Luongo's 38th win matching McLean’s franchise record

 

Michail Boncea (HV)

 

The surprise of the game was Jeff Cowan scoring 2 goals during the game, in the process of having scored 5 goals in the last 3 games. Jeff Cowan picked on waivers by the Vancouver Canucks looks like a complete steal if he can continue to score near the pace he is currently doing so.

 

The game itself was not the high tempo rhythm style that it was expected before the start of it. By the end of the 1st period there were only 6 shots recorded on the net between the 2 teams with the shot count favoring Vancouver which had 4 of the shots. Vancouver defense played very well and it was a big part of the game since it held Tampa Bay Lightning to only 17 shots.

Vancouver Canucks Jeff Cowan scored the first goal in first period at 8:44, the assists went to Brendan Morrison and Lukas Krajicek. Tampa Bay Vincent Lecavalier scored the second goal of the game in the second period at 6:51, the assists went to Filip Kuba and Dan Boyle. Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa scored the third goal in second period at 15:19, the assists went to Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin . Vancouver Canucks Daniel Sedin scored the fourth goal in third period at 0:21, the assists went to Henrik Sedin and Kevin Bieksa. Vancouver Canucks Brendan Smolinski scored the fifth goal in third period at 6:57 unassisted. Vancouver Canucks Jeff Cowan scored the final goal of the game in the third period at 19:04 and the assists went to Jan Bulis and Matt Cooke.

With Vancouver winning this game they have kept their undefeated record against Tampa Bay Lightning at home to now 0-8-2 while capturing their third win in a row and registering their 9th game victor in the last 11 games. In return Tampa Bay Lightning remains the only club to have never won a game at GM Place.

 

As well with Vancouver Canucks winning the game it give Roberto Luongo its 38th game win of the season matching Kirk McLean’s Vancouver Canucks franchise record going back to 1991-92 season.

 

On a side note Rory Fitzpatrick the defenseman that was almost voted by the fans to go to this year NHL All-Star Game has not played a shift and has been a healthy scratch since Vancouver re-acquired Brent Sopel from L.A..

 

 

Photo: Roberto Luongo © Michail Boncea (HV)