9:50: The Canucks season is on the brink after a 5-2 loss to the Sharks in Game 3 of their playoff series. San Jose led 1-0 after one, 2-1 after two. Joe Pavelski with both goals, while Alex Burrows replied for Vancouver. In the 3rd, Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau scored 9 seconds apart to bust the game wide open. The Canucks are in the exact same position as last spring, where they trailed the Kings 3-0 after 3 games. They of course, did win Game 4. Cory Schneider, who was a suprise starter, played well, until those 2 goals in the 3rd. He allowed 5 goals on 28 shots before being replaced by Roberto Luongo. Now the question is which goalie will start in Game 4? Nevertheless, the Canucks are in a deep, deep hole. Coming back from a 0-3 deficit has only happened 3 times in NHL history, so the odds are stacked against them. But as they say, you need 4 games to win a series, and for the Sharks, they already have 3.
9:45: END OF GAME. SHARKS WIN 5-2 AND TAKE A 3-0 SERIES LEAD.
9:42: So many questions regarding game 4…but realistically the questions should be about NEXT season. Who returns? Coach and GM, one or both will likely pay the price with their job. We know how this works, and changes are a coming
9:38: `LOSERS` is trending in Vancouver. Something tells me its not a movie being trended
9:.36: Kassian takes dumb penalty. SJ on its 8th PP of game. Canucks just 2.
9:34: GOAL! DAN HAMHUIS 5-2. Great shot by Hammer. But little too late
9:32: Burrows and Galiardi get minors… getting chippy right now. Refs trying to keep the peace
9:31: Lapierre in the box again. SJ on another PP. This is getting ugly.
9:29: Hospital in Vancouver will be busy tonight — as many will be treated for ankle injury. Fall from bandwagons definitely can hurt
9:26: Fans chanting “Canucks suck”.
9:25: Great tweet from Jay Janower – Alain Vigneault is an easy target but Canucks fans need to know why their GM has done very little the last 2 seasons to prepare this team.
9:23: So no penalty shot, no goal…and Kassian cant score into an empty net. That my friends, sums up the Canucks season.
9:20: Kassian thinks Canucks score. Could we see a penalty shot? Is that what the Canucks need to get going here? oh wait, they sucked in shootouts this season!!
9:17: Sharks on the PP again. On a side note, hope you didn`t take the UNDER….
9:15: Good chance most people are already talking about who returns, who doesnt next season..Names which come to mind of NOT returning…BOOTH, RAYMOND, ROY, BALLARD, LUONGO, AV….The list could continue if you want it to
9:12: I guess AV`s hunch did not pan out. Luongo comes into the game with 15:53 left in the period.
9:11: The Canucks imploding. Henrik takes a high sticking penalty. As I mentioned, just 3 teams in history have come back from 0-3 deficit
9:09: The Canucks need 3 goals to tie it up. They`ve scored 3 in the series thus far.
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9:05: SJ scores 2 goals in 9 seconds. That could be it
9:05: GOAL. PATRICK MARLEAU SCORES 4-1
9:05: GOAL. LOGAN COUTURE SCORES. 3-1
9:02: OK, the most important 20 minutes of the season. Next goal is MASSIVE. SJ start period on PP. This may determine the direction of this team for the next few years.
8:45: END OF 2ND PERIOD. The Canucks and Sharks traded goals in the 2nd. Pavelski, his 2nd of the game made it 2-0. But Vancouver`s top line finally got something going. The Sedins set up Alex Burrows to cut the lead to 2-1. The Canucks seem energized after that goal. Had a few more chance, but ended the period shorthanded after Jannik Hansen was called for a pênalty with less than a minute to play. 20 minutes are left for the Canucks to at least tie this game. Or they`ll be down 3-0 in the series. And if you forgot, just 3 teams in NHL history have come back to win a series after losing the first 3 games.
8:44: Joe Thornton breakaway — Jannik Hansen gets called with a penalty. Shot misses the net. SJ PP to end 2nd.
8:42: AV rewards 4th line with another solid shift. Couple big hits. Could be valuable in the 3rd Period
8:35: Great shift for the Canucks 4th line. Causing havoc, and even a chance
8:33: Sedins looking more interested after that goal.
8:31: R.A. Dickey from the Blue Jays taking notes after watching Burrows knuckler!
8:28: Who the heck is this Tommy Wingel? Solid
8:27: The Canucks are back in it. Top Line comes thru. Both Sedins assist on Burrows first of the playoffs.
