Avs break open game with three-goal third, defeat Stars, 4-1

In Dallas Saturday, the visiting Colorado Avalanche broke open a tight 1-1 game with three third period goals to defeat the Stars, 4-1.

Nathan MacKinnon, Blake Comeau and Mark Barberio struck in the final frame for the Avs as they improved to 23-16-3.

“I think our guys are hungry to try and keep this thing going, so that’s a big factor, and it showed tonight,” Acs head coach Jared Bednar said. “We were disciplined, we were determined. I liked the compete level right off the bat. We had a good start and it carried for the rest of the game. Our guys were talkative on the bench. They played the game with emotion tonight. They’re starting to come together as a team.”

Jamie Benn had the lone strike for the Stars.

“We just didn’t have that extra push that we’ve been having lately,” the Stars’ Tyler Pitlick said. “When you’re not feeling great, we’ve got to find a way to make it happen anyways and find plays and play hard. So that’s something we’ve got to figure out.”

Jonathan Bernier made 27 saves to pick up the win for the Avs.

Alexander Kerfoot gave the Avs a 1-0 lead in the first period on his goal.

“I think that we’re playing good hockey right now,” Kerfoot said. “We’ve got confidence in our group. We’re just doing the little things right now and we’re finding ways to win, which is what good hockey teams do.”

[WATCH: All Avalanche vs. Stars highlights]

Ben Bishop made 19 saves in taking the loss.

“I don’t think it was a terrible effort,” Bishop said. “We did a pretty good job, we just couldn’t find the back of the net. They got two there in the third where I’ve got to make a save.”

The Stars dropped to 24-17-3 with the loss.