SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Vancouver Canucks took advantage of Sharks mistakes and win game four of the Western Conference Finals and now lead the series 3-1.
Despite the four power play opportunities in the first period, San Jose could not find a way to solve Roberto Luongo, ending the game with 33 saves. It seemed the Canucks needed some time to warm up for the noon day game.
But if that was the case for the slow start for Vancouver, then the second period they came alive. The Canucks took advantage of San Jose penalties, in three separate occasions, getting a two-man advantage and monopolizing in all three.
Dany Heatley was assessed a high-sticking penalty at 8:15, followed by a hooking penalty to Tory Mitchell at 9:05, giving the Canucks their first five-on-three advantage. It took only ten seconds for Ryan Kessler to hammer a one-timer to the back of the net past Antti Niemi on his blocker side near the post. Sami Salo and Henrik Sedin were credited for the assists.
A too many men on the ice penalty by the Sharks gave Vancouver another 5-on-3 chance.
Salo took the shot from the slot that got past Niemi. Then a delay of game to Douglas Murray gave the Canucks yet another opportunity. Salo sunk the puck from the slot again, giving the Canucks the 3-0 lead. H. Sedin and Daniel Sedin were credited with the assists on the last two goals. Just like that, Vancouver took over the game in less than a two minute time span. Which would ultimately be the game decision.
In the third period, H. Sedin rushed towards the net, with heavy coverage in front of the net by Dan Boyle, Sedin passed under the leg of Neimi in the blue paint to a waiting Alexandre Burrows to wrist the puck in the net behind Niemi and put the Canucks up 4-0 at with 14:17 left in the period.
Joe Thornton took a hard hit late in the period from Raffi Torres and did not return to the ice for the duration of the game.
The Sharks finally answered back with a goal of their own at 7:02. A long slap shot by Kent Huskins that was slightly redirected in the air by Andrew Dejardins stick that went deep in the net. Jamie McGinn was credited with an assist on the goal.
With just over four minutes remaining, Ryan Clowe scored to close the Canucks lead to 4-2. But it wouldn’t be enough for the Sharks, even after pulling Niemi for the additional skater in the last two and half minutes.
The Canucks were victorious in game four. Both teams will be heading back to Vancouver for game five, where the Canucks will have a chance to clinch the finals on Tuesday.
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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