DENVER -- Nino Niederreiter hesitated for just a moment after scoring the winning goal, not sure if what he just saw actually occurred. Authentic Brock Vereen Jersey . It happened, all right. His Minnesota teammates suddenly skating over to mob him made the moment real. Niederreiter scored his second goal of the game at 5:02 in overtime after Ilya Bryzgalov made a big save filling in for the injured Darcy Kuemper, leading the Wild to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 on Wednesday night. The right winger was a rather unlikely star with his first two goals of the series. "An unbelievable feeling," said Niederreiter, whose team captured their first playoff series since 2003. "I think our heart made the difference tonight." Minnesota trailed 4-3 before Jared Spurgeon scored on a nifty play with 2:27 left in regulation. Spurgeon waited for a clear look at the goal, and then shot it over Semyon Varlamovs shoulder and off the left post. Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley had the other goals for the Wild, who will face the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in a second-round series that begins Friday. The two met last season, with the Blackhawks winning in five games. Nick Holden, Jamie McGinn, Paul Stastny and Erik Johnson scored for the Avalanche as they returned to the post-season for the first time since 2010 and tied a franchise record with 52 wins in capturing the Central Division. Not that its much consolation -- not now, anyway. "The toughest part is to not come back tomorrow and be ready for Chicago," first-year coach Patrick Roy said. "We believe in ourselves and its hard to see that its over. "Im sure tomorrow is going to hurt more thinking its over because we still have the emotion of the game." Rookie Nathan MacKinnon couldnt agree more. "It tarnishes the year a lot," said MacKinnon, who had two goals and eight assists in the series. "We wanted to make a run here and we had a chance twice to win the series, once in Game 6 and obviously tonight. Its tough to describe what went on. "Weve got to wait until September to get things going again, which is going to be a long summer, especially watching the playoffs. Its going to be tough." The Avalanche took a lead on four different occasions, only to have the Wild respond. Niederreiter won it for Minnesota on a 2-on-1 break when he sent a shot over Varlamovs shoulder in the fourth overtime of the series. "Its not easy to play against a good team," said Varlamov, whos a finalist for the Vezina Trophy thats given to the leagues top goaltender. "Theyve been playing well against us the whole series." Bryzgalov took over in net for Kuemper midway through the third. Bryzgalov started the series but was replaced by Kuemper in Game 2. The veteran Bryzgalov stopped a shot with his left shoulder early in the overtime, paving the way for Niederreiters winner. It was his only save in 13:15 of action. Now, like most of the season, the Wild have a concern at goalie, especially since coach Mike Yeo isnt sure how badly Kuemper is hurt. "If only we had any experience dealing with this," Yeo jokingly said. "Were fortunate we have good depth at that position." Roys first season on the bench for the Avalanche ended the same way his Hall of Fame goaltending career did -- with a loss to the Wild in Game 7. Roy surrendered the winning overtime goal in 2003. This one was just as agonizing. "We had our chance -- dont kid ourselves," Roy said. "We had our chance and they took advantage of theirs." Niederreiter was starting to heat up in Game 6, but couldnt find the net. That changed on Wednesday. "He raised the bar," Yeo said. "Got himself in trouble now, because this is what we expect." Niederreiter was only happy to contribute. "As a little kid, its exactly the moment you dream about," Niederreiter said. "Im very happy and fortunate that it happened tonight." NOTES: Minnesota F Matt Cooke served the fourth game of his seven-game suspension for his knee-to-knee hit on Avs D Tyson Barrie. Cooke has appeared in the most Game 7s (seven) of any Wild player. ... Yeo said this is the start of a "budding rivalry" between the two Central Division foes. ... Wild F Kyle Brodziak had three assists. ... Colorado Fs P.A. Parenteau and Matt Duchene each had two assists. This was Duchenes second game back after missing almost a month with a knee injury. KaDeem Carey Kids Jersey . On a successful day for the Merseyside clubs, Everton won 3-1 at last-place Fulham to close to within four points of fourth-place Arsenal ahead of their meeting at Goodison Park next weekend. Liverpool -- the leagues top scorers -- produced another masterful attacking display against a porous Spurs defence, with Younes Kabouls second-minute own-goal added to by strikes from Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson to seal an eighth straight win for the Reds. Will Sutton Jersey . The Russian will play South Africas Chanelle Scheepers, who knocked out Urszula Radwanska of Poland, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3, in a match that lasted over three hours. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons fears were confirmed on Wednesday when a second medical opinion found star wide receiver Julio Jones foot injury will cause him to miss the remainder of the season. Coach Mike Smith said Jones will have surgery on Monday, but the Falcons still did not release details of the injury. Jones, the NFLs leading receiver, injured his right foot in Monday nights 30-28 loss to the New York Jets. Smith had said Tuesday the first reports were not encouraging. Jones wanted a second opinion and was examined Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., by foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. "Unfortunately, Julios appointment with the doctor today confirmed our initial findings," Smith said in a statement released by the team. Anderson repaired a broken bone in Jones right foot before his 2011 rookie season. The loss of Jones is a devastating blow to the Falcons, who are 1-4 and entering their bye week. Roddy White, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver, hurt his hamstring in the loss to the Jets and missed Wednesdays practice. Smith said White, who already was slowed by an ankle sprain, also will miss Thursdays practice. Harry Douglas, Kevin Cone and Drew Davis were the top receivers Wednesday. After those three, the teams options are practice squad receivers Darius Johnson and James Rodgers. "Injuries are a part of the NFL and youve got to deal with them," Smith said. "Everybody has to deal with them. Our guys understand its an opportunity for somebody else to step up. Weve done it many times already this season. Its not going to be any different than any other week." Jones leads the NFL with 41 catches and ranks second with 580 yards receiving. He made his first Pro Bowl team in 2012 when he had 79 receptions for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joones (6-3, 220) provides size mismatches for most cornerbacks and is the Falcons top deep threat. nflbearsus.com/Womens-KaDeem-Carey-Authentic-Jersey/. He had eight catches for 99 yards, including a 46-yarder, against the Jets. "Its tough to replicate what he can do," said quarterback Matt Ryan. "Certainly hes one of the most gifted receivers in the NFL. That makes it difficult to replace that but we have other guys who need to step up and I think will step up for us." Ryan said he saw Jones on Wednesday before the receiver left the practice facility for appointment in Charlotte. "Weve all kind of been there before," Ryan said. "Its part of playing in this league. Its a tough, physical game. Hes got a great mindset about it though. Hes positive, hes upbeat." The Falcons could seek help at wide receiver during the bye week. Jones big-play ability will be difficult to replace. "Its going to take some time to figure out what were going to do, depending on how long hes out or whatever," Ryan said. "But well figure it out and try to find a way to get it done and be explosive in some different ways." Douglas, who has 16 catches for 219 yards, is in his fifth season. Most of his experience has come as the No. 3 receiver, and he could be asked to join tight end Tony Gonzalez in a lead role when the Falcons return from the bye week to play Tampa Bay on Oct. 20. "Ive been playing football for a long time," Douglas said. "I dont need to go out there and try to be Superman. Ive just got to play the game of football." Cone had his first career catch on Monday night. Davis had four catches in 2012 and none this season. While his teammates made optimistic predictions about the backup receivers, Cone stated the obvious. "Im definitely no Julio Jones," Cone said. ' ' '
