In a goaltenders duel Friday night in St. Paul, it was Canucks netminder Cory Schneider who came out on top at the Excel Engery Center as Vancouver skated away with a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The win stopped the club's four-game losing streak and it put the Canucks back in top spot in the Northwest Division.
Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom did his part in the first period to keep things level as he wasted tested often by the Canucks forwards. The likes of Taylor Pyatt and Daniel Sedin had some great chances early on from the slot, but Backstrom stood tall in his crease.
Vancouver continued to blitz the Wild and kept the home team pinned in their own zone. Eventually the Canucks were rewarded for their efforts with a goal on the power play. Daniel moved the puck to the right face off cirlce for Henrik Sedin. Instead of shooting, he fed Kevin Bieksa at the left point. With Daniel parked in front setting a screen, Bieksa wired a shot behind Backstrom. For Bieksa, it was his 5th of the year and it came at 13:55.
The Wild didn't have many good chances before the period was over. Brent Burns did have their best opportunity from close quarters, but Schneider came up with a big stop with close to two minutes before the intermission break. That would be Minnesota's best scoring chance of the period, one that saw Vancouver out-shoot the home team 14-3.
It did not take long into the middle period for the Canucks to see their lead slip away. With the two teams skating 4-on-4 to start the frame, the Wild forced the Vancouver defence to turn the puck over behind their net. Nick Schultz wound up getting a great chance from between the hash marks, but his blast was stopped by Schneider. However the rebound would be snapped home by Mikko Koivu. For Koivu, it was his 10th of the season and it extended his point scoring streak to seven straight games (5g,6a). Antti Miettinen picked up the other assist just 27 seconds into the period.
A few shifts later, the Canucks restored their lead for good. Darcy Hordichuk moved the puck up the left wing for Jannik Hansen, who quickly dropped a pass for Jason Jaffray. His shot took a deflection off Kim Johnsson's stick in the face off circle, deflected off Backstrom's glove, and found its way into the net. Jaffray's first of the season came in his third game since being called up from the Manitoba Moose. It also proved to be the game winner and it came at 3:52.
The rest of the period belonged to Schneider. With twelve minutes gone in the period, Stephane Veilleux was stoned by Schneider who made a great right pad save. Then with roughly three minutes remaining, Burns was left all alone in front, but Schneider came up with his biggest save of the game to keep the Canucks in the lead.
The final period didn't feature a lot of hi-end scoring chances for either team as the Canucks were able to preserve their lead and hang on for the one-goal win. Vancouver finished the night off out-shooting the Wild 31-17. In a very disciplined performance by both teams, the Canucks went 1-for-2 on the power play while Minnesota went 0-for-2.
Improving now to 15-10-2, the Canucks carry on their lengthy road trip to Denver where they'll play the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Game time is 5:00pm PST.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Canucks Wild Game Day
After arriving at around 1:00am in St. Paul this morning, the Canucks prepare to take on the Minnesota Wild for the third time this season.
Cory Schneider will get the start tonight in goal after replacing Curtis Sanford in last night's 6-5 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Optional skate today for Vancouver while the Wild had a full complete skate.
Canucks had 12 players hit the score sheet at Joe Louis Arena last night. Kyle Wellwood with a power play goal now has points in four straight games (3g,1a). That includes goals in three straight. Henrik Sedin, who scored for the first time in 14 games last night, now has points in back-to-back games (1g,2a). No major changes are expected in Vancouver's line-up tonight at the Excel Engery Center compared to last night.
The Canucks and the Dallas Stars are the only two teams in the NHL to have beaten the Wild twice this year. Vancouver shut-out Minnesota 2-0 at GM Place Nov. 8. In their most recent meeting Nov. 20, the Canucks came back from two one-goal deficits on the road to beat the Wild 3-2.
The Wild are coming off a 4-0 win at home Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. Mikko Koivu is on a career-best six-game point scoring streak (4g,6a). Marek Zidlicky has points in his last four (1g,4a) while Pierre-Marc Bouchard has gone three straight with points (3g,3a).
Minnesota is 2nd overall in the NHL on both the power play (26.6%) and penalty kill (89.1%). They are 10-for-20 in their last three games, compared to Vancouver's 3-for-11 in the same period. Goalie Niklas Backstrom made 22 saves for his 3rd shut-out of the season Wednesday night. In 115 career starts, he has allowed three goals or less 100 times!
