Recap: Vancouver vs. Phoenix
Sports Network | November 07, 2008
Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Kevin Bieska scored the game's lone goal, and Roberto Luongo made 28 saves in his 42nd career shutout, as the Vancouver Canucks blanked the Phoenix Coyotes, 1-0, at General Motors Place.
Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows assisted on Bieska's third goal of the year, and Luongo posted his second consecutive shutout and fourth of the season for the Canucks, who have won four of five.
"The guys have been doing a great job and it helps me a lot. If we can help each other out on the ice like that, we get results," said Luongo.
Despite the loss, Ilya Bryzgalov was sensational in net, stopping 31-of-32 shots for Phoenix, which has dropped four of six. The Coyotes could not convert on any of their three power play opportunities, and Steven Reinprecht led the team with five shots.
"A couple of our big boys didn't play so well tonight," said Phoenix head coach Wayne Gretzky. "You're not going to be successful against a good team like theirs if your top echelon guys aren't there. We just didn't get enough out of some of our better players."
Bieksa gave the Canucks the lead with 8:04 left in the first. Burrows took the puck down the boards and handed it off to Kesler. Kesler found a wide-open Bieksa streaking down the ice, and he was able to beat Bryzgalov before he could position himself.
Vancouver was poised to extend the lead midway through the second, as Mason Raymond found a loose puck in front of the net. Without a defender around him, he launched a shot at point-blank range, but Bryzgalov stuck out his glove to make