Game 7 recap

Star Tribune’s three stars

1. Nino Niederreiter, Wild: Scored two goals, including the overtime winner, and set up Jared Spurgeon’s tying goal to force OT.

2. P.A. Parenteau, Avalanche: Set up Colorado’s two third-period goals.

3. Jared Spurgeon, Wild: Game-tying goal on a patient play turned the momentum in the Wild’s favor.

Turning point

Wild starting goalie Darcy Kuemper left the game in the third period and his team behind 4-3. The Wild dominated the rest of the way, and backup Ilya Bryzgalov never faced a serious threat.

By the numbers

16 Career playoff goals and 60 points in 71 games for Dany Heatley.

10-13 Home team in Game 7s since 2003-04.

38 of 150 Game 7s went to overtime (home teams 19-19).

17 Consecutive Game 7s won by the team that scored the first goal, a streak that was broken in this game, as the Avs got the first goal.

MICHAEL RUSSO