Canucks Defeat the Jets 2-1; Luongo Injured

It was a sloppy game most of the night.  The Canucks were playing their fourth game in six nights and fatigue became a major factor.  This victory propels the Canucks to 22-11-6 (50 pts) which is fourth best in the Pacific Division, and sixth best in the Western Conference.

Vancouver had a territorial advantage in the first period.  They received an unlikely powerplay tally from Brad Richardson as the powerplay was about to expire.  He won the faceoff back to Dan Hamhuis who fired the puck at the net, and Richardson was able to deflect it with his stick past Ondrej Pavelec.

With 3:30 to go in the first period, Roberto Luongo was seen stretching his leg in the crease.  Just before, he and old foe Dustin Byfuglien had a minor collision in the crease and Luongo felt something pull.  He did not return to the game and handed the net duty over to Chicago shootout hero Eddie Lack during the next TV timeout.

The Jets had more chances in the second period as Eddie Lack remained strong in the net.  Evander Kane would tally a powerplay goal for the Jets halfway through the period as the Canucks could not complete a clear out of the defensive zone.

The Canucks regained some momentum in the third period as they took the territorial advantage back from the Jets.  The game deciding goal came from another unlikely player named Chris Tanev.  David Booth carried the puck across the blueline and made a nice pass to Zack Kassian who shot the puck wide and circled the net.  Kassian followed that up with a pass from behind the redline to the top of the circle to a waiting Chris Tanev.  Tanev fired a wrist shot toward the net and the puck went in!  Pavelec never saw the puck as he was screened by a fellow Jets teammate.

Dan Hamhuis led all skaters in icetime with 25:57.  Eddie Lack stopped 15 of 16 Jets shots.  Ondrej Pavelec stopped 23 of 25 Canucks shots.  

John Tortorella was very upbeat during his post game press conference.  He was proud of the way the team showed guts.  Torts spoke very highly of Chris Tanev and said he has been one of the most consistent defensemen this season.

Happy Holidays! Until next time, stay classy! -George