DALLAS (AP) — Colorado finally got to play with the lead against the Dallas Stars, though the Avalanche are still behind in the series.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar scored two goals, the second after Casey Mittelstadt’s go-ahead tally in the third period, and they beat top-seeded Dallas 5-3 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. The Avs snapped their three-game losing streak and extended the second-round Western Conference series.
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Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, watches the puck after his shot was blocked by Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
A shot by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, not visible, gets by Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) for a goal during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29), Jonathan Drouin (27), Devon Toews (7), Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Cale Makar (8) react after Makar scored a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, top, during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) reacts after teammate defenseman Cale Makar (8) scored a goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. Looking on are Stars' Thomas Harley (55) and Tyler Seguin (91). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Zach Parise (9) and Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) compete for the puck during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) falls on the ice while challenging Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) for the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) and Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) chase after the puck during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) reacts after receiving a high stick from Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev (3) during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar passes the puck against the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) eyes the puck after a power play scoring shot by teammate Cale Makar, not visible, during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. Looking on are Stars' Jake Oettinger (29) and Esa Lindell (23). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) skates by his bench after scoring a power play goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) celebrates his first period goal with Miro Heiskanen, left, and Ryan Suter in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars players celebrate a goal by Joe Pavelski, center, during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
“Obviously a do-or-die game from here on out in the series,” Makar said. “Each of us, we feed off each other. ... And I felt like we were back to kind of like forcing their hand tonight.”
When Mittelstadt scored just 1:12 into the third period to make it 3-2, it was the first time the Avalanche had led in the series except for when Miles Wood scored 11 minutes into overtime to win the series opener.
“It was great,” league MVP finalist Nathan MacKinnon said about playing with a lead. “They didn’t do that much, but anytime we can get a lead it’s important so we’re not chasing all series.”
Makar made it 4-2 with an unassisted goal just over three minutes later. His shot from the middle of the right circle went through the legs of goalie Jake Oettinger and proved to be the deciding goal and MacKinnon scored on a lone assist from Artturi Lehkonen with 3:10 left.
MacKinnon also had the only assist on Lehkonen’s power-play goal in the very last second of the first period.
“We knew we were going to get their best game in the series, and they did,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “Their big guys all are on the scoresheet tonight, which we’ve probably anticipated would happen.”
Avalanche goalie Alexander Georgiev had 23 saves. Oettinger stopped 22 shots.
Joe Pavelski had his first goal of these playoffs for the Stars, and had his second assist this postseason. Miro Heiskanen and rookie Logan Stankoven also scored for Dallas, and Jason Robertson had two assists.
Game 6 is Friday night in Colorado, where the Stars outscored the Avs 9-2 while winning Games 3 and 4. Dallas is 4-1 on the road this postseason — and 3-4 at home.
This was the sixth time in franchise history that the Avs won Game 5 after falling behind 3-1 in a best-of-seven series. They have never come back to win the series.
After going 0 for 8 on power plays while losing the previous three games, Colorado scored tying goals on both of its opportunities with a man advantage in the first two periods.
“I felt like once we were getting pucks, it was right on and off the stick, and trying to avoid a little bit of the pressure,” Makar said, when asked what changed in Game 5. “Having that different mentality, an attack mentality, and not trying to back down or trying to look for the perfect play.”
Makar got his power-play goal on a 50-foot wrister through a bunch of traffic in front of the net with 3 1/2 minutes left in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
“Tough-go for a handful of games ... it’s a huge response after goal one, after goal two,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said.
Mittelstadt’s go-ahead goal came after Zach Parise hit the puck across the crease and Mittelstadt knocked it in, a ricochet off the right post that hit the back of Oettinger’s leg and went in.
Pavelski scored on a backhander from just outside the crease after a pass from Matt Duchene midway through the first period, after Robertson had poked the puck away from defenseman Josh Manson.