Here's how the teams match-up tonight;
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
O'Brien - Edler
Schneider
Sanford
Wild:
Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Antti Miettinen - Benoit Poulliot - Owen Nolan
Stephane Veilleux - Eric Belanger - Brent Burns
Derek Boogaard - James Sheppard - Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Schultz - Kim Johnsson
Martin Skoula - Marek Zidlicky
Marc-Andre Bergeron - Erik Reitz
Niklas Backstrom
Josh Harding
Cory Schneider will get the start tonight in goal after replacing Curtis Sanford in last night's 6-5 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Optional skate today for Vancouver while the Wild had a full complete skate.
Canucks had 12 players hit the score sheet at Joe Louis Arena last night. Kyle Wellwood with a power play goal now has points in four straight games (3g,1a). That includes goals in three straight. Henrik Sedin, who scored for the first time in 14 games last night, now has points in back-to-back games (1g,2a). No major changes are expected in Vancouver's line-up tonight at the Excel Engery Center compared to last night.
The Canucks and the Dallas Stars are the only two teams in the NHL to have beaten the Wild twice this year. Vancouver shut-out Minnesota 2-0 at GM Place Nov. 8. In their most recent meeting Nov. 20, the Canucks came back from two one-goal deficits on the road to beat the Wild 3-2.
The Wild are coming off a 4-0 win at home Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. Mikko Koivu is on a career-best six-game point scoring streak (4g,6a). Marek Zidlicky has points in his last four (1g,4a) while Pierre-Marc Bouchard has gone three straight with points (3g,3a).
Minnesota is 2nd overall in the NHL on both the power play (26.6%) and penalty kill (89.1%). They are 10-for-20 in their last three games, compared to Vancouver's 3-for-11 in the same period. Goalie Niklas Backstrom made 22 saves for his 3rd shut-out of the season Wednesday night. In 115 career starts, he has allowed three goals or less 100 times!
Here's how the teams match-up tonight;
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
O'Brien - Edler
Schneider
Sanford
Wild:
Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Antti Miettinen - Benoit Poulliot - Owen Nolan
Stephane Veilleux - Eric Belanger - Brent Burns
Derek Boogaard - James Sheppard - Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Schultz - Kim Johnsson
Martin Skoula - Marek Zidlicky
Marc-Andre Bergeron - Erik Reitz
Niklas Backstrom
Josh Harding
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Canucks Fall Short to Red Wings Thursday
It’s not too often the Vancouver Canucks will score five goals on the road this season and lose a game. However, that’s what happened in the Motor City Thursday night as the Detroit Red Wings skated away with a 6-5 win at Joe Louis Arena. Twelve different Canucks skaters hit the score sheet in this game, but it wasn’t enough to avoid seeing their losing streak extend to four straight games.
The visitors could not have asked for a better start to the game as Taylor Pyatt drilled home a snap shot that beat goalie Chris Osgood over the shoulder. It was the third straight game the Wings allowed the opening goal on their first shot against. Shane O’Brien and Steve Bernier get the helpers on Pyatt’s 4th of the year. It was also Bernier’s 100th career point in the NHL and it came at 1:35.
An unlucky turnover in the Canucks end led to the Red Wings opening marker. Kyle Wellwood mishandled a pass along the wall in his own zone and the home team made him pay. Tomas Kopecky found Jiri Hudler in the slot and he wasted no time snapping a shot past Curtis Sanford. Valtteri Filppula gets the other assist on Hudler’s 10th of the year at 5:04.
Hudler got Detroit in the lead for the first time just after the midway point of the opening frame. Andreas Lilja fed a great stretch pass up the middle of the ice for Hudler who broke free behind the Canucks defence. He snapped his chance into the top corner over Sanford’s shoulder for his 11th of the campaign at 10:05.
Vancouver responded in the early part of the second period while on the power play. A great cross zone feed by Daniel Sedin allowed Wellwood to beat Osgood on the short side. Henrik Sedin gets the other assist on Wellwood’s 11th of the year. It was also his team-leading 6th power play marker of the season at 1:32.
