Canucks back in Stanley Cup Final for first time in 17 years
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Vancouver Canucks have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final — the first time in 17 years — with a 3-2 double overtime win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final series in Vancouver.
Seventeen years ago to the day, the pride of Nelson, Greg Adams, scored at 17 seconds of the double overtime to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs and send the Canucks to their last Cup final appearance.
Tuesday, at Rogers Arena, it was Kevin Bieksa’s turn as the Canucks defenceman jumped on a loose puck that had ricocheted off the stanchion and shot the puck past a surprised Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi at the 10:18 mark of the second overtime.
“What a duck . . . it almost didn’t go in,” Bieksa told CBC TV after the game.
Vancouver trailed 2-1 late in the third period, and appeared to be heading back to San Jose for game six. But Canucks forward Ryan Kesler tipped in a shot from the point with 13.2 seconds left in regulation to send the game to extra time.
In overtime Roberto Luongo was the story, stopping 20 shots — including 16 in the first overtime period.
“I did see him shoot it . . . I didn’t see it go in but I saw the light go on,” Luongo said after the game.
Alex Burrows opened the scoring in the first period on a nice three-way passing play with Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
Dan Boyle, on the power play, tied the game in the second for the Sharks before Devin Setoguchi scored seconds into the third period to give the visitors the lead.
San Jose finished the game with a wide 56-34 margin in shots.
Vancouver now awaits the winner of the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning Eastern Conference Final that the Bruins lead three games to two. The sixth game is Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.
FOR THE RECORD: Canuck captain Henrik Sedin did not touch the Clarence Campbell Trophy when presented to the winning team by NHL vice president Bill Daly … San Jose captain Joe Thornton played game five with a separated shoulder.
Click here for The Province story on the game.
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