8:26: GOAL! ALEX BURROWS. 2-1 SJ
8:22: So Canucks goalie does everything HE can, with little help on the scoreboard….sounds familiar? Yup, same story line all series
8:20: GOAL. JOE PAVELSKI. 2ND OF GAME 2-0 SJ
8:19: For a team with 2 NHL scoring champs on the roster, the Canucks offense is ugly
8:17: Penalty killed. Oh look, its Zack Kassian with the twins. AV doing some juggling
8:15: Cory Schneider makes big save. keeps his team in it
8:13: Max Lapierre in the box. SJ on a PP again.
8:11: Garrison has been the Canucks best D-men in the playoffs. Someone needs to step it up. Creat more chances. Get in front of Niemi.
8:08: Burrows crashing net….Niemi sees it. Stops it
8:06: Annnd….we`re back. 2nd period underway
7:50: The Canucks had their chances in the first, but couldn`t beat Niemi. SJ capitalized on a 5 on 3, Joe Pavelski scored. Shots after 1 period, 14-13 for the Vancouver. But not many quality shots. Vancouver was not outplayed, and withstood some early pressure. Now time to come out more composed, and tie this game up in the 2nd. Look for AV to start rolling 3 lines soon.
7:48: END OF FIRST. SAN JOSE leads 1-0
7:46: Final Minute…
7:44: Lots of blocked shots by Sharks
7:44: behind net cam is great….for replays, not LIVE play
7:42: Canucks need shots on goal…too much puck possession around the perimeter….SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS!!
7:40: Canucks PP coming up. TV timeout
7:39: Sharks controlling the play — Canucks escape the 2 men down, by giving up 1 goal. Anyone notice the Sedins? ya, me neither
7:37: GOAL SJ – Joe Pavelski side of net, chips it in 1-0 SJ
7:35: Hamhuis takes penalty. Canucks down 2 men for 1:36. Uh-oh! and they just played the JAWS theme song. Ohhhh snap
7:34 Dale Weiss, in penalty box. SJ -PP
7:32: Great chance in front of net, but Canucks can’t get puck to go in. Roy/MayRay/Hansen line…solid shift
7:30: Close call for the Canucks, but the Sharks couldn’t score at side of net. Brent Burns with chance.
7:28: Lots of puck possession, but no real quality scoring chance. at least SJ isn’t at the other end. (one shot on PP)
7:26: VCR with a couple of chances on the PP. Ryan Kesler, looks like he’s about to activate into #beastmode soon
7:23: Kes is OK, back on the ice for the PP. fans are not pleased! Kes is wearing Burrows helmet while his gets fixed.
7:23: Patrick Marleau almost took off Ryan Kelser’s head! Nux go to the PP.
7:22: Perfect start for the Canucks. Not giving up much, throwing their weight around, and getting in front of the net. Now, we must see them generate quality chances
7:20: Good start for 4th line. Getting into Niemi’s crease. Causing traffic, trying to throw Niemi off, has to be one of AV’s plans tonight.
7:20: Cory nice save, Kesler throwing his weight. Fairly cautious thus far for both teams
7:16 Jason Garrison first shot on net. ….SAVE!!
7:15: No shots on goal for either team 3:25 into game
7:11: 6 seconds in, all is good. 0-0
7:08: Final thoughts before puck drop. AV better be right on his hunch. Cory and Sestito.
7:08: The first 7 and half minutes will be very important for VAN. The Canucks must withstand an early “shark attack” They’ll be coming hard. An early goal to get the crowd out would be the perfect start for VAN
7:06: Maybe the Canucks should come onto the ice skating thru a giant whale’s mouth. That’d make the opponent scared
7:05: Interesting move. Tom Sestito in, Andrew Ebbett out. Look for SES’ to get into Niemi’s kitchen
6:55: Good chance, there wasn’t much said in the locker room before the game. I think the players know whats what’s at stake. Not only the season, but going forward. #BigChangesPossiblyComing
6:50: We know how much everyone loves stats, so here we go before the game. Canucks 2-10 in their last 12 playoff games. Van has lost 4 of its last 5 road playoff games. (3 against the Bruins 2011, 1 against the Kings 2012)
6:45: 15 minutes to go, are you nervous? Where will you be watching?
6:30: The Canucks really need to get their PP going tonight. 2 years ago, in the Conference Final, Vancouver scored 5 goals with the man-advantage. Something to watch for
6:00: Just over an hour away from puck. Can the Canucks get back into this series? They trail 2-0, and are hoping Cory Schneider can change their fortunes. He gets the start tonight!
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