Canucks-Flames: Vancouver Burned in Calgary

The Flames swept the Canucks in their recent home/home series with a 3-1 win on Saturday as they repaid the favour from earlier this season.  The game marked the first NHL start for Canucks rookie net minder Corey Schneider who played outstanding in a losing effort. 

This crucial four-point game now puts the Flames within a point of the Northwest leading Canucks.

The game itself lacked a lot of fire and passion that we usually see when these clubs meet.  Calgary took control in the second as they out-shot the Canucks 10-3 and were rewarded late in the period when Daymond Langkow tipped a Phaneuf point shot in past Corey Schneider. 

Regardless, the Canucks had to feel good being only down one as they were dominated in the second. But thanks to outstanding goaltending from Schneider, they still had a shot in the third. 

David Moss increased the lead in the third on a goal Schneider would like to have back, before Kyle Wellwood took a cross-ice feed from Janik Hansen to cut the lead to one.  However it wasn't to be for these Canucks as Lombardi iced the game late off a brilliant play by Iginla.

It was an unfortunate performance for the Canucks who let a fabulous effort in goal by Schneider go to waste with a poor performance on the ice. 

Afterwards Schneider said to Canucks.com that he was mixed with emotions on his first NHL start, "I was excited, nervous, a whole bunch of feelings but once you settle in, it's just a hockey game and you have to compete, battle, and try to keep your team in it," said Schneider. 

With Luongo still out a little while Schneider will no doubt get another shot to start in goal. 

Of note: Kyle Wellwood in addition to scoring the lone goal for Vancouver, had an impressive eight of 11 in the face-off circle, while Daniel Sedin had his five-game scoring streak snapped. 

The Canucks look to stay in first when they visit Columbus Monday in the second game of their critical seven game road trip.