VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Vancouver Canucks improved their series lead on the St. Louis Blues Friday night with a 3-0 win at General Motors Place.
In a series that is beginning to look as much more like a rivalry match up than the playoffs the game ended with a five-on-five glove dropping brawl.
With both teams receiving a much more realistic helping of penalties than the previous game, it looked as if everyone had found the same page. That page was authored by Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo. Luongo has been criticized at points for his poor play in the post season, but it looks as if this season will be his redemption. Luongo turned away 30 shots from the Blues, giving up no points. In the last two games, Roberto Luongo his given up a total of one goal. That makes his goals against an unbelievable 0.50.
The first period yielded no points despite Vancouver receiving a power play. With a late goal in the first period, Mats Sundin put the Canucks up by a score of 1-0 at the 18:04 mark. At the end of the second period the Canucks were up 1-0, and all anyone could talk about was the play Luongo, who according to his coach Alain Vigneault had probably one of his best games of the year.
Several times Luongo managed to turn away incredible shots with divine play in the crease. The third period saw the most “non-Luongo” action of the game. Alex Burrows scored at 9:46 in the third to place the Canucks up 2-0. Despite the goals allowed St. Louis net minder Chris Mason played very well and nearly matched Luongo save for save.
The end of the game consisted of a Henrik Sedin empty net goal to accompany his brother’s, Daniel’s two assists. The game’s other issue came about after the third goal was scored with 1:24 left in the game,
Vancouver placed their fourth line on the ice. The result that followed was a brawl involving the brutes of Vancouver and the “Baby Blues.” St. Louis coach Andy Murray complained his team had his “young guys” on the ice after they scored (the third goal). But they could have sent out Brad Winchester and B.J. Crombeen. St. Louis felt they were instructed by the league there were to be no messages sent at the end of the game.
While “no-fighting” messages may have been sent by the NHL, the brawls were not the deciding factor in the game. Luongo has carried the Caucks who have been out skated and out shot most of the first round to a two game lead over the Blues. If the Blues want to have more success they will need to follow Murray’s instructions to limit Luongo’s “sight-lines”.
The series moves to St. Louis Sunday evening for game three. Observers can expect the Scotttrade Arena to be energized as the Blues will play their first playoff game at home in four years.
Contact john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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