Mason Raymond put the Canucks back into the lead a short time later. Alexander Edler’s point shot rattled off the end boards and would be shoveled home by Raymond. O’Brien’s 2nd assist of the game gave him his first multiple-point performance in the NHL as Raymond notched his 7th of the year at 4:13.
The Wings tied the game up just as one of their power plays had expired. Nicklas Lidstrom’s point shot would be deflected on the way to the net by the stick of Daniel Cleary. Brian Rafalski also helped Cleary tally his third of the year at 9:34.
Sanford did his part in the final half of the middle frame to keep the scored tied 2-2. He made a great pad save on a redirect from low in the slot off of Pavel Datsyuk and he came up with a huge stop off the left toe on a snap shot from the hash marks courtesy of Marian Hossa.
The turning point in the game came within a three minute stretch to start the final period. Derek Meech was able to capitalize on a wrap-around for his first goal in the NHL at 3:23. Less than a minute later, Lidstrom snapped home a shot from the left face off circle for his 3rd of the year at 4:13. Then while on a power play, Cleary was able to jump on a rebound and back-hand it home. Cleary’s second of the night at fourth of the year came at 6:08. That would be the last goal given up by Sanford, who faced 33 shots from the defending Stanley Cup Champions. He would be replaced by Cory Schneider, who didn’t allow any goals against on the five shots that came his way.
Henrik Sedin broke out of a long goal scoring slump to get the Canucks back on the scoreboard as he scooped in a loose puck at the top of the crease. Daniel and Pavol Demitra help Henrik score his first goal in 14 games. His fourth goal of the year at 8:20 gave Vancouver a bit of a spark.
Just as Schneider was pulled to the bench for the extra attacker late in the game, the Canucks were able to get to within a goal. Kevin Bieksa’s point shot would be deflected out of the air by Alex Burrows and past Osgood. Mattias Ohlund picks up the other assist as Burrows snapped a six-game goal-less drought with his 7th of the year at 18:35.
There would be no more scoring for the Canucks who wound up losing for the first time this season when scoring four or more goals. Detroit out-shot Vancouver 38-25 on a night which saw the Canucks go 1-for-3 on the man advantage and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
Now with an overall record of 14-10-2, the Canucks will hope to rebound Friday night in St. Paul, Minnesota with their third meeting of the season against the Wild. Game time is 7:00pm PST.
The visitors could not have asked for a better start to the game as Taylor Pyatt drilled home a snap shot that beat goalie Chris Osgood over the shoulder. It was the third straight game the Wings allowed the opening goal on their first shot against. Shane O’Brien and Steve Bernier get the helpers on Pyatt’s 4th of the year. It was also Bernier’s 100th career point in the NHL and it came at 1:35.
An unlucky turnover in the Canucks end led to the Red Wings opening marker. Kyle Wellwood mishandled a pass along the wall in his own zone and the home team made him pay. Tomas Kopecky found Jiri Hudler in the slot and he wasted no time snapping a shot past Curtis Sanford. Valtteri Filppula gets the other assist on Hudler’s 10th of the year at 5:04.
Hudler got Detroit in the lead for the first time just after the midway point of the opening frame. Andreas Lilja fed a great stretch pass up the middle of the ice for Hudler who broke free behind the Canucks defence. He snapped his chance into the top corner over Sanford’s shoulder for his 11th of the campaign at 10:05.
Vancouver responded in the early part of the second period while on the power play. A great cross zone feed by Daniel Sedin allowed Wellwood to beat Osgood on the short side. Henrik Sedin gets the other assist on Wellwood’s 11th of the year. It was also his team-leading 6th power play marker of the season at 1:32.
Mason Raymond put the Canucks back into the lead a short time later. Alexander Edler’s point shot rattled off the end boards and would be shoveled home by Raymond. O’Brien’s 2nd assist of the game gave him his first multiple-point performance in the NHL as Raymond notched his 7th of the year at 4:13.
The Wings tied the game up just as one of their power plays had expired. Nicklas Lidstrom’s point shot would be deflected on the way to the net by the stick of Daniel Cleary. Brian Rafalski also helped Cleary tally his third of the year at 9:34.
