Nashville Predators level series against Vancouver Canucks in double overtime, Game 2 – NHL playoffs
Nashville Predators showed on Saturday in game two that they would not be going down so easily against the League leading Vancouver Canucks. The second game of the National Hockey League playoff semi-finals went into a double overtime before the Predators
emerged victorious 2-1 at the sold out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
It was a head on match between both teams’ goalies as Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne did not let their defence down at any cost. It was an uncompromising situation for both defenders throughout the game, but someone was bound to emerge
out of the dust as a winner. The Predators strategy of taking an opportunity whenever they get a chance worked as they outshot the Canucks 46-33 throughout. Although Luongo played well making 44 of 46 saves but Rinne outperformed him by blocking 32 of 33 attempts.
“It's sudden death and you try to be ready for every single situation, every single shot,” Rinne added after the intense game. “It was easy to stay focused, especially in overtime, it seemed like they were shooting more, and it's always fun when that happens.”
Alex Burrows sent the crowd roaring when he scored the game’s first goal in the opening two minutes of the second period. Burrows, who also scored the two goals including the overtime winner in their final match against Chicago Blackhawks, potted in his
fourth of the postseason when the Canucks were shorthanded on the ice. After a cross-ice pass from teammate Ryan Kesler, Burrows fired his own rebound when it hit Nashville Captain Shea Weber’s skate and went through Rinne.
Both teams controlled their penalties extremely well. Vancouver was penalised four times while Nashville only once to avoid a chance to challenge the defence with an added man advantage.
Ryan Suter washed away Luongo’s hopes of a second consecutive shutout when he scored his first of the season to level the match and force an inevitable overtime with just over a minute remaining in the final period. The crowd was on the edge of their seats
when Vancouver looked to be taking the match but Suter stunned the crowd with his equalising goal.
Nashville fell short on the power play advantage during the first overtime and missed another chance in double overtime. Matt Halischuk gave Nashville the game when he scored in the second overtime extension at the 14:51 mark which tied the Western Conference
semi-final series.
“I was just trying to get it off as hard and quick as I could,” Halischuk said. “Tried to pick my spot and luckily it went in.”
The Predators are excited to return home for game three on Tuesday which will give them a chance to gain the lead against the Canucks.
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