 Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (L) looks for the puck as the Canucks Willie Mitchell (8) and St. Louis Blues forward David Backes (42) battle for the puck during the first period of game three of the teams' NHL Western Conference quarterfinal playoff hockey game in St. Louis, Missouri April 19, 2009. (REUTERS) |
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).