The last time these 2 teams met, Calgary dished out a 4-2 spanking in Vancouver, over a month ago. Since then, their top defenceman and their captain have been traded away. Vancouver saw Raymond and Weise return to the lineup, both missed games due to shoulder injuries. As a result, Pinizzotto and Jensen were scratched. Top 2 lines didn't change, Higgins and Hansen with Roy, and the Sedins with Burrows. Raymond played with Kassian and Ebbett on the 3rd, while Lappiere centred between Sestito and Weise on the 4th. No change on the defensive lines.
34 seconds in, Daniel Sedin caught Giordano pinching on the blueline, and poked the puck to Burrows, who was rushing down the right wing. Burrows tossed it to Hamhuis on the rush, who tapped it past a sprawling Kiprusoff. Moments later, Cammalleri hit the post coming down the wing. Schneider was forced to be sharp on that shift, stopping 3 or 4 in close before finally getting control of the puck. For whatever reason, Kassian and Jackman decided this would be the perfect time to fight. Few good punches, but it turned into a wrestling match that the refs broke up. If that wasn't random enough, Sestito and McGrattan decided to drop the gloves 30 seconds later. Sestito got his butt handed to him on a sliver platter and took an instigator penalty, but on the plus side: was out of the way for a full 5 minutes.
Vancouver doubled their lead soon after, after a good cycle by the fourth line. Lappiere on the sideboards found Garrison at the point, whose shot tipped twice and went in. The goal was officially given to Garrison, but the replay shows it hit Weise before it went in. Towards the end of the period, Tanev took a hit in the corner from McGrattan. He stayed on the ice to make a clearing pass, but was in obvious pain. He limped to the bench, and went straight to the dressing room. Less than a minute later, Stajan fed Wideman on the rush. Wideman faked a slapper, then wristed it past a frozen Schneider. Calgary almost tied it seconds later, as Huddler hit the post from the left wing. Period ended with the Canucks up 2-1, but down in shots 15-8. Could have easily been 3-2 Calgary if the post shots had gone in, or worse if Schneider hadn't been sharp.
Weise was given credit for the 2-0 goal at the beginning of the period, with Garrison and Lappiere getting the helpers. Tanev also returned from the dressing room, looked a little sore still. Calgary picked up right where they left off in the first, at Tanguay hit outside of the post just seconds in. All 4 lines continued to play like they had a 4-0 lead, and gave up pucks like they were going out of style. It's a freaking miracle that Calgary didn't blow the game open, and the Canucks just got plain lucky. 7 and a half in, Henrik and Daniel moved the puck into the Calgary zone, and eventually left Daniel behind the net. Daniel attempted a wraparound, Kiprusoff wasn't able to retain the rebound, and Burrows shoved the loose puck 5 hole.
The Sedins had a few good shifts towards the end of the period, and one great one over 90 seconds long, but nothing to show for it until Jackman took a penalty on Bieksa with 30 seconds left. Henrik won the draw, and it found it's way to Edler on the point, who wired it 5 hole on Kiprusoff with Hansen in front. Through 40 minutes, Canucks up 4-1, despite being outshot 24-18 and being thoroughly outplayed for a period and a half.
Nothing truly spectacular in the first 10 minutes, but both sides were actually pushing in this period. It wasn't until about the 11 minute mark that someone potted a goal. Stajan hit Tanguay just outside the blueline, and he burst past the Canucks defense. Tanguay moved left to right, opened up Schneiders pads, and slid it 5 hole. 4-2, 9 minutes to play. Calgary all but dominated the end portion of the game, but Schneider kept the Canucks up 2 goals. 30 seconds left, Bieksa takes a penalty for boarding, faceoff in the Vancouver zone. Daniel and Henrik forced a turnover, and Henrik buried it. Game over, 5-2 Canucks.
Tidbits:
- PP: 1/2 First chance was 6 seconds long thanks to a Daniel Sedin penalty, second chance was 4 seconds long because Elder has a wicked point shot. Not much to analyze.
- PK: 5/5 Numbers not indicative of play. Constantly let Calgary run around them, let them right in the middle and take as many shots as they wanted.
- Sestito: Sometimes I think the only reason they dress him is so Kassian doesn't do something stupid and fight someone 50 pounds heavier than him. Thing is: Sestito hasn't won a fight all season, is terrible in his own weight class. Seems like he doesn't really wanna fight either.
- Hank and Dank: Fantastic play, easily one of their best games of the season. Combined for 6 points total. Closest I've seen to classic Sedin play.
No comments:
Post a Comment