After 14 games without a goal, including the last three games of the regular season, Pavelski got his 74th career playoff goal to extend his record for the most by a U.S-born player. That is also the most by any active player.
Colorado got even at 1-1 with 0.6 seconds left in the first period on Lehkonen’s slap shot from the top of the slot.
“You’ve got to get out of the period there,” DeBoer said.
Heiskanen scored his fourth goal in this series, and his fifth of the playoffs, put Dallas up 2-1 in the second. He dropped the puck back to Pavelski, who passed ahead to Robertson, who made a move toward the right side of the net before a nifty crossing pass to Heiskanen on the other side of Georgiev on a power play.
Rantanen had the secondary assist on Makar’s first goal for his 100th career playoff point (33 goals and 67 assists). It came in his 80th career postseason game, making him only the eighth NHL player to reach that milestone in that many games or fewer. He is only the fourth player in Avalanche franchise history to reach 100 playoff points — Joe Sakic’s 188 tops that list.
It was Bednar’s 49th playoff victory, matching Bob Hartley for the most in franchise history. Both have led the Avalanche to Stanley Cup titles, Hartley in 2001 and then Bednar their next one in 2022.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, watches the puck after his shot was blocked by Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
A shot by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, not visible, gets by Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) for a goal during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29), Jonathan Drouin (27), Devon Toews (7), Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Cale Makar (8) react after Makar scored a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, top, during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) reacts after teammate defenseman Cale Makar (8) scored a goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. Looking on are Stars' Thomas Harley (55) and Tyler Seguin (91). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Zach Parise (9) and Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) compete for the puck during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) falls on the ice while challenging Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) for the puck during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) and Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) chase after the puck during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) reacts after receiving a high stick from Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev (3) during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar passes the puck against the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) eyes the puck after a power play scoring shot by teammate Cale Makar, not visible, during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. Looking on are Stars' Jake Oettinger (29) and Esa Lindell (23). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) skates by his bench after scoring a power play goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) celebrates his first period goal with Miro Heiskanen, left, and Ryan Suter in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Stars players celebrate a goal by Joe Pavelski, center, during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A judge on Thursday handed down long sentences to two former police officers for the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco, an icon of Brazil’ s political left whose killing sparked outrage.
Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz were sentenced to almost 79 years and almost 60 years, respectively, for the March 14, 2018 drive-by shooting that killed Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. Jurors found that Lessa fired the gun and de Queiroz was the wheelman on the night of the crime.
Lessa and de Queiroz, arrested in 2019, previously signed plea bargains confessing their roles, but the jury had final word on their guilt on homicide and other charges. The verdict, although expected, comes as a measure of solace to the many who saw the martyrdom of the Black, bisexual woman as an attack on democracy, and worried that the crime would go unpunished.
The prosecutors had argued each man should be sentenced to the maximum possible 84 years for the three counts — double homicide, attempted homicide and driving a cloned vehicle.
As Judge Lucia Glioche finished reading the sentence, applause erupted in the room as victims’ families began to cry. Marielle’s sister, Anielle Franco, Brazil’s minister for racial equality, held a long, tearful embrace with her parents and Marielle’s daughter, Luyara Franco. Her father rested his head on the chest of former congressman Marcelo Freixo, who was her political mentor.
Brazilian law does not allow for life imprisonment, and each man will serve no more than 30 years of their sentences. Due to their sealed plea bargains, local media has reported that Queiroz and Lessa may serve 12 and 18 years in prison, respectively, including time already served. Prosecutors have denied their sentenced would be reduced.
Either way, Thursday’s sentencing is seen as only a step toward justice being done, with another trial yet to come for the men accused of ordering her killing. They will also have to pay 706,000 reais ($122,000) in moral damages to several of the victims’ family members and provide an allowance to the young son of Gomes until he turns 24, according to a statement on the court's website.
Known universally by her first name, Marielle, she was raised in one of Rio’s poor communities known as favelas. She became known for her efforts to improve the lives of ordinary residents. Following her election in 2016, she fought against violence targeting women while defending human rights and social programs.
