The Champs are Here: Vancouver Canucks Claim Northwest Division Title

An improbable season that seemed destined for failure has ended in great success so far for the 2008-09 Vancouver Canucks.  The Canucks who were 13 points out of first place in January and riding a franchise long losing streak have done the impossible and come back from the dead and won the Northwest division. 

Saturday's 1-0 victory over the Avalanche insures the Canucks will begin the post season on home ice at GM Place. 

A game that was for the most part sloppy on both sides and very boring alot of the time was nonetheless more than enough for Vancouver, who have now won two Northwest division titles in Alain Vigneault's three year tenure as head coach. 

The Canucks came out determined early peppering Peter Budaj with shots but the Avs net-minder was solid as ever.  The second period and third periods were somewhat forgettableas bothteams were tentative and Vancouver was very conservative and hoping to lock up the single point that would clinch the division.

Whatever the tactic it was successful and Luongo when called upon was outstanding once again stopping 22 shots for his ninth shutout of the season, and tying him for fourthall-time amongst active goaltenders with Evegeni Nabokov at 47. 

Henrik Sedin won the game in the first minute of overtime on a fluke bank shot from behind the Avs net that deflected of Scott Hannan and in for the game winner. 

Afterwards the Canucks mr everything reflected on the Canucks season turnaround, "A lot of people thought we wouldn't be able to accomplish this," Canucks forward Alex Burrowssaid. "We were 14 or 15 points behind Calgary in January, and nobody probably thought it was possible. But we kept working and got better." 

"You're always trying to play smart in a 0-0 hockey game," defence-man Willie Mitchell said. "With a division title on the line, you're a little more aware of it. This is a really good feeling."

Of note for Colorado, Ian Laperierre played in his 1000th NHL game, and was rock solid as ever for the Avs and tough as nails as he has been throughout his career.

Also the Canucks were missing Taylor Pyattfor the fifth straight game as Pyattis still coping with the tragic loss of his fiancee Carly Bragnalo who was killed in a car crash while vacationing in Jamaica. 

"The situation has been on our minds," Luongo said. "It has been tough."

With the win Vancouver has hit 100 points for the second time and three seasons and only the fifth time in franchise history.  They will now await their opponent next week at home at GM Place, it will be either the Blue Jackets,Ducks,or Blues.

For now the Canucks return home full of confidence and ready to start a playoff push.