Game 26: You Decide!
The American Express line broke out in a big way against the Calgary Flames in a dominating 5-1 victory for the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
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Ryan Kesler, Chris Higgins and David Booth all contributed three points as the home team took advantage of the exhausted visitors in a convincing win, taking over the game as it progressed.
The Flames struck first on the score sheet with a perfect bank-in off the rear of Roberto Luongo, but were unable to build upon the early lead.
As Canucks fans have seen in the past, Luongo is viciously vulnerable to pucks thrown at him from behind the red line but was able to refocus his game after the early gaff.
Canucks have NICE 3rd period vs. Flames - (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)
Lucky for Luongo it wouldn’t take long for his team to take over the contest after a slow first period left a sour taste in the home team’s mouth.
Vancouver’s second line dominated the second half of Sunday’s game, earning all three stars in the affair.
Calgary goaltender Henrik Karlsson had an especially tough night in net for the Flames, allowing five goals on 32 shots before leaving the game due to injury.
Cody Hodgson’s seemingly harmless drive to the net in the third period knocked Karlsson’s legs awkwardly out of position in the first of two crease crashes on Sunday, forcing the goaltender out of the game.
David Booth was so jacked up on his line’s scoring success he decided to welcome Mikka Kiprusoff to the game with a net drive of his own that was unfortunately reminiscent of Jordin Tootoo’s latest stunt.
Booth’s bold drive exemplified Vancouver’s energy and hustle on Sunday; the Flames hardly stood a chance in their third game in four nights.
V’s Thoughts
Roberto Luongo and the Canucks bounced back from a tough first period to break through against the Flames in a big way Sunday.
The success of the American Express line was great to see after Vancouver relied heavily on the Sedin twins early in the season.
Mason Raymond tallied an assist and looked sharp in his return to the lineup after a long summer on the shelf.
David Booth’s late drive through the crease on Mikka Kiprusoff was a stupid move in a four-goal game, and could come back to hurt the Canucks at some point this year.
The NHL’s open season on goaltenders won’t be over any time soon.
Cory Schneider who?
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Vancouver 5, Calgary 1
When: 9:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2011
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara
Linesmen: David Brisebois, Tony Sericolo
Attendance: 18890
About Kevin Vanstone
