A win is a win is win
The Blue Jackets gave the Vancouver Canucks all they could handle on Saturday, but couldn’t keep up with Daniel Sedin and Vancouver’s dynamic scoring attack in a 4-3 loss on Hockey Night in Canada.
Vinny Prospal opened the scoring with a shot through the legs of Cory Schneider and the Canucks responded with two of their own in the first period, establishing a lead that would last all night.
The Hat Trick
Daniel’s Deuce
The struggles of Henrik and Daniel Sedin have been headline news in Vancouver, but after a pair of points from both twins on Saturday the scoreless streaks are well in the rear-view in Vancouver.
Daniel snapped a pair of goals past Steve Mason, putting home the go-ahead goal in the first period only to add a late game-winner on the power play in the third.
Edler End-To-End
Alex Edler had an erratic game on Saturday, flying around all ends of the rink in just under 20 minutes of ice time against the Blue Jackets. The smooth Swedish defenceman tallied a goal, assist, and five shots on Steve Mason but still managed to record a -2 rating on the night.
Edler’s end-to-end power play goal on Mason during the second period Saturday was a thing of beauty.
The blue liner rallied around his own net and charged straight through four Columbus penalty killers, leaving Derek Dorsett and a pair of defenceman dumbfounded by the defensive breakdown.
Just Jack
Despite a rough change of scenery Jack Johnson continues to perform for the Blue Jackets after being traded at the deadline. Johnson ripped home his 11th of the season past Cory Schneideron Saturday, keeping Columbus within one after Alex Edler’s highlight reel rush established a two-goal gap.
A Vancouver sight for sore eyes. - (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)
James Wisniewski added another blue line blast last in the third period, making the final four minutes more dramatic for the Rogers Arena crowd anticipating the home team’s first win in three games.
V’s Thoughts
Cory Schneider wasn’t his best on Saturday, but made key saves late in order to keep the Canucks ahead of the pressing Blue Jackets.
When Schneider wasn’t in position Sami Salo had the net covered, making a key block from the crease as his goaltender sprawled in the blue paint.
Quote
“Yeah, something like that.” Alex Edler stayed humble when asked about his partying of the red sea on the rush during a second period power play Saturday.
Three Stars
1st. Alex Edler - GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 5| PLUS/MINUS: -2
2nd. Jack Johnson - GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 4| PLUS/MINUS: 3
3rd. David Booth - GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 2| PLUS/MINUS: 1
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Vancouver 4, Columbus 3
When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 17, 2012
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Stephen Walkom, Rob Martell
Linesmen: Brian Mach, Mike Cvik
Attendance: 18890
About Kevin Vanstone
