CANUCKS COME FROM BEHIND TO TAKE GAME 1

GOAL SCORERS

SJS:   J. Thornton (18:47 - 1st) , P. Marleau (PPG, 08:44 - 2nd)

VAN:   M. Lapierre (01:49 - 2nd) , K. Bieksa (07:02 - 3rd) , H. Sedin (PPG, 08:21 - 3rd)

GOALIES

SJS: A. Niemi (L)

 VAN: R. Luongo (W)

         Last night in Vancouver, the Canucks break was over and it was time to play hockey as they were looking for a 1-0 series lead. With over 2 minutes to play in the first, Luongo came out to play the puck and he played it right to Joe Thornton and he put it home to make it 1-0 Sharks after 1. Early in the second, Hansen had the puck behind the Sharks net and he played the puck in front right to Lapierre who scored to tie the game. 1 minute later, Burrows came in the Sharks zone and took a hard shot but it was stopped by Niemi. With over 11 minutes to play in the second, the Sharks went on the powerplay. On the powerplay, Boyle got the puck at the point and took a shot, it was tipped past Luongo by Marleau to give the Sharks the lead.

          With under 3 minutes to play in the second, there was a mad scramble around Anti Niemi, but Niemi was able to make 5 saves on that play. On the next play, Torres played the puck to Hansen and he had a partial breakaway and he was stopped by Niemi.So the Sharks took a 2-1 lead into the third period. Early in the third, Boyle got the puck at the point and took a shot, that was stopped by Luongo, but the rebound went right to Thornton in the slot and his backhander was stopped by Luongo again. 6 minutes later, the Canucks came in on the attack and Henrik Sedin played the puck to Burrows and he found Bieksa (who snuck in from the point) and he one timed it past Niemi to tie the game.

         Then the Canucks had a powerplay just 30 seconds after the goal. Kesler had the puck at the top of the left circle, he played it to Ehrof and he played it down low to Sedin who cut in front on the net and backhanded the puck past Niemi to give the Canucks the lead. That was 2 goals in 1 minute and 19 seconds by the Canucks to grab a 3-2 lead. That would be the final, as the Canucks protect home ice by taking a 1-0 series lead."We're here to score goals and produce," said Henrik.I think a lot of games we played well and had our chances, but pucks haven't gone our way. "

        The Canucks were battling hard all game.  They controlled the play, they were blocking shots, Luongo made key saves (27 saves) and they lead in shots (38-29). If the Canucks play like this the whole series, it will be a quick one. Game 2 of this series will be Wednesday night at 6:00 pm P.t and 9:00 pm E.t on CBC, Versus and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.S:  The only game I won't write about in this series will be Game 4