Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks: Huge Disappointment!
Vancouver and most of the hockey world including Montreal fans were bedazzled by what happened at the sold-out Rogers Arena in Canucks hometown when the Canadiens emerged victorious as the smoke settled against the Canucks 3-2. It was unpredictable
by all the critics and something that shut them up real good, when they finally beat the Canucks at their home stadium after nearly eleven years of trying.
Vancouver couldn’t believe what happened when they lost for only the fifth time this season at home and that too against the Canadiens who just came out of a loss against Calgary on Sunday at the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic. Tom Cruise was also there
to witness the baffling defeat from the Canucks management box, of the strongest franchise in the league right now, reminding him of his “Mission Impossible” days.
"It reminded me a lot of the St. Louis game a couple of weeks ago," goalie Roberto Luongo said. "A bad start and just trying to battle back the whole game and falling a little bit short there at the end.
Luongo remained fragile throughout the game, making only 22 saves in comparison to rival Carey Price who managed 37 from a total 39. Even though Montreal had half the shot attempts in the final two stages of the match in contrast to Vancouver.
"I really wanted that puck. That was the only one I've wanted all year," an emotional Price said. "I've watched the Canucks my whole life being from B.C., and getting an opportunity to play against them and actually win here is pretty special."
David Desharnais and Brian Gionta both scored a little over a minute apart in the first period, raising hope for the Canadiens early on with 2-0 at the end. It might have been their being on the edge, only winning once in their past seven games was
a factor that made them perform to the limit, coach Alain Vigneault observed. The premier player for the Canucks, Ryan Kesler has been struggling in the past few games now, but opened up an opportunity for teammate Henrik Sedin by distracting Price for their
first goal.
"For whatever reason, our battle level wasn't there," Kesler said of them taking an early lead. "After those 10 minutes I thought we dominated the game, but you've got to give it to their goalie." Price was also noted to have come mentally prepared
for the match, planning everything ahead of time was one of the factors for his success.
The crowd showed immense joy on their first goal, when Sedin slashed the lead 2-1 in the opening minutes of the second period. Andrei Kostitsyn hushed the crowd by re-directing Lars Eller’s shot mid-way through, making it the game winning shot. It
was one of only four attempts made in the second period, ten less than the hosting team.
Montreal played real hard to secure the match, when they killed a penalty which had resulted in a 5-3 man advantage for the Canucks near the closing minutes of the second period.
As playoffs come closer and closer, Vancouver is losing its lead from other teams, it still remains number 1, but for how long, only their coming games will decide that. Detroit and Philadelphia aren’t far behind and are looking to topple the Canucks
fast. They go on to face the St. Louis Blues at home, a team that has also previously caused disappointment to them.
This was a big win for the Canadiens, just coming out of a shutout against Calgary. It will be something that they can build on and gain motivation from, knowing that they can easily defeat big rivals when truly determined. Returning home from a 3
game road trip, they host the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes in the final two matches of this month.
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