2 game. I just wish I knew they were somehow going to make us shorthanded there. I'm not sure how that worked, but it would have been nice to at least get my extra minutes' worth."

Overall, the Wild is 8-13-1 as the visitor.

"We gotta learn how to win on the road because that's ridiculous how we can play so good at home and completely opposite on the road," coach Bruce Boudreau said.

"Our division is tough," center Eric Staal said. "It's one of the toughest in the league. So every divisional game is very imperative. I think everybody knows that in both locker rooms when you're out there playing. We would have liked a better effort than we got tonight as far as our overall game goes. But it's a loss, and we gotta rebound. We'll be better at home against Calgary on Tuesday."

The Avalanche closed out the first half of its schedule with 47 points, one less than it amassed all of last season – immense improvement that has the club vying for a playoff spot.