Los Angeles Kings stun Vancouver Canucks with Game 5 elimination 2-1 in OT -NHL Playoffs Update
The Los Angeles-Vancouver 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Quarterfinal series had to be one of the biggest upsets in history as the Kings ousted and eliminated last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, Canucks, with a 2-1
overtime victory on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at the sold-out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Vancouver ended off the 2011-2012 NHL regular season not only topping the Western Conference but winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight time and losing in the opening round definitely baffled a lot of people.
"It probably means a lot more to other people being a big upset and them being the Presidents' Trophy winner," Kings captain, Dustin Brown, said. "For this team it was what we were going for the whole time."
Nearly 19,000 fans were geared up in the Rogers Arena to witness their team win their second straight matchup after going down 3-0 in the opening playoff series but Canucks just could not get the job done.
"You've got to give credit to the Kings," Canucks coach, Alain Vigneault, said. "They played a real great series, a real tough opponent, played strong hockey, made the strong plays on the ice and, at the end of the day, they deserved to win."
Cory Schneider was in the net for his third consecutive opening instead of Roberto Luongo, after the veteran chocked in his opening two matchups. The young goalie made 35 saves but still was not as impressive as a near shutout from Jonathan Quick’s side
as he blocked 26 of 27.
We had expectations and hopes to go far in this playoff," Schneider said.
Henrik Sedin got Vancouver off to a great start after the home team killed off two penalties and capitalised on a power play chance of their own at 14:04.
Canucks failed to add any more in regulation while Brad Richardson made the third period equaliser and Jarret Stoll stole the match in overtime with the game-winner.
Los Angeles Kings are also looking hot now as they made Ottawa Senators the only Canadian team to be in a postseason series at the moment. They will now be taking on St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
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