VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Canucks now appear to be in the habit of overcoming early deficits. On Wednesday night they staked the San Jose Sharks to an early 1-0 lead and then stormed back to take a 2-0 series lead.
The knockout punch came in the third period when the Canucks put their collective foot to the pedal and rolled over an unraveling Sharks club.
Kevin Bieksa scored off a well-played rush up ice for the second time in the series, lighting a fire under the Vancouver bench.
“There’s opportunities in a game where you can jump up in the play,” Bieksa said of the play. “That was one. When there was the opportunity to make an odd-man rush, you go. All six of us have the green light to do that. It was just a set play drawn up for a breakout. There was some open ice and I just took it.”
Bieksa also finished the night with an assist and a fight. More commonly known as the Gordie Howe hat trick.
The Sedins were again a major force in this western conference finals series. Daniel Sedin scored twice on the power play and Henrik Sedin pitched in three assists. Chris Higgins and Dan Hamhuis each chipped in with three points on the night.
I think our power-play was clicking pretty good tonight,” said Daniel Sedin after the game. “I think that was the main thing. I thought we played better in the first game. But tonight we were fortunate to get a goal there. But, I mean, it’s a good team over there. They like to attack. It opens up things a little bit. But I said it before, it’s still a very good defensive team.”
Defenseman Aaron Rome potted his first career playoff goal.
The series now switches to San Jose where the Sharks need to get their mojo back to compete in this series.
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