Finals - Game 1: San Jose 3 @ Vancouver 1
As one Stanley Cup Final ends, another begins!
As the Anaheim Ducks were celebrating their win over the Ottawa Senators, another battle for the Cup was about to get underway. For the second straight year it would be the #1 team battling the #2 team.
Fans knew the series could go either way, and that the series could be high scoring (The top 4 scoring leaders were from these team) or the series could be low scoring (Both goalies were stellar during the regular season).
If the 1st period was any indication, the fans had their answer. With the shots identical (7-7) neither team was able to find the back of the net and any chances they had were swept away by the two goalie. "We were really nervous out there, and I'm sure they were too", explained Thornton after the first period.
Everyone knew that with these two powerhouse team, someone would have to score. And that happened halfway through the second period when Matt Carle blasted one from the point that gave Loungo troubles. The Canucks would not be outdone. Shortly after, the true Captain for the Canucks made things even. Trevor Linden came across the top of the circle and wristed one by the pad of Nabokov. The 2nd period would end with both teams having similar stats numbers.
Being in this situation last year, Coach Critter gave a pep talk to his boys during the second intermission. He was quoted as saying, "Don't panic out there. Our chances will come. We need to capitalize on their mistakes and take advantage." Well, just 31 seconds into the 3rd period the San Jose Sharks did just that. Off the faceoff, the Sharks were able to take advantage of poor defensive positioning by the Canucks. A breakaway pass was given to Guerin who walked in and beat Loungo. The Canucks seemed to learn from their mistake because they played solid defensive hockey there after. Both teams had their chances, but both goalies were stellar. The Sharks speed would create another and another chance for the Sharks. With only 2 1/2 minutes left and the Canucks pressing to tie...Thornton and Cheechoo would breakdown the Canucks defense to give them a 2 on 1. Thornton brought the puck into the zone and passed to Cheechoo. Everyone in the building, including Loungo, figured Cheechoo would shoot. But cleverly Cheechoo passed back to Thornton who had a wide open net to shoot in. The nail was in the coffin, and the Sharks would take a 1 game lead in the finals.
Stats:
SJ @ Van
24 shots 19
27 hits 38
3 Stars:
Guerin 1 2
Carle 1 1
Thornton 1 0
As the Anaheim Ducks were celebrating their win over the Ottawa Senators, another battle for the Cup was about to get underway. For the second straight year it would be the #1 team battling the #2 team.Fans knew the series could go either way, and that the series could be high scoring (The top 4 scoring leaders were from these team) or the series could be low scoring (Both goalies were stellar during the regular season).
If the 1st period was any indication, the fans had their answer. With the shots identical (7-7) neither team was able to find the back of the net and any chances they had were swept away by the two goalie. "We were really nervous out there, and I'm sure they were too", explained Thornton after the first period.
Everyone knew that with these two powerhouse team, someone would have to score. And that happened halfway through the second period when Matt Carle blasted one from the point that gave Loungo troubles. The Canucks would not be outdone. Shortly after, the true Captain for the Canucks made things even. Trevor Linden came across the top of the circle and wristed one by the pad of Nabokov. The 2nd period would end with both teams having similar stats numbers.
Being in this situation last year, Coach Critter gave a pep talk to his boys during the second intermission. He was quoted as saying, "Don't panic out there. Our chances will come. We need to capitalize on their mistakes and take advantage." Well, just 31 seconds into the 3rd period the San Jose Sharks did just that. Off the faceoff, the Sharks were able to take advantage of poor defensive positioning by the Canucks. A breakaway pass was given to Guerin who walked in and beat Loungo. The Canucks seemed to learn from their mistake because they played solid defensive hockey there after. Both teams had their chances, but both goalies were stellar. The Sharks speed would create another and another chance for the Sharks. With only 2 1/2 minutes left and the Canucks pressing to tie...Thornton and Cheechoo would breakdown the Canucks defense to give them a 2 on 1. Thornton brought the puck into the zone and passed to Cheechoo. Everyone in the building, including Loungo, figured Cheechoo would shoot. But cleverly Cheechoo passed back to Thornton who had a wide open net to shoot in. The nail was in the coffin, and the Sharks would take a 1 game lead in the finals.
Stats:
SJ @ Van
24 shots 19
27 hits 38
3 Stars:
Guerin 1 2
Carle 1 1
Thornton 1 0
posted by Critter3 at 8:42 AM
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