One Game Late – But Still A Beauty!
The Vancouver Canucks completed an epic last minute comeback and snapped Detroit’s 23-game home winning streak in a 4-3 shootout victory at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday.
Daniel Sedin slammed home his 28th of the season with only 16 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the game, allowing linemate Alex Burrows to bury his patented backhand winner in the third round of the shootout the clinch the win.
The Hat Trick
Helm’s Hard Work
Darren Helm took advantage of a brutal giveaway by Kevin Bieksa on the Detroit blue line to give the Red Wings the lead halfway through the first period on Thursday.
Helm formed Detroit’s most dangerous line alongside Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller, generating another key goal for the Red Wings late in the third period. Cody Hodgson benefited from a lucky bounce to pull even with the Red Wins in the final frame, but Abdelkader’s response twenty seconds later restored the home team’s intimidating lead.
Luongo Locks it Down
Roberto Luongo was sensational in Vancouver’s comeback win over the Red Wings, leading the comeback with several phenomenal saves that gave his team a chance to tie the game late.
Again in extra time Luongo came up large, stopping all three shooters in the skills competition to give Alex Burrows a chance to introduce his signature move to Jimmy Howard and the Joe Louis Arena faithful.
Sedins Strike Back
The Sedins both put up a pair of points on Thursday as Vancouver’s top line responded to the tie game twice against Detroit, relying on late-game heroics in front of Jimmy Howard to push the game to overtime.
Daniel Sedinhammered home the tying goal with only 16 seconds remaining after the Red Wings iced the puck, allowing Canucks to have one last crack at the tying goal with the extra attacker on the ice.
Burrows to bury his patented backhand winner in the third. - (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
V’s Thoughts
The Canucks fought back in dramatic fashion to defeat the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena for the first time in 24 games, snapping a league-leading home winning streak that was the story of the NHL heading into tonight’s epic Western Conference clash.
The Canucks may have snapped Detroit’s home streak with the shootout win, but were unable to grab first place in the NHL after allowing the Red Wings to earn the extra point on Thursday.
Quote
“This is what hockey should be. A lot of chances, a lot of hitting, no cheap shots, no chirping after whistles.” Henrik Sedin summed up what was hockey fan heaven Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.
Three Stars
1st. Darren Helm - GOALS: 1| PTS: 3| ASST: 2 SOG: 1| PLUS/MINUS: 2
2nd. Daniel Sedin - GOALS: 2| PTS: 2| ASST: 0 SOG: 8| PLUS/MINUS: 0
3rd. Jimmy Howard - SAVE PCTG: 0.930
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Vancouver 4, Detroit 3
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, February 23, 2012
Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Referees: Kyle Rehman, Dan O’Rourke
Linesmen: Greg Devorski, Jay Sharrers
Attendance: 20066
About Kevin Vanstone
