Vancouver Canucks recovers and shutouts Boston Bruins 1-0 in Game 5 –NHL Stanley Cup Finals Update
After two consecutive losses at the TD Centre in Boston, Vancouver Canucks recovered as the series returned to the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, and shutout the once energised Boston Bruins by 1-0 in Game 5 of the 2011 National Hockey League
(NHL) Stanley Cup Finals’ series.
It was two straight embarrassing losses that Canucks had to endure in Boston, 8-1 in Game 3 and 4-0 in Game 4. The home-ice advantage really seems to work as Canucks did the exact opposite the moment it returned home and put Boston on the verge of elimination.
The Stanley Cup Finals have taken a turn in favour of Vancouver Canucks, who now have to only win only one of the remaining two games.
Even if Vancouver loses Game 6 in Boston on Monday, it will have the chance to raise the cup at home for the first time in Game 7.
Roberto Luongo certainly gave off some sparks of victory even before the game started which gave Canucks a sudden boost of confidence.
"There was something about him before the game", said Vancouver’s defenseman, Kevin Bieksa, who assisted the sole goal of the game. "He just seemed so comfortable, so confident. He was vocal, and usually he's not a vocal guy. We thought it would be something
special".
Canucks’ coach, Alain Vigneault’s, decision to continue playing Luongo even after he was ejected in Game 4 paid off as the veteran goalkeeper blocked all 31 shots taken by Boston perfectly for his second shutout of the series.
Tim Thomas faced 25 shots throughout the crucial 60-minute time frame and managed to save 24.
"(Luongo) knows that we believe in him", Vancouver’s forward, Alex Burrows, said. "He's unreal. We have so much confidence in him, and he doesn't listen to what people outside this locker room say. We know he's the best goalie in the league".
It was Canucks’ right winger, Maxim Lapierre, who scored his second of the postseason and the game winner on Friday night around 5 minutes into the third period as Kevin Bieksa’s missed shot came right in front of his stick.
Boston missed four power-play opportunities during the game which were crucial moments in taking an early lead but Vancouver still remains as one of the best penalty killing teams in the league.
Game 6 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals is scheduled to be played on Monday at the TD Center in Boston between Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins, both giving it all that they have to make history by lifting the Stanley Cup.
The Stanley Cup will be present in the stadium which makes it an even tenser situation between both teams than it already is.
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