Sanford did his part in the final half of the middle frame to keep the scored tied 2-2. He made a great pad save on a redirect from low in the slot off of Pavel Datsyuk and he came up with a huge stop off the left toe on a snap shot from the hash marks courtesy of Marian Hossa.
The turning point in the game came within a three minute stretch to start the final period. Derek Meech was able to capitalize on a wrap-around for his first goal in the NHL at 3:23. Less than a minute later, Lidstrom snapped home a shot from the left face off circle for his 3rd of the year at 4:13. Then while on a power play, Cleary was able to jump on a rebound and back-hand it home. Cleary’s second of the night at fourth of the year came at 6:08. That would be the last goal given up by Sanford, who faced 33 shots from the defending Stanley Cup Champions. He would be replaced by Cory Schneider, who didn’t allow any goals against on the five shots that came his way.
Henrik Sedin broke out of a long goal scoring slump to get the Canucks back on the scoreboard as he scooped in a loose puck at the top of the crease. Daniel and Pavol Demitra help Henrik score his first goal in 14 games. His fourth goal of the year at 8:20 gave Vancouver a bit of a spark.
Just as Schneider was pulled to the bench for the extra attacker late in the game, the Canucks were able to get to within a goal. Kevin Bieksa’s point shot would be deflected out of the air by Alex Burrows and past Osgood. Mattias Ohlund picks up the other assist as Burrows snapped a six-game goal-less drought with his 7th of the year at 18:35.
There would be no more scoring for the Canucks who wound up losing for the first time this season when scoring four or more goals. Detroit out-shot Vancouver 38-25 on a night which saw the Canucks go 1-for-3 on the man advantage and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
Now with an overall record of 14-10-2, the Canucks will hope to rebound Friday night in St. Paul, Minnesota with their third meeting of the season against the Wild. Game time is 7:00pm PST.
Canucks & Red Wings Game Day
The Canucks (14-9-2) and Red Wings (16-4-4) match-up for the fourth and final time this season. Vancouver is 2-1-0 against Detroit, with both victories coming in overtime.
Curtis Sanford is likely to get the start tonight against the Wings. In his last meeting with Detroit, he stopped 32 shots in a 4-3 win at GM Place on November 24.
The team had an optional skate this morning with Sanford and Schneider in net and Hordichuk, Jaffray, Brown, Nycholat, and Davision as the five skaters.
Sami Salo leads all Canucks in scoring against the Red Wings this season (1g,3a) while Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin each have 1g,2a.
The Red Wings are without Tomas Holmstrom (back), Darren McCarty (groin) and will not have Chris Chelios in the line-up. The future Hall of Fame d-man is on his way to the Wings AHL team in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a conditioning stint after missing the start to the season with a broken tibia.
Mikael Samuellson (2g,2a) and Pavel Datsyuk (1g,3a) lead Detroit in scoring against the Canucks. Chris Osgood, likely getting the start tonight, has allowed nine goals against in three meetings with Vancouver.
Detroit has dominated the special teams aspect of this head-to-head series so far. The Wings are 6-for-13 on the power play (46.2%) while the Canucks have gone 1-for-14 (7.1%)
Tonight is also Igor Larionov Night at Joe Louis Arena. The Wings are honouring the one-time Canuck on his recent induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Here are the expected line combos and defensive pairings for tonight's game:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
O'Brien - Edler
Sanford
Schneider
Red Wings:
Dan Cleary - Pavel Datsyuk - Marian Hossa
Johan Franzen - Henrik Zetterberg - Mikael Samuellson
Jiri Hudler - Valtteri Filppula - Tomas Kopecky
Derek Meech - Kris Draper - Kirk Maltby
Nicklas Lidstrom - Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall - Brad Stuart
Andreas Lilja - Brett Lebda
Chris Osgood
Ty Conklin
Curtis Sanford is likely to get the start tonight against the Wings. In his last meeting with Detroit, he stopped 32 shots in a 4-3 win at GM Place on November 24.
The team had an optional skate this morning with Sanford and Schneider in net and Hordichuk, Jaffray, Brown, Nycholat, and Davision as the five skaters.
Sami Salo leads all Canucks in scoring against the Red Wings this season (1g,3a) while Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin each have 1g,2a.
