Canucks-Thrashers: Vancouver Loses In Shootout To Lowly Atlanta

The Canucks wrapped up their two game road trip with a 4-3 shootout loss to the lowly Atlanta Thrashers Friday. 

Goals from Joseph Crabb, Ilya Kovalchuk and Vyacheslav Kozlov provided the offence for Atlanta while the Canucks got two goals from Henrik Sedin and one from Daniel Sedin to send the game into overtime. 

The Thrashers took command from there, out-shooting the Canucks 4-1, but creating several key opportunities in the third period and in overtime to win the game. 

The difference was Jason LaBarbera, who was spectacular for the Canucks stopping 34 of the 37 shots he faced.  His counterpart, Kari Lehtonen, was equally as impressive stopping 35 of 38 shots he faced.

The game itself was a highly entertaining one, with end-to-end action keeping both goaltenders extremely busy all night. 

The big names really came out tonight, with Atlanta sniper Kovlchuk getting a goal and an assist, meanwhile the Sedin's each had three points as the Canucks top line combined for eight points on the night. 

Unfortunately for the Canucks, the other three lines forgot to show up, as the rest of the team looked out of sync and unusually sloppy in their own zone. 

It's a shame for several reasons—it ruined a sensational performance by newcomer Jason LaBabera in goal.  In his two games with Vancouver, he has stopped 65 of the 69 shots he has faced. 

It was also a shame because they failed to gain some real ground on the Calgary Flames, even though they got a point. They cannot afford to take it easy in these types of games; they have to take two points against teams like this. 

The Thrashers looked especially strong in the third, firing 14 shots to the net, and continued the dominance in overtime.  Ultimately Erik Christiensen's goal in the third round of the shootout was enough, as Daniel Sedin failed to tie it on Vancouver's final shot in the shootout. 

The Canucks, however, can take some solace in the fact that despite their up and down play of late, they did get three of a possible four points on this road trip,, and are now tied for fourth in the West with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The Canucks now head home to face the disappointing Dallas Stars who have come on lately going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.  Nine of their final ten games in January come against Western Conference opponents.