Canucks vs Avalanche, Mar 28/13

And the Canucks bad luck continues, as Keith Ballard has been placed on the already enormous injury list, with a fractured foot. Fortunately, Steve Pinizzotto made a return, after being sidelined with a mystery illness. So, the only line change was that Pinizzotto played with Ebbett and Higgins on the 3rd line. Barker was replaced by Alberts on the 3rd defensive pairing.

One could only hope that this game would be just a little more exciting than Tuesday's match against the Blue Jackets. I was not disappointing. Less than 5 minutes in, the Sedins struck. From the left faceoff circle, Daniel backhanded a pass to the other circle, right onto the tape of Henrik. Henrik threw a pass through a few pairs of feet, and found Burrows, who snapped it past Varlamov. Those first 5 minutes were easily the best that the Sedins have looked in quite some time, but it ended just as quickly as it began.

Past that first goal, the Canucks passing turned it to what can only be described as ***(censored for your safety)***. Furthermore, I thought one of the best players on the ice for the Canucks in the first, was Andrew Alberts (Asides from Schneider, of course). Yep, pretty awful.  Vancouver let the Av's take 10 straight shots without registering one of their own. The only thing that stopped Colorado from tying the game was some goaltending brilliance by Schneider. First period ended with the Canucks up 1-0, shots 11-8. Vancouver was outhit 11-2.

More of the same in the 2nd, as the Canucks continued to turn the puck over and failed to maintain any zone pressure. The only excitement came with 6 minutes left in the period, when Pinizzotto and Ebbett collided in the Colorado zone. Ebbett was slow to his feet, and limped slowly to the bench. He returned without missing a shift, but we all made a huge deal out of it because this game felt like a replay of Tuesdays game. Still 1-0 through 40 minutes, shots 21-15 for Colorado. Only 1 regulation goal in the last 5 periods at Rogers Arena (courtesy of Hosea Chung), simply a testament to how boring these past few games have been.

4 minutes in, and the Avalanche made this snooze fest a little interesting. Parenteau dig the puck out from behind the net, and found a wide open Duchene in front, who buried it over a sprawling Schneider. Realizing that they didn't have an 8-1 lead, the Canucks attempted to turn up the heat. Just moments later, Daniel's pass found Bieksa in front, but it bounced, and he wiffed on it. With 7 and a bit left in the third, the Canucks struck. Hamhuis found Burrows on the sideboards, who snapped a quick pass to Daniel at the faceoff circle. Daniels shot went 5 hole past a screened Varlamov, and may have been tipped by Henrik. Regardless, 2-1 Canucks. Henrik and Higgins both potted empty netters, sealing the deal with about a minute and a half left.

Kind of funny how this game ended 4-1 Vancouver, when it was truly one of the worst games of the season.


Tidbits:

 - PP: Zip for zip. No chances, no analysis.
 - PK: 1/1. Ehhh. Kept the puck out of the net, but left the sides open.
 - Schneider: As always, incredible. Saved the Canucks butt's more than once.

Next game is Saturday in Edmonton at 7.