VANCOUVER , B.C. – The Canucks were victorious in game one of the Western Conference Finals against the San Jose Sharks at home with a final score of 3-2. Joe Thornton scored the opening goal of the game late in the first period. Goalie Roberto Luongo was out of position going after the puck behind his net, but as he passed to one of his teammates outside the circle, Thornton intercepted the puck for a quick wrist shot before Luongo could get back into position at 18:47 into the period. The Sharks were up 1-0 as they went into the break. Early in the second period, at the 1:49 mark, Canucks Maxim Lapierre beat Antti Niemi for a goal to even the score. Jannik Hansen had the puck behind the net then fed it up to a waiting Lapierre, who was in front of the net, then with a quick wrist shot, he dumped it in the net. The Sharks Patrick Marleau scored his second game in a row; a long slap shot that beat Luongo glove side on a power play, to again give the Sharks the 2-1 lead at 8:44 into the period. The remaining second period was intense, but scoreless, as both goaltenders made incredible saves. During an extensive session in front of the Sharks net, Niemi managed unbelievable acrobatics to stop shot after shot. The third period was the turning point, as they began their come back. At 7:02, Kevin Bieksa redirected a shot from Alexandre Burrows into the net, near the far post. Then a second goal, during a four on five advantage, at 8:21 on a shot by Christian Erhoff from the blue line to Henrik Sedin, who hesitated then slipped the puck past Niemi from low in the slot to give the Canucks the 3-2 lead and rouse the fans. Despite several scoring chances, the Sharks could not solve Luongo again. Niemi had 35 saves, while Luongo gets the win with 27 saves. Game two is Tuesday in Vancouver. Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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