After an awful offensive showing in game 1, Vancouver shook up their lines. The Sedins were still stuck with Burrows, but Roy was bumped up to centre line 2 with Kesler and Higgins. Raymond and Hansen played with Lapierre on the third, while Ebbett centered Kassian and Weise. No change on the defensive pairings, because they actually played pretty well against a very large San Jose team. Luongo started in net, as Cory Schneider is still unable to play. Speculation is that he will not travel to San Jose for games 3 and 4.
Raise your glasses, Canucks fans. Here's to hoping the Canucks truck over the Sharks tonight. *clink*
After the first shift ended, Vancouver already had almost double the offensive zone time that they had last game. Ok maybe I exaggerated, a little, but it's not too far of a stretch. The Canucks came out with all cylinders firing, and had the Sharks on their heels for a good five minutes. Luongo remained his well and ready self, making 2 great saves on a Sharks powerplay midway through the period. Only problem was, the defense constantly let the Sharks take the puck right up the middle. Eventually, with 6 and a bit left in the first, that resulted in a Sharks goal.
After a Stuart point shot got lost in the feet of Edler, Thornton found it in front and beat Luongo blocker side. Soon after, Luongo collided with a Sharks player on the PK, and went down. He was slow to get up, but continued playing. Nothing else happened in the first. Sharks lead 1-0 in goals, 10-4 in shots, but trailed 15-12 in hits.
Very worry some period for the Canucks. Via Hosea Cheung, the Canucks did not get a single shot in the final 9:55 of the first period. They had the pressure only on, but just collapsed in the end. Even worse; the defense couldn't contain anyone. It was like they were moving 2 seconds too slow.
Vancouver was on the charge early in the second, but were cut short by a crap call. Sharks defenseman Braun shoved Burrows into Niemi, and Burrows got a penalty. Thankfully the penalty was killed, but Thornton did hit the post with the man advantage. After the PK, momentum seemed to swing in favor of the Canucks. They had shot after shot on Niemi, but he remained incredibly good, and incredibly lucky. Midway through the period, Pavelski 'scored' on the rush, but the goal was waived off because Wingels ran Luongo. No penalty. The refs should at least be constant in their calls.
Later on, Vancouver got their first powerplay of the game, but it turned into a 4 on 4 because Henrik used his hand to win the ensuing faceoff. Meanwhile, at the other end, Luongo was forced to be an acrobat. After bailing out the Canucks more than once, he made a incredible cross-crease diving save on Torres. In the dying seconds, Kesler came across the middle of the ice at full speed and absolutely NAILED Braun. Overall, not a bad period for the Canucks. Still down 1-0, but tied 18-18 in the shots. Hits 29-19 in favor of the Canucks. Also; Kesler was just dominating physical play. Hopefully he gets on the scoresheet in the third.
Once again, Vancouver come out amped up to start the period. They were physical, they were quick, and they drew a penalty. Dejardin performed a knee-on-knee hit on Edler, and it resulted in a 2 minute minor. Right off the draw, the Sedins started a cycle. The puck wound it's way to Kesler at the point, who one-timed it past Niemi just 59 seconds into the third. A few minutes later, and Bieksa took a terrible penalty. As Luongo stopped the puck, Bieksa decided to finish his check and slammed Couture into the boards. Fortunately, Vancouver was able to kill the penalty, and even managed a few shorthanded chances.
7 minutes into the third, and the Canucks put another one on the scoresheet. After Higgins put pressure on Boyle behind the Sharks net, Boyle made a quick pass up the middle, that was intercepted by Kesler. With plenty of time, Kesler turned and blasted a slap shot blocker side on Niemi. Past that, the Sharks pushed harder than they had all night. With 7 minutes left, Desjardins found the loose puck in the Vancouver zone, and hit the post.
And they just. Kept. Coming. Just under 2 minutes left, and the Sharks pull their goalie. After maintaining zone pressure for almost a minute, the worst happened. After Hansen missed the empty net by inches, the Sharks moved back into the zone. After a battle in the corner, Henrik came out with the puck. Instead of getting it out, Henrik passed right into the slot. San Jose had more men there, and took the puck back. After a quick cycle, the puck ended up on net. Though Luongo made the initial save, the puck squeaked between his legs and sat down behind him. Marleau was the only one who saw the puck, and managed to get his stick on it. Tie game, end of regulation. Shots 27-26 Vancouver, hits 35-29.
Just over a minute into OT, and both teams had great chances at either end. Vancouver had one of their shots go off the post, and the Sharks had a shot go off the stanchion and between the legs of Luongo. Thankfully, he was able to squeeze his pads shut, but it was a close one. The first 5 minutes of the OT period was pretty much just that; back and forth chances, with ridiculous saves and lucky bounces either way. After Vancouver had Niemi on his back, the Sharks iced the puck and were stuck with a tired line against the Kesler line. The Sharks were able to clear, and in the process got a 2 on 1 with fresh players. Burns stickhandled down the right wing, and fed Torres with a perfect pass, who roofed it over a sprawling Luongo. Game over, 3-2 Sharks.
Tidbits:
- PP: Able to hold it in for short little spurts, but constantly let it slip down the ice.
- PK: Had problems clearing puck on first 2 chances, but fine after that. Some shorthanded chances on the later penalties.
- Luongo: Absolutely amazing. I've said it before, and unfortunately way more than I should need to, but he was the only reason we made it out of the first two periods alive.
- Penalty Players: Bieksa, Garrison, Weise, Alberts, and Kassian have all taken terrible penalties in these 2 games. It hasn't been too lethal, but the PK can't hold out forever. Playing with fire.
Better effort from the Canucks, but not enough to get them a win. Henrik and Daniel have just been brutal this post season, coughing up the puck like it's lodged in their throat. Vancouver could've walked away with a 2-1 victory had it not been for them, BUT, they didn't deserve it. Luongo, Higgins and Kesler carried the team. Everyone else contributed to the lack of shots, the terrible zone play, and the inability to control the Sharks in general. Unless the Sedins get their crap together, Vancouver will be a 1st round elimination 2 years in a row.
Next game is Sunday, May 5th at 7PM.
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