Hejduk Nets Pair As Avalanche Rip Coyotes

November 5, 2009 9:47 a.m. EST

Denver, CO (AHN) - Milan Hejduk netted his sixth goal of the season just 57 seconds in, and the Colorado Avalanche scored three goals in the third period to rip the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1 Wednesday night.

Marek Svatos and David  Jones added goals in the third period, and Hejduk contributed his seventh as the Avs piled it on.

Paul Stastny chipped in with a pair of assists for the Avalanche, who played before a sparse crowd of just over 11,000 fans.

Ed Jovanovski scored midway through the third period for the 'Yotes lone goal.

The Coyotes poured on 13 of their 29 shots in the second period, but could not penetrate Avs goalie Peter Budaj, making his first start of the season.

Budaj was sidelined with swine flu, but is reportedly healthy after that bout.

Colorado also finished with 29 shots.

The Avalanche improved to 11-3-2, while the Coyotes fell to 9-6-0.