Last night, the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in OT. The teams met for the 2nd out of 4 meetings this year. These two teams are always fun to watch play. Very evenly matched. San Jose seems to always be leading their division and makes it into the playoffs every year. Vancouver did bump San Jose out the their Stanley Cup run last year in game 5 round 3, with a double overtime winner by Kevin Bieksa.
Last night it started with Daniel Sedin scoring 1/2 way through the 1st period. The lineup looked a little different this game. With Chris Higgins out, Mark Mancari was called up from the minors. At the start of the 2nd period Ryan Kesler scored on a powerplay, 2-0 Vancouver. San Jose then came back with a goal by Logan Couture midway through the 2nd, then 5 minutes later San Jose Captain Joe Thornton scored to tie it up. It was lucky goal #7 for Thornton. No scoring in the 3rd period or in overtime. With the 5 minute OT winding down Vancouver started to take shots and dominate in the San Jose zone. Bieksa, who had just been in the penalty box for high sticking, took a shot from close to the blueline, the puck deflects of Andrew Ebbett's stick and in! Final 3-2 Vancouver. It was Ebbett's 4th game winning goal! Ebbett was out of the line up for about 2 months with a broken foot and only returned over a week ago. This is Ebbett's 3rd goal in 2 games. The best part is Ebbett told reporters after last night's game that he is "having fun right now and it is fun to play." Love Ebbett! Check out Ebbett's game winner in "If You Need a Visual."
Team Canada took their 2nd win yesterday vs the Czech Republic. Canada has never lost to the Czechs. With #2 goalie Scott Wedgewood getting the start it was going to be a good game. Mark Stone opened up the scoring and that was that. The hottest stick in hockey just scored for the 4th time in 2 games. The team collected 4 more goals and Wedgewood made 26 saves in the win. The most heart warming part of the game? Devante Smith-Pelly staying in Edmonton to support his team after his foot was fractured in the 1st game. Smith-Pelly is a guy with heart and truly loves the game. Keep an eye on Smith-Pelly after he recovers, he was drafted to the Anaheim Ducks and will have a fantastic career with that heart.
Some streaks are starting in the NHL. With Boston's OT win over Phoenix last night, Boston is on a 7 game winning streak. It was the 2nd sellout in Phoenix this year with fans packing the arena to see the Stanley Cup Champs. Boston now leads the league with 24 wins. Minnesota, which was off to such a great start this year, is now no longer the leader in the Northwest Division. Minnesota lost last night and now are on a 8 game losing streak. Jonathan Quick helped his team, the Los Angeles Kings, beat the Chicago Blackhawks last night. Final score 2-0. It was Quick's 5th shutout of the year and the most for a goaltender in the league this year.
Women's Only Fantasy Hockey Draft Results:
1st place Juliet with 379 points
2nd place Bonnie with 376 points
3rd place Sam with 375 points
4th place Roz with 373 points
5th place Josie with 364 points Way to go Ladies!
Don't forget to get your tickets to You CAN 2012 at Red Card Sports Bar. All proceeds support the Canucks Autism Network. With the Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks game on 18 TVs, bubbles and a pizza buffet at midnight it is a party to be at. Plus you could win jerseys, sticks and posters signed by the Vancouver Canucks! Happy New Year 2012!