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 Vrbata's goal in the extra five minutes came during a scramble in front of the Avalanche goal. Shane Doan, who was on his knees, was initially credited with poking the puck between Peter Budaj's pads.
The Coyotes forced the extra period when Vrbata scored into a wide open net with 3:11 left in the third period. Vrbata took a pass from Steven Reinprecht on a face off and slapped it past Budaj, who never saw the pass and was still hugging the post on the right side and not challenging the shot.
The Avs were unable to capitalize on a rare February home game. They play just four of 14 games this month at the Pepsi Center, where they're 18-9-1, the second-best home record in the NHL behind Detroit.
It looked like the Avs were headed to victory when T.J. Hensick scored his second goal midway through the third period to give Colorado a 3-2 lead.
It came at 9:52 when he jammed the puck past Mikael Tellqvist after Jaroslav Hlinka centered the pass in front of the net. The goal wasn't allowed until a stoppage in play at 11:32 and the officiating crew had a chance to review the play.
Hensick had three goals coming into the game. His fourth gave Colorado a 1-0 lead. He tipped in Tyler Arnason's pass through the crease with just over two minutes left in the first period.
It was a short-lived lead as the Coyotes tied it on Peter Mueller's slap shot from the slot on a two-man advantage with a minute left in the period.
The Coyotes broke a 1-1 tie on Daniel Winnik's tip-in with an assist from Matt Murley five minutes into the second period, and the Avs knotted it again on Ian Laperriere's breakaway goal later in the period.
Coyotes center Martin Hanzal injured his shoulder on a hit from Cody McCormick with 8:20 left in the first period and did not return.
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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attended the game. He said beforehand that Rick Tocchet, on two years' probation after he pleaded guilty to promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling, is on track to resume his position as an assistant coach with the Coyotes on Thursday.
"I spoke with Rick last week and I wished him well," Bettman said. "I think it's time for all of us, including him ... to move forward, look forward and put this all behind us. And I think Rick is prepared to put it behind him."
Since the betting ring, in which Tocchet partnered with a New Jersey state trooper and another man, became public in February 2006, the former star forward has been on an indefinite leave of absence that was granted by Bettman.
Bettman also said he wasn't bummed to see thousands of empty seats at the Pepsi Center.
"This team went for 11 years having a sellout every single game. That is an incredible record and like most records it doesn't go on forever," Bettman said. "But based on the ownership and the management of this club, the fact that this is a good young team anchored by somebody who happens to be recovering from an appendectomy (Paul Stastny), the future is bright and I'm not concerned about this franchise at all."
Notes: Bettman said Denver would be strongly considered the next time the league decides to have another outdoor game like the one in Buffalo on New Year's Day. ... The Avs recalled Michael Wall from the AHL on Monday because of injuries to goalies Jose Theodore and Tyler Weiman.
[Associated Press; By ARNIE STAPLETON]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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