Vancouver Canucks edge past Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3: NHL Recap
Daniel Sedin hit the net twice and had an assist to lift the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks in Western Conference quarter-final series, at the Rogers Arena on Friday night.
"It was good to get the victory in both home games because that is a championship team over there," said Daniel Sedin. "We've been staying out of the box and that has been key for us."
Jannik Hansen and Alexander Edler both also lit the lamp for Vancouver, which had dropped against the Blackhawks in the past two seasons. Roberto Luongo turned away 23 shots to earn the victory.
Ben Smith found the back of the net twice and Viktor Stalberg notched the other goal for Chicago, which had won five consecutive play-off contests in Vancouver. Corey Crawford was dented for all four goals on 27 shots in the losing effort.
The Canucks got on the board first just 7 ½ minutes into the opening period. The goal was set up by Daniel Sedin, who controlled the puck behind Chicago net and slipped a pass to the front, where Hansen fired a one-timer into the net.
Daniel Sedin then gave Canucks a two-goal edge, 2-0, just thirty seconds into the middle session. The play was set up by Christian Ehrhoff, who ripped a shot on net and Daniel deflected it home with a left point blast shot.
The Blackhawks sliced the deficit in half, 2-1, with about five minutes remaining in the second period. The goal came when Bryan Bickell rushed into the zone down the left wing and the swept it out from the low circle to the front, where Smith jammed it home.
The Canucks restored their two-goal advantage, 3-1, again with just 14 seconds left in the second period, as Edler blasted a left point shot that was accidentally tipped by Smith past his own goalie.
However, Chicago made it 3-2 game just two minutes into the final period. It happened so when a Canucks’ miscue in their own end saw Stalberg grab the puck at the right circle and bang a snap shot past Luongo to the short side.
Crawford made a spectacular save on a Ryan Kesler’s wide-open look from down low, but Daniel Sedin struck again to give the Canucks a 4-2 lead midway through the third period. He held control on the puck in his own zone, skated through the middle and slammed a wrist-shot into the net.
The Blackhawks didn't give up and again made it a one-goal game, 4-3, with 7 ½ minutes left in the third period. The play was set up by Michael Frolik, who released a shot on net from the right point that Luongo saved, but the rebound trickled out to the left side, where Smith buried it into the net.
Chicago continued to put pressure and had several chances, but Luongo came up with the big saves to secure the Canucks’ lead.
Tags: