The Buzz:
The Vancouver Canucks are one win away from eliminating the St. Louis Blues after a 3-2 Sunday win in Missouri to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western conference quarterfinal.
First Blue:
Blue Brad Boyes beat Alexander Edler and Willie Mitchell before David Backes hammered the puck in just over three minutes into the game.
Matt-O:
Mattias Ohlund’s shot through Chris Mason’s legs on a power play in the eighth minute equalized. Just over two minutes later, St. Louis’ Jay McKee teed up the puck for Daniel Sedin to angle it in on a goalmouth scramble for the lead.
Mickey-D:
David Perron’s pass to Andy McDonald at an acute angle with almost four minutes left fooled both Kyle Wellwood and Roberto Luongo to tie the game again. Hey, Wellwood’s not a defenseman!
Three’s a charm:
Steve Bernier scored the winner with the Canucks’ third power play goal after Henrik Sedin picked up a Sami Salo rebound from the end boards. Brandon Crombeen was in the sin bin with a roughing penalty assessed at the end of the second.
The killers:
Canucks killed a five-on-three disadvantage midway through the third and disallowed the Blues on all six of their power play chances.
Mats misses:
Mats Sundin, who had the game-winning goal in Friday’s 3-0 shutout, did not start because of a groin injury. The comeback of Paul Kariya (hip) was delayed until game four.
Towels:
Blues’ fans were waving towels in Scottrade Center. The 1982 Canucks made it a hockey tradition. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with their “terrible towel,” predated the Canucks by seven years.
Saved:
High definition was brought to you by Save-on-Foods. Recession-wary CBC was planning on broadcasting in cheaper standard definition until the supermarket chain upped its advertising ante.
Next:
The Canucks can end the series if they win Tuesday night in St. Louis (5 p.m. Team 1040/CBC).
