Credit Ryan Kesler with the set-up and finish as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 in overtime in Game 3 of their second round series in 2011 NHL Playoffs.
Ryan Kesler drew a penalty on Nashville’s defenseman Shea Weber and then scored the winning goal during the Canuck power play.
"It feels good to get this one and good to go up 2-1 in the series," Kesler said.
The hockey game was a tight defensive game with Vancouver outshooting Nashville 47-30.
"They are a real strong team that doesn’t give you much, and they battle real hard," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. "That is the type of game that we saw tonight. Every team had to fight for every inch on the ice."
The Kesler overtime winning goal sparked cries of outrage among the Nashville fans. From the video it appears Kesler stayed bent over, snaring Weber’s stick under his arm which resulted in Weber being sent off with a hooking penalty.
Nashville coach Barry Trotz called it a bad penalty, especially with what he saw going uncalled. He also credited Kesler with selling the penalty.
"He chicken-winged the stick and kept moving, and really if you look at it, Webs is pushing on him, trying to pull his stick out of there," Trotz said. "I’ve seen it before. One of the earlier games, he drew a couple penalties like that by chicken-winging the stick and just holding it there and keep moving and see if he can sell it."
Weber said it was unfortunate a call like that cost the Predators the game.
Watch the video highlights and post-game interviews of Game 3 between the Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks:
With files from Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press, Nashville
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