Vancouver Canucks shutout Nashville Predators by 1-0 in Game 1: NHL Play-offs Recap
The Vancouver Canucks opened up the semi-finals on a high note as they shutout the Nashville Predators 1-0 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semi-finals. Roberto Luongo gave the sold out crowd something to scream about as he blocked all 20 goal attempts at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia on Thursday.
It was the first game of the 2011 National Hockey League play-off semi-finals and Vancouver proved that they are a dominating force. If Luongo can keep on goal-tending for them, they will be into the Conference finals in no time. Luongo made key saves during the final period including a breakaway by Nashville’s Mike Fisher which nearly tied it up.
The Vancouver goalie registered his third shutout of his post-season career and second of these play-off series alone. His first of the current postseason was also in a game one, when they entered the quarter-finals against the defending Stanley Cup champions Chicago.
The rival's goalie, Pekka Rinne, made 29 spectacular saves himself, but fell short on an attempt in the second period, which would later on prove to be the game-winner. Rinne remained a key-player for the Predators throughout the quarter-finals against the Anaheim Ducks, whom they eliminated in Game 6 on Sunday.
Both teams gave 10 minutes of power-play time to each other throughout the match, but either team was unable to capitalise on an opportunity. Vancouver took shot after shot and had 10 more attempts than the Predators who looked to be a little home sick after a long rest.
Christopher Higgins scored the only goal of the match in favour of the Vancouver Canucks at the 12:14 mark in the second period. Higgins shot had to be reviewed numerous times after he began to celebrate the goal as the puck went in and out of the net so quickly, it was hard to notice. After reviewing, the officials signalled the goal that would eventually give them the game. Vancouver forward Maxim Lapierre fed a long pass to Higgins for his second goal of the season.
The Canucks and Predators go head-to-head for game two at the Rogers Arena on Saturday which is sure to be a highly thrilling matchup between the two Western Conference giants.
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