Jan. 8, 2011
Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings
The battle for best in the west came down to a shootout Saturday night in Vancouver. Riding an eight game winning streak and undefeated in regulation since early December, the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 after Juri Hudler’s slapshot past netminder Roberto Luongo for the only goal in the shootout. Daniel Sedin’s backhand shot was denied by Red Wing goalie Jimmie Howard to end the shootout.
A match-up of the two best teams in the Western Conference did not disappoint on Hockey Night in Canada. With the win, the Red Wings are one point behind the Canucks for the best record in the NHL. In three games head to head, Detroit leads the series 2-1, with both wins decided in overtime or shootout. If these teams end up meeting in the playoffs, there will plenty of animosity between both clubs.
The game was a low-scoring, grind it out defensive battle throughout. Howard and Luongo stole the show saving 34 and 32 shots respectively. Howard made the save of the game with his glove early in the first period when it looked like Daniel Sedin would find the back of the net from point blank range.
Daniel Sedin did score the first goal of the game midway through the second period on a powerplay while Ryan Kesler and Henrik Sedin assisted on the play for the Canucks. It was Sedin’s 25th goal of the season.
Vancouver was penalized just before the end of the second period and it came back to bite them when they started the third period shorthanded. Johan Franzen scored on a breakaway one minute into the period to tie the game. As the period progressed, the pace and tension grew to a fevered pitch as both teams picked up physical play but were careful not to pick up a costly penalty. The Red Wings had the only penalty of the period, but it did not cost them. The game would need to be decided in overtime.
The chances were there for both teams in the extra frame. Canucks winger Jeff Tambellini had a breakaway opportunity shot wide right that could have given the Canucks a game winning goal with two minutes left in overtime. He also missed a chance to equalize in the shootout. With 25 seconds left in overtime it looked like Niklas Kronwall’s slapshot won the game for Detroit, but the goal was disallowed when former Canuck Todd Bertuzzi knocked Luongo down before the puck hit the net. Officials determined it wasn’t worth a penalty, but the hit didn’t give Luongo a chance to make the save.
Both teams played on back to back nights, but neither team showed fatigue in the showdown. Vancouver won the faceoff battle 40 to 34 and outhit the injury depleted Red Wings 24 to 16, but in the end the Canucks could not put the puck in the net in crunch time.
Next game between both teams will be March 23 in Detroit and can be seen on Versus. I can’t wait for the rematch.*stats compiled from ESPN and CBC
No comments:
Post a Comment