Vancouver Canucks Daniel Sedin (L) is stopped by Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj during the 2nd period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia November 24, 2010. REUTERS/Ben NelmsSTRINGER/CANADA/Reuters
The Vancouver Canucks honoured former goaltender "Captain" Kirk McLean before their game Wednesday, reviving some memories of the NHL team's run to the 1994 Stanley Cup finals.
For the modern Canucks fan, reliving their finest hour - both McLean's and the franchise's - was welcome relief after four consecutive losses, two of them on home ice, by the home team.
So was what followed.
The Canucks got their first victory since Nov. 13, beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 and forging a tie atop the Northwest Division. Vancouver has defeated its division rivals three times in 2010-11, something that won't sit well with McLean.
The former Canuck is now Colorado's goaltending consultant, even if his likeness will forever hang in the Rogers Arena rafters, in Vancouver's Ring of Honour. McLean became just the second former player so honoured, joining former captain Orland Kurtenbach.
Turning Point
The exact midpoint of the game - 10 minutes into the second period - when the Sedin twins connected for a classic Sedin-like goal. Henrik Sedin fired a slap-pass to brother Daniel in the slot, who redirected the puck past Peter Budaj. The goal, Daniel's first at even strength in seven games, snapped a two-game dry spell for the twins. It was not the winner, but it finally ignited some dangerous shifts from Vancouver's top line, including an insurance marker from Alex Burrows late in the third.
Offence
The Canucks were up against Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson, playing just his second game since returning from a knee injury suffered Nov. 4 during warmup in Vancouver. Anderson lasted just one period, however, and was replaced in the second by Peter Budaj because of a groin injury. Kevin Bieksa opened scoring during a delayed penalty call against the visitors in the first period. The defenceman redirected a point shot from the slot for his first goal of the season. Colorado also lost captain Adam Foote to a leg injury in the first period, and were playing with just five defencemen. The home team earned a two-goal lead early in the third on a tally that was initially waved off, but later overturned on review. It stood up as the 100th goal of Ryan Kesler's career. An airborne puck hit Budaj in the head and deflected into the goal. The officials originally ruled that Jeff Tambellini batted it in from above the crossbar. In fact, Tambellini's stick hit Budaj's mask.
Defence
Keith Ballard returned to the Canucks lineup after a two-game absence because of the flu, and was active in the early going, joining the rush on at least two occasions. He also took a penalty. Goaltender Roberto Luongo started his fourth consecutive game, but wasn't tested too much. The Avalanche boast the NHL's third best offence, netting 3.5 goals a game, but only managed a power-play tally from John-Michael Liles over the first 40 minutes. Liles leads all NHL defencemen with 21 points in 21 games. Matt Duchene added a third-period goal. Luongo made 21 saves.
Roster watch
Veteran Canucks winger Peter Schaefer has refused an assignment to the AHL's Manitoba Moose after clearing waivers Wednesday. The Canucks will waive him again Thursday for the purpose of giving Schaefer his unconditional release. If he clears again, Schaefer's contract will be terminated by the club. His replacement is Tambellini, who skated on the second line with Kesler and Mason Raymond. Head coach Alain Vigneault hoped that one of the fastest trios in recent Canucks history would help jump-start his team's sagging production. The line had an excellent shift midway through the second, using their speed on a dump-and-chase to regain the puck and produce two chances. Vigneault, often criticized for his line combinations, may be onto something.