NHL Western Finals: Canucks beat Sharks 4-1 to cruise into Stanley Cup Final – Highlights

Lindy Rumer May 25, 2011 1

NHL Western Finals: Canucks beat Sharks 4-1 to cruise into Stanley Cup Final – Highlights

VANCOUVER: Vancouver Canucks recorded their fourth victory in the seven-match NHL Western Conference Finals over San Jose Sharks by 3-2 here Tuesday night to storm into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 17 years.

Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate. Courtesy: Reuters

The Canucks swept the series with 4-1 margin after the game went right to the wire where Kevin Bieksa scored 10:18 into the second overtime to help his side create history at Rogers Arena.

The most important goal of the series never came without a controversy. A strange play made the puck taking a funny bounces off the back boards and while most of the Sharks were wondering about what was happening Bieksa surprised everyone with a knuckler of shot that also left San Jose goalie Antti Niemi stunned at his place.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Captain Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks pose with the Clarence Campbell Bowl. Courtesy: Getty Images

Talking about his match and series-winning goal, Bieksa told reporters, “I shot it. I think when the puck went in the goalie was looking behind the net. It was an ugly goal, but one I will take.”

In anticipation of victory, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo raised his sticks in the air for celebrations and the whole team filled in the center with over 18850 crowd going berserk chanting “WE WANT THE CUP”.

Kevin Bieksa. Courtesy: Reuters

Talking about the moment, Sharks coach Todd McLellan told reporters, “The only guy who knew where that puck was, was Kevin Bieksa and he almost fanned on it. It’s one of those things you have no control over. We can talk about it all we want. There is nothing we can do about it.”

However, Bieksa had all the reasons in the world to celebrate his goal and the victory, “It’s fantastic. It’s unbelievable. To go to the Stanley Cup final is a dream come true.”

Captain Henrik Sedin. Courtesy: Getty Images

Alexandre Burrows gave Canucks the lead 8:02 in the first period after getting assisted by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Sharks tied the game 9:57 in the second period where Patrick Marleau scored in power-play as both teams entered the penultimate period tied at 1-1. Devin Setoguchi then gave Sharks the lead 0:24 in the third period assisted ably by Joe Pavleski and Kent Huskins before Ryan Kesler scored with 13.2 seconds left in the third period to force the overtime.

The San Jose Sharks outshot the Vancouver Canucks 56-34 in the game but failed to make the most of it as Luongo kept Vancouver in the game by making a glove save of a Kyle Wellwood shot and blocking a deflection off the skate of Ian White.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo. Courtesy: Getty Images

Talking about his goaltender, Canucks coach Alain Vigneaut said, “I thought (Luongo) was real good. Tonight, without a doubt, (the Sharks) played a real strong game, probably their best game of these playoffs. We had a couple of breakdowns that he was able to keep us in the game.”

Talking about a huge coincidence, the game was played exactly 17 years of the day when Vancouver Canucks had first qualified for the NHL Stanley Cup and at that time the game was won in the second Overtime as well. However, the Canucks failed to win the title after New York Rangers defeated them in the final needing seven games.

Now Canucks are awaiting the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals where Boston Bruins are leading Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 with Game 6 is scheduled on Wednesday night.