Bieksa Sends Canucks to Cup Finals Videos
Rabu, 25 Mei 2011 by Android Blackberry
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| Bieksa Sends Canucks to Cup Finals |
Canucks dart to Stanley Cup finals with ugly Game 5 win over Sharks
if compared to a vehicle, the shot that won the Western Conference title for the Vancouver Canucks was a 1975 Dodge Dart, just about out of gas, the muffler scraping along the pavement into the service station just in time. It was not the sort of target one may well anticipate to prompt confetti to fall from the rafters and for a city to rejoice within the streets.
But that is precisely what occurred when Kevin Bieksa's dribbler-heard-round-the-world crossed the aim line 10 minutes, 18 seconds into the second overtime in Game five against the Sharks at Rogers Arena. That gave the Canucks their 1st conference championship since 1994, and they now await the winner of the Boston-Tampa Bay Eastern final to play for Lord Stanley's silver punchbowl.
In regards to the only player on the ice who seemed to see the fateful final shot go in was Bieksa. Everybody else appeared to be seeking a phantom puck that was supposed to be going around the correct dasher boards, after Canucks defenseman Alex Edler forehanded a puck to help keep it in the Sharks' zone.
As an alternative to rimming across the glass, even though, the puck hit a seam in the glass and caromed back towards the blue line. Although Sharks players such as Joe Pavelski and Kent Huskins in front of the net were looking at the other side with the glass for a puck that wasn't there, Bieksa was alert sufficient to one-time the rolling puck toward the net. Sharks goalie Antti Niemi was also confused as to where the puck went. He wasn't for long. It was too late by the time he did -- inside the lower right portion in the net.
As blue and green confetti fluttered for the ice, the Sharks looked about bewildered. They promptly looked to referees Stephen Walkon and Steve Kozari, hopeful from the play getting reviewed (did it go out of play, would it be overturned?). Nonetheless it became clear the puck in no way actually went out of play (and it wouldn't have mattered if it had, because such plays usually are not eligible to become reviewed by replay).
The "war room" in Toronto no doubt breathed a key sigh of relief immediately after the target. Not since the Canucks won, but because the objective really must have counted, as well as the NHL doesn't must forever listen to cries of injustice from the Sharks and their fans. (And, does any individual have any notion how lengthy it would have taken to sweep up all that confetti and start out the game up yet again if it were overturned?).
For the Sharks, this was just the most recent playoff punch for the gut.
When "The Bridesmaids" is cleaning up at movie-theater box offices suitable now, hockey's version is left to clean out their lockers in deep disappointment as soon as again.
The Sharks were all set to go merrily back to San Jose, still quite considerably alive, together with the clock operating down to beneath 20 seconds left in regulation, with a 2-1 lead.
But that's when the game's two linesmen -- that are responsible for calling icing violations -- missed one. Sharks defender Dan Boyle wound up and cleared the puck out from the zone and down the ice, top to an icing call.
Only, it shouldn't have been icing. Boyle's clearout essentially hit the shoulder of Vancouver's Henrik Sedin, which really should have nullified any whistle. But linesmen Greg Devorski and Jay Sharrers missed it, setting up a faceoff back in the Sharks' zone.
That's when Ryan Kesler -- who suffered a lower-body injury late inside the second period and limped about considerably of the rest of regulation -- won the draw back to Sedin, who place it on net. Kesler tipped it by Niemi with 14 seconds left to tie it.
Despite the agonizing call against, the Sharks actually carried play for a great deal of the to begin with OT, outshooting Vancouver 16-9. But Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo atoned for his third-period misjudgment of a puck that led to Devin Setoguchi's tie-breaking aim and was brilliant. He finished with 54 saves.
No one can ever accuse Sharks captain Joe Thornton of not being a playoff gamer. Thornton, it was revealed by coach Todd McLellan after the game, played having a separated proper shoulder following a Game 4 hit from Raffi Torres.
Thornton gutted his way by means of 32:15 of ice time, finishing with seven shots on net in addition to a 56-percent success rate on 18 faceoffs.
If only his high-priced teammate, Dany Heatley, played with as much passion. Heatley finished an awful series with another goose egg on the score sheet, with zero power-play objectives throughout the postseason. Heatley had many superior scoring probabilities within the game but missed the net on every single one. Oh, and he has 3 years and practically $23 million left on his contract, Sharks fans.
The Canucks are going to be the favorites to win the Cup finals against either team they play. Though they've appeared vulnerable at occasions these playoffs, they have so far summoned the fortitude to overcome any and all challenges. Often they win fairly. Other times, like Tuesday, they win ugly like that old Dart.
Either way, the Canucks are going towards the finals. Does not get any prettier than that.
3 Stars
1. Roberto Luongo, Canucks: He made one error in judgment, coming late to a puck that would end up within the back of his net for a tie-breaking third-period goal. But "Bobby Lou" created up for it, finishing with 54 saves, like all 20 he saw in the two overtimes. Anybody want to say he cannot win the massive ones any longer?
two. Ryan Kesler, Canucks: In spite of a lower-body injury within the second period that looked significant, Kesler came back to play a gutsy game, such as scoring the tying target with 14 seconds left following a crucial faceoff win. If the voting were held these days for the Conn Smythe Trophy, Kesler will be your winner.
3. Joe Thornton, Sharks: Speaking of playing hurt, the Sharks' captain played Game 5 using a separated right shoulder. He played practically 33 minutes and place seven shots on net
Bieksa sends Canucks to Cup finals
