Let Down Game in Big D
The Vancouver Canucks jumped out to an early lead during Sunday’s second period against the Dallas Stars but slipped up late, blowing a late lead in a 3-2 overtime loss.
Trade bait Steve Ott has a strong game and set up the eventual game winner after the Stars successfully pushed to tie the game late in the third in Dallas.
The Hat Trick
No Laughing Matter
Head Coach Alain Vigneault was in fits over a specific bit of Vernon Fiddler’s beaking with Kevin Bieksa in the first period, but wasn’t laughing later in the game after his team faded away against the Stars.
Ryan Kesler ripped home his 19th of the season and Mason Raymond reaped the rewards of poor goaltending, extending Vancouver’s lead to two halfway through the second period.
The lead seemed to build a false sense of security with the team, allowing the Canucks to become complacent before the Stars came storming back on Sunday.
Ryder’s Rocket
Familiar foe Michael Ryder wired home his 25th of the season for the Stars, converting a feed from Mike Ribeiro during a late second period power play. After helping defeat the Canucks in last year’s Stanley Cup Final Ryder proved he still remembers how to elude Roberto Luongoon Sunday.
The Canucks came up with a soft game against the Stars. - (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Ryder’s tally to bring the home team within striking distance became crucial during the late stages of a controversial third period in Dallas.
Cold Call
Late in the third period after the Canucks had casually sent the puck down the ice Stephane Robidas took a slow and steady approach to retrieve the puck, resulting in a generous icing call. The call and resulting faceoff in Vancouver’s zone allowed the Stars to set Mike Ribeiro for the frustrating final goal of regulation time.
Needless to say Alain Vigneault wasn’t smiling much after the early comedy on Sunday.
V’s Thoughts
The Canucks came up with a soft game against the Stars, relying on a pair of second period goals to prop up an early lead, only to blow it with a flat final 25 minutes.
The late icing call against the Canucks was unlucky and costly, but the Canucks still had their chance to take matters in their own hands and failed to do so.
I’d rather the team learn a lesson on late game focus now at the cost of a regular season point rather than later during a playoff game in the spring.
Quote
“Alain, cheer up!” John Shorthouse’s sarcastic first period comment poking fun at Alain Vigneault was oddly appropriate after all was said and done on Sunday.
Three Stars
1st. Mike Ribeiro- GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 0
2nd. Ryan Kesler- GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 0
3rd. Loui Eriksson- GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 1
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Dallas 3, Vancouver 2
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 26, 2012
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Referees: Dennis LaRue, Brad Meier
Linesmen: Jean Morin, Don Henderson
Attendance: 18010
About Kevin Vanstone
