Sweeping Into History- Canucks Complete Series Win Over Blues

For the first time in their history, the Vancouver Canucks have swept a seven game series thanks to a 3-2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.  Once again, Roberto Luongo was spectacular. Not only did he make 47 saves, but once again the captain led by example, particularly in overtime when they needed it most. 

The Canucks appeared to be well on their way to sweeping the series when Kyle Wellwood opened the scoring in the first on a beautiful breakaway move for his first playoff goal. There appeared to be nothing that could stop them when Alex Burrows scored on a beautiful tip in in the second to put the Canucks up by two. 

To the Blues credit, they did not roll over and die. St. Louis showed the same resiliency they have all season, coming back to score two goals in a little over three minutes to tie the game at two, with goals from Brad Boyes and David Perron.

They were unlucky late in the second, as Jay McClement shovelled a scramble in front and past Luongo. The goal was called off after a lengthy review because the referee had intended to whistle the play down. The call was a big moment in the game, as the Canucks were able to escape the period tied at two. 

That was unfortunate for St. Louis, as they threw everything but the kitchen sink at Luongo in the third and then in overtime, but Luongo was having none of it. They had huge opportunities in OT but their power play once again let them down, as they failed to score on six minutes of power play time in the extra session. 

Once again, the Blues were made to pay for their missed chances as late in the first overtime Alex Burrows found a hole threw Chris Mason, and the Canucks were able to sweep the Blues 4-0, and will now wait for their second round opponent. 

This was perhaps the weakest game the Canucks had in the entire series, but nonetheless you cannot take this away from Vancouver as they deserve full marks for the four game sweep. They showed they were a superior team that needs to be watched.

The sweep is huge for Vancouver who can now rest up the likes of Mats Sundin, Sami Salo, and company, which will help the Canucks down the line as they prepare to move on in the Western Conference playoffs. 

Mats Sundin missed his second straight game with a lower body injury, while Sami Salo was out to injury and was replaced by Ossin Vaananen, who saw limited action on the blue line.  Paul Kariya who was expected to play, was in the end too banged up did not suit up once again. 

The Canucks have made a serious statement with this sweep, showing they are ready to win and will accept nothing less. Western Conference beware: the Canucks are for real and eager to win.