Now for something completely different…
Two games away from the NHL’s second season the Vancouver Canucks couldn’t muster the appropriate effort in Calgary, dropping the second-last game of the season to the Flames in a 3-2 loss.
Cory Schneider took a rare loss and Curtis Glencross gave the Flames an early lead in the third period, allowing mid-season acquisition Mike Cammalleri to put home his second goal of the game giving the home team an all-important insurance goal.
The Hat Trick
Burrows’ Big Move
Alex Burrows broke through with the opening goal of the game on Thursday, breaking in on Miikka Kiprusoff shorthanded to give the Canucks the lead with his patented backhand breakaway move.
The Flames played an underwhelming first few minutes, allowing Burrows to sneak away shorthanded after the Canucks lulled Calgary into a false sense of security throughout the first few minutes.
It would be nice to see a goaltender stop Burrows’ patented move just once, I’m beginning to wonder if he has even bothered developing another deke for his repertoire.
Cammalleri Clinches
Mike Cammalleri buried a pair of goals against the Canucks on Thursday, parking himself in front of the net for prime position for a pair of points.
The diminutive forward snuck free from Kevin Bieksa in front of Cory Schneider, slipping a backhand rebound past the backup to tie the game early in the third period. After Curtis Glencross gave the Flames the lead halfway through the third Cammalleri converted another easy tap-in to give extend the home lead to two.
Cammalleri’s second goal turned out to be an important after the Flames allowed too much time for the visiting Canucks to come back.
Hardworking Hansen
Jannik Hansen had a solid game on Vancouver’s third line Thursday against the Flames, generating a goal and four shots in under 14 minutes of play against the Flames.
Not a great night for Gragnani was it? - (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)
Hansen lifted a third period rebound in a hurry, bringing the Canucks within one after Calgary had taken a two goal lead on the strength of Mike Cammalleri’s second of the game.
Hansen, Chris Higgins and Samuel Pahlsson will only become more important as the Canucks transition into the post-season in early April.
V’s Thoughts
The Vancouver Canucks brought another lack-lustre effort against the Flames on Thursday, resulting in the first of a few deserved losses over the last several games. After escaping with a shootout win over Calgary over the weekend tonight’s loss was an appropriate result for the hardworking home team.
Quote
Blogger Alix Wright summed it up best. Despite Vancouver’s setback in pursuit of the Presidents’ Trophy tonight’s two points was meaningless.
Oh my gosh no! Not a meaningless loss to a non playoff team! Whatever will we do!
— Alix (@alixiswright37) April 6, 2012
Other good tweets tonight (Tootin my and Q’s horns)
Lapierre versus the entire #Flames bench, fantastic.
— Kevin Vanstone (@KevinVanstone) April 6, 2012
I don’t really feel bad 4 Cody Hodgson He gets a long summer off, he gets to golf, fish, go to Blue Jays games and hang out in Buffalo. #JOY
— Northwest SportsBeat (@NWSportsBeat) April 6, 2012
Three Stars
1st. Mike Cammalleri - GOALS: 2| PTS: 2| ASST: 0 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 2
2nd. Alex Burrows - GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: -1
3rd. Cory Sarich - GOALS: 0| PTS: 0| ASST: 0 SOG: 1| PLUS/MINUS: 2
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Calgary 3, Vancouver 2
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Referees: Eric Furlatt, Frederic L’Ecuyer
Linesmen: Jay Sharrers, Shane Heyer
Attendance: 19289
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About Kevin Vanstone
