Flying V’s hat trick: Bad line? Yes. Canucks put out the Flames

The Vancouver Canucks struggled to bring their playoff intensity on Saturday, but managed to make the most of their performance against the Flames, forcing overtime in a 3-2 comeback over Calgary on Hockey Night in Canada.

Roberto Luongo had a shaky return to the crease after sitting out Friday’s game with a sore neck and Marc-Andre Gragnani buried his first as a Canuck in the comeback.

Bandwagon fans please hop on now. But please put down your panic buttons.

Only bandwagon fans have a panic button! RT @vancan19: #Canucks 7-2-1 in their last 10! Your panic button should be stowed away neatly

— Northwest SportsBeat (@NWSportsbeat) April 1, 2012

The Hat Trick

Maxim Lapierre continued his scoring streak on Vancouver’s top line alongside Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows, burying the opening goal of the game after a beautiful passing play by his linemates.

Alex Edler rushed the puck up ice and banked a pass to Henrik Sedin who saucered a sweet feed to Lapierre for the finish.

The frustrating French Canadian has added an extra dynamic to Vancouver’s top unit, bringing additional grit and emotion to the newly formed first line. 

Mike Cammalleri gave Calgary an early third period lead on Saturday, sizzling a shot past Roberto Luongo under a minute into the final frame after the Flames broke briskly into the Canucks’ zone.

The goal was the second shot of the night that beat Luongo thanks to lousy lateral movement after Olli Jokinen put one home early in the second period.

Luongo was less than sensational after Cory Schneider shut the door Friday facing the Dallas Stars. 

Andrew Ebbett had a solid game in his return to Vancouver’s fourth line against the Flames, tipping home the game-winning goal in overtime after a frantic final few minutes at Rogers Arena.

The forward took the place of Dale Weise alongside Zack Kassian and Manny Malhotra on Saturday, sealing the win with another slick tip in overtime.

The win was Ebbett’s first game back returning from a broken collarbone suffered in Boston earlier in the season.

Ebbett had a solid game and got the OT winner. - (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Ebbett’s last 2 goals have been OT winners. The last one being Dec 28th at San Jose, and then again tonight. He now has 4 goals in his last 8 games, and made a case for more playing time down the stretch and into the playoffs.

The Canucks managed to sneak away with another two points after a poor performance on Saturday, stealing the extra point thanks to Andrew Ebbett’s clutch return to Rogers Arena.

Vancouver’s third line was tremendous again against Calgary, keeping the Flames’ forwards busy with their own brand of puck possession hockey that consistently conducted business in the Calgary zone.

“Ebbett’s had some challenges this year, he’s healthy and tonight he pushed his way into more minutes. A big goal in OT.” – Alain Vigneault was happy with the return of another depth forward to the lineup.

1st. Henrik Sedin - GOALS: 0| PTS: 3| ASST: 3 SOG: 2| PLUS/MINUS: 2
2nd. Maxim Lapierre - GOALS: 1| PTS: 3| ASST: 2 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 3
3rd. Chris Higgins - GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 1

BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP

Vancouver 3, Calgary 2
When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 31, 2012
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Steve Kozari, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Bryan Pancich, Mark Wheler
Attendance: 18890

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© Kevin Vanstone for North West Sports Beat, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |

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