A long anticipated matchup between these two Canadian franchises did not disappoint a national television audience. The Canucks, thanks once again in large part to the play of captain Roberto Luongo, were able to close out their home stand with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Maple Leafs.
An opening goal on the Canucks from former Leaf, Kyle Wellwood, first got the ball rolling for the Canucks. Ryan Kessler followed that with a power play goal later on in the period to put them ahead 2-0, despite being outshot 13-6. For a good portion of that period, they were badly outplayed.
The reason for the lead was the man that always causes it—captain Canuck Roberto Luongo. He was spectacular in the first, stopping all 13 first period shots and shutting the door on an early Leafs five on three for 1:57. Not even the loss of his stick on that power play was going to stop him from stopping the puck.
The Canucks built on that in the second with goals from Willie Mitchell (his first of the season) and Daniel Sedin to chase Vesa Toskala from the net. Toskala let in four goals on a mere nine shots. The Leafs made it interesting late in the third with goals from White and Stajan but, once again, the night belonged to Luongo.
A 4-2 win had vaulted the Canucks in a first place tie in the Northwest division with the Wild as they have won four of their last five games to improve to 10-6-1 this season.
Luongo has been nothing short of stellar this month for the Canucks playing 242 minutes and 36 seconds of shutout hockey, and posting a near perfect save percentage in that time. The Canucks will now embark on a four-game road trip on the East coast where they will collide with former captain Markus Naslund at MSG on Wednesday night.
3 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chandler Nicol 7 months ago
You know I'm hearing Don Cherry and a bunch of people complain that we threw Wellwood away, as he's performing so well NOW... but Cherry's a hypocrite.. I remember him giving it to Wellwood last year one game calling him lazy and inefficient; which is exactly what he was. He was sloppy, careless, apathetic. I loved Wellwood two years ago and I thought about getting his jersey... but he was playing the "country-club" card like the rest of the Leafs (mind you he was injured a lot).
When he arrived in Vancouver, they originally sent him down; probably because he had the same apathetic careless attitude that he began to develop in Toronto. Wellwood played well in Toronto when he was fighting for a high spot in the team, being called up from the minors and when people doubted his ability due to his small size. Now again, he begins to perform only when the pressure is on him to do well.
It seems he's got that Vince Carter attitude... You don't have to try your best every night; just do what you need to get by. He's immature and he couldn't flourish with the Leafs. It was best he left and hopefully he grows up a bit.
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Joel Lefevre 7 months ago
Completely, agree, Wellwood needs to prove some consistency game in and game out and needs to play like the pressure is on all the time, and even Wellwood from what Ive heard said he completely deserved his fate from Toronto, as a Canucks fan Im hoping he plays to his potential game in and game out.
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Gradin santana 7 months ago
wellwood will most likey get 22 goals which aint bad at all
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