Testimony Wednesday during the first day of the trial offered details about the moments preceding and following the shooting. Franco’s assistant and friend who was also in the car, Fernanda Chaves, was among those giving testimony, as was Franco’s mother and her partner Mônica Benício.
Choked up and often unable to talk, Benício said the last thing Marielle ever said to her was “I love you.”
“We had plans to get married with a wedding party. When Marielle died, what I felt was that they had taken away our promise of the future,” she said, later adding that the right to a just city was one of Marielle’s causes.
“Marielle also defended the right to decent housing from the perspective of the favela, the periphery, this was the theme of the city’s rights agenda.”
Both defendants participated in the trial by videoconference from prison. Lessa is in Sao Paulo while de Queiroz is in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia.
Federal authorities started investigating the case in earnest once leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.
With Lessa and de Queiroz sentenced, attention will now turn to the men accused of ordering the hit: two brothers with purported ties to criminal groups known as militias, which illegally charge residents for various services, including protection.
Guilhermo Catramby, a Federal Police detective, told the court Wednesday that the assassination was “undoubtedly” motivated by Marielle’s work regarding land rights, especially in the west side of Rio de Janeiro. Her work there was “a thorn in the side of militia interests,” Catramby said.
In March, Federal Police detained the two brothers, federal lawmaker Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão, a member of Rio state’s accounts watchdog. They have denied any involvement in the killing or with militias and have yet to go on trial.
In his plea bargain, Lessa told police that the politician brothers hired him and informed him that the then-chief of the state’s civil police, Rivaldo Barbosa, had signed off beforehand. Barbosa, who also denies any involvement, was arrested in March.
Marielle’s family and Ágatha Arnaus, widow of Gomes, spoke to journalists after the trial. Holding hands, they said that while the conviction offered some reparation after years of struggle and pain, it was just the first step in a long journey toward justice.
“I wanted my mother here, but today will certainly go down in this country’s democratic history,” said Luyara, the councilwoman’s daughter, holding back tears.
“If the justice system had not convicted these two cruel murderers, we wouldn’t have a moment of peace. But this doesn’t end here,” said Antonio Francisco da Silva, Marielle’s father. “There are those who ordered the crime. Now the question is: when will those who ordered it be convicted?”
Sá Pessoa reported from Sao Paulo.
People attend a rally prior to the trial of former Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco's alleged killers outside the Court of Justice, in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A woman shouts demanding justice before the start of the trial of councilwoman Marielle Franco’s suspected murderers, outside the Court of Justice, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Former military police officers, shown on screen, from left, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Queiroz attend via video conference their trial where they are accused of murdering city councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes, at the Court of Justice in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
People gather demanding justice before the start of the trial of councilwoman Marielle Franco’s suspected murderers, outside the Court of Justice, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Anielle Franco, left back, and her mother Marinete Silva, center, family members of of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, arrive to the Court of Justice to attend the trial of Franco’s suspected murderers, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mother of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, Marinete Silva, right center, and Luyara Santos, left center, daughter of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, accompanied by other family members, arrive to follow the trial of former city councilwoman Marielle Franco's alleged killers, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Monica Benicio, center, widow of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, arrives to the Court of Justice to attend the trial of Franco's suspected murderers, in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A demonstrator embraces a child while holding a sign with a message that reads in Portuguese: "I want justice for Marielle and Anderson", before the start of the trial of councilwoman Marielle Franco’s suspected murderers, outside the Court of Justice, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Advisor to slain city councilwoman Marielle Franco, Fernanda Goncalves Chaves, pictured on screen, testifies during the trial of Franco's suspected murderers, at the Court of Justice in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
An activist wearing a T-shirt with the image of former city councilwoman Marielle Franco attends a rally prior to the trial for Franco's alleged killers, outside the Court of Justice, in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)