The Red Wings are without Tomas Holmstrom (back), Darren McCarty (groin) and will not have Chris Chelios in the line-up. The future Hall of Fame d-man is on his way to the Wings AHL team in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a conditioning stint after missing the start to the season with a broken tibia.
Mikael Samuellson (2g,2a) and Pavel Datsyuk (1g,3a) lead Detroit in scoring against the Canucks. Chris Osgood, likely getting the start tonight, has allowed nine goals against in three meetings with Vancouver.
Detroit has dominated the special teams aspect of this head-to-head series so far. The Wings are 6-for-13 on the power play (46.2%) while the Canucks have gone 1-for-14 (7.1%)
Tonight is also Igor Larionov Night at Joe Louis Arena. The Wings are honouring the one-time Canuck on his recent induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Here are the expected line combos and defensive pairings for tonight's game:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
O'Brien - Edler
Sanford
Schneider
Red Wings:
Dan Cleary - Pavel Datsyuk - Marian Hossa
Johan Franzen - Henrik Zetterberg - Mikael Samuellson
Jiri Hudler - Valtteri Filppula - Tomas Kopecky
Derek Meech - Kris Draper - Kirk Maltby
Nicklas Lidstrom - Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall - Brad Stuart
Andreas Lilja - Brett Lebda
Chris Osgood
Ty Conklin
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Canucks Prep For Wings In Motown
After a quick morning flight from Columbus to Detroit, it was a fully attended Canucks practice today at Joe Louis Arena.
Curtis Sanford returned to the ice after suffering a back injury against the Blue Jackets on Monday. He says he feels a lot better and is ready to play. Coach Alain Vigneault says he'll check with Sanford in the morning to see how he's feeling before he makes a decision on whether Sanford or Cory Schneider will start against the Red Wings.
Darcy Hordichuk skated today after injuring his foot in Calgary last Saturday. He says it's still tender but it is getting better every day and he hopes to return before the week is out.
Here's how the players skated in 5-on-5 drills during practice:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
Edler - O Brien
Nycholat - Davison
The team practiced with two different power play units today, after the club scored both goals on the man advantage in their 3-2 loss to the Jackets on Monday.
PP #1
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Wellwood
Bieksa - Edler
PP #2
Raymond - Demitra - Bernier
Ohlund - Salo
The Canucks are riding their second three-game losing streak of the season. Special teams will certainly be a major focus going into Thursday's game against the Red Wings. Detroit leads the NHL's Central Division with a 16-4-4 record. They also sport the top power play percentage in the entire league, having gone 31-for-100 to this point in the season.
Vancouver has a 2-1-0 record against the Wings this season, with both victories coming in overtime, which included their first meeting of the season. Back on October 16, Alex Burrows netted the winner 27 seconds into the extra period to lift the Canucks to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Curtis Sanford returned to the ice after suffering a back injury against the Blue Jackets on Monday. He says he feels a lot better and is ready to play. Coach Alain Vigneault says he'll check with Sanford in the morning to see how he's feeling before he makes a decision on whether Sanford or Cory Schneider will start against the Red Wings.
Darcy Hordichuk skated today after injuring his foot in Calgary last Saturday. He says it's still tender but it is getting better every day and he hopes to return before the week is out.
Here's how the players skated in 5-on-5 drills during practice:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Jaffray - Brown
Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Salo
Edler - O Brien
Nycholat - Davison
The team practiced with two different power play units today, after the club scored both goals on the man advantage in their 3-2 loss to the Jackets on Monday.
PP #1
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Wellwood
Bieksa - Edler
PP #2
Raymond - Demitra - Bernier
Ohlund - Salo
The Canucks are riding their second three-game losing streak of the season. Special teams will certainly be a major focus going into Thursday's game against the Red Wings. Detroit leads the NHL's Central Division with a 16-4-4 record. They also sport the top power play percentage in the entire league, having gone 31-for-100 to this point in the season.
Vancouver has a 2-1-0 record against the Wings this season, with both victories coming in overtime, which included their first meeting of the season. Back on October 16, Alex Burrows netted the winner 27 seconds into the extra period to lift the Canucks to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Canucks Fall Short in Columbus Monday
The Canucks poured on the pressure down the stretch, but were unable to beat rookie goalie Steve Mason Monday night as the Columbus Blue Jackets hung on for a 3-2 win at the Nationwide Arena. The good news from this game saw Vancouver score both of their goals on the power play. The bad news came in the way of the Canucks continuing to find themselves in penalty trouble while starting netminder Curtis Sanford left the game with a back injury.
