Canucks Solve Niemi in Third, Take Game 1

The Vancouver Canucks rode a strong team effort and beat goalie Antti Niemi for 2 goals in 1:19 in the third period to come from behind to defeat the Sharks 3-2.  Niemi, who has never lost a playoff series, was the goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks when they ousted the Canucks last spring.  It was an entertaining game that was intense right from the opening faceoff where Joe Thornton and Ryan Kesler butted heads multiple times while leaning in for the draw.   Thornton drew first blood when he picked off an errant clearing pass from Roberto Luongo and put it in the cage before the Vancouver goalie could get back in the crease.  Maxim Lapierre tied it up midway through the second before Patrick Marleau gave the Sharks the lead again through 2 periods.  The third was all Canucks, as Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin scored in quick succession and San Jose had no answer on the last 10 minutes.  Luongo and Niemi were both good on the evening, making 29 and 37 saves respctively.

Here are the game highlights of last nights entertaining game from NHL.com

Tonight is a dark night around the hockey world, as for the first time in recent memory there are no NHL, AHL, World Championship or Junior games going on anywhere!  Boston and Tampa continue their Easten Conference Final tomorrow night in Boston before Vancouver and San Jose renew acquaintances on Wednesday night.

Enjoy your night off!

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