The two clubs were scoreless in the opening period, but not for lack of chances. Sanford was very strong, making some hi-lite reel saves off the likes Derrick Brassard, Rick Nash, and Fredrik Modin. At the other end of the rink, Mason was sharp on all eight shots the Canucks put his way. Sanford however went into the intermission break with back spasms and would not return to action, making way for Cory Schneider to appear in his second game in a row.
The Canucks did open the scoring on a power play in the early part of the 2nd. Alexander Edler's point shot would be deflected on target by Daniel Sedin who set up a screen. The rebound would be gobbled up by Kyle Wellwood who buried his 10th of the season. His team-leading 5th power play goal of the campaign came at 3:27.
Just prior to the midway point of the period, the Blue Jackets got an equalizer with a power play of their own. Despite having the worst power play percentage in the NHL, the Jackets looked good on this chance as Kristian Huselius found a wide open Modin in the slot. He made no mistake netting his 3rd of the year. Nash collects the other assist on the Jackets' 12th power play goal of the year at 9:30.
Vancouver got back into the lead with another power play tally in the 3rd period. With Daniel again parked in front of Mason at the top of the crease, Kevin Bieksa wired home a shot from the middle of the blue line that found the top corner. Henrik Sedin and Edler notch the helpers on Beiksa's 4th of the season at 5:28.
Daniel nearly gave the Canucks a two-goal cushion as he was sprung free on a breakaway from the Columbus blue-line. However the 20 year-old netminder stood-tall and denied the Canucks leading scorer with a pad save.
A few shifts later, the Blue Jackets 4th line was able to get the home team back on to level terms. As Mike Commodore was about to release a shot from the point, Schneider lost his footing at the top of the crease. He wound up making the save while on the ice, but the rebound would be snapped home by Andrew Murray. Manny Malhotra gets the other assist on just the third of the year for Murray at 9:03.
The eventual game-winning goal came with under five minutes to play in regulation. Nash did a good job to fight off a check in the Canucks corner and found a wide open Huselius in front. Schneider had no chance on the 9th of the season for Huselius at 15:16.
Vancouver really poured on the pressure in the final five minutes and were given a gift when Fedor Tyutin took a penalty with under two minutes remaining. The Canucks got the extra attaker on the ice and were able to work a 6-on-4 man advantage. Wellwood had the best opportunity at the left side of the crease, but Mason came up with a massive glove save to keep his team in the lead and eventually preserve the win.
For the first time in 11 games, the Canucks out-shot their opponents as they had an edge of 32-29. However, Vancouver could have been much more disciplined as the 2nd-most penalized team in the NHL wound up being short-handed eight times. The Canucks finished the night going 2-for-5 on the power play while the Blue Jackets went 1-for-8.
Now 14-9-2, the Canucks will look to snap out of a three-game losing streak on Thursday night. It won't be easy though as they travel to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
The two clubs were scoreless in the opening period, but not for lack of chances. Sanford was very strong, making some hi-lite reel saves off the likes Derrick Brassard, Rick Nash, and Fredrik Modin. At the other end of the rink, Mason was sharp on all eight shots the Canucks put his way. Sanford however went into the intermission break with back spasms and would not return to action, making way for Cory Schneider to appear in his second game in a row.
The Canucks did open the scoring on a power play in the early part of the 2nd. Alexander Edler's point shot would be deflected on target by Daniel Sedin who set up a screen. The rebound would be gobbled up by Kyle Wellwood who buried his 10th of the season. His team-leading 5th power play goal of the campaign came at 3:27.
Just prior to the midway point of the period, the Blue Jackets got an equalizer with a power play of their own. Despite having the worst power play percentage in the NHL, the Jackets looked good on this chance as Kristian Huselius found a wide open Modin in the slot. He made no mistake netting his 3rd of the year. Nash collects the other assist on the Jackets' 12th power play goal of the year at 9:30.
Vancouver got back into the lead with another power play tally in the 3rd period. With Daniel again parked in front of Mason at the top of the crease, Kevin Bieksa wired home a shot from the middle of the blue line that found the top corner. Henrik Sedin and Edler notch the helpers on Beiksa's 4th of the season at 5:28.
Daniel nearly gave the Canucks a two-goal cushion as he was sprung free on a breakaway from the Columbus blue-line. However the 20 year-old netminder stood-tall and denied the Canucks leading scorer with a pad save.
A few shifts later, the Blue Jackets 4th line was able to get the home team back on to level terms. As Mike Commodore was about to release a shot from the point, Schneider lost his footing at the top of the crease. He wound up making the save while on the ice, but the rebound would be snapped home by Andrew Murray. Manny Malhotra gets the other assist on just the third of the year for Murray at 9:03.
The eventual game-winning goal came with under five minutes to play in regulation. Nash did a good job to fight off a check in the Canucks corner and found a wide open Huselius in front. Schneider had no chance on the 9th of the season for Huselius at 15:16.
Vancouver really poured on the pressure in the final five minutes and were given a gift when Fedor Tyutin took a penalty with under two minutes remaining. The Canucks got the extra attaker on the ice and were able to work a 6-on-4 man advantage. Wellwood had the best opportunity at the left side of the crease, but Mason came up with a massive glove save to keep his team in the lead and eventually preserve the win.
For the first time in 11 games, the Canucks out-shot their opponents as they had an edge of 32-29. However, Vancouver could have been much more disciplined as the 2nd-most penalized team in the NHL wound up being short-handed eight times. The Canucks finished the night going 2-for-5 on the power play while the Blue Jackets went 1-for-8.
Now 14-9-2, the Canucks will look to snap out of a three-game losing streak on Thursday night. It won't be easy though as they travel to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
The Canucks and Blue Jackets prepare for their 2nd meeting of the season tonight in Columbus. Blue Jackets took the first game, with Rick Nash scoring twice in a 4-2 win back on October 21.
Vancouver will not have Darcy Hordichuk in action as he suffered a slight fracture in his left foot following a blocked shot Saturday in Calgary. Jason Jaffray has been called up from the Manitoba Moose. Curtis Sanford will start in net and will be sporting a new neck protector under his mask. Roberto Luongo was on the ice in full equipment for the last five minutes, stretching and going through different movements. He did not take any shots.
Don't be surprised to see new-look line combos for Vancouver after back-to-back losses against the Flames. Although they didn't skate in lines this morning, there could be changes up and down their forward units. Although Daniel and Henrik Sedin have started the last seven games alongside Pavol Demitra, they've finished the last two games playing with Taylor Pyatt.
Vancouver's power play has gone 2-for-16 in the last five games. It's not nearly as bad as Columbus though. Dead last in the NHL on the PP, the Blue Jackets have only scored twice in their last 49 power play chances.
Columbus is coming off a 3-0 win at home Saturday against Washington. Their top two lines include Nash with R.J. Umberger in the middle and Kristian Huselius on left wing while Derrick Brassard centres Jason Chimera on the left and Jakub Voracek on the right.
Game time is 4:00pm PST on Team 1040 AM.
Vancouver will not have Darcy Hordichuk in action as he suffered a slight fracture in his left foot following a blocked shot Saturday in Calgary. Jason Jaffray has been called up from the Manitoba Moose. Curtis Sanford will start in net and will be sporting a new neck protector under his mask. Roberto Luongo was on the ice in full equipment for the last five minutes, stretching and going through different movements. He did not take any shots.
Don't be surprised to see new-look line combos for Vancouver after back-to-back losses against the Flames. Although they didn't skate in lines this morning, there could be changes up and down their forward units. Although Daniel and Henrik Sedin have started the last seven games alongside Pavol Demitra, they've finished the last two games playing with Taylor Pyatt.
Vancouver's power play has gone 2-for-16 in the last five games. It's not nearly as bad as Columbus though. Dead last in the NHL on the PP, the Blue Jackets have only scored twice in their last 49 power play chances.
Columbus is coming off a 3-0 win at home Saturday against Washington. Their top two lines include Nash with R.J. Umberger in the middle and Kristian Huselius on left wing while Derrick Brassard centres Jason Chimera on the left and Jakub Voracek on the right.
Game time is 4:00pm PST on Team 1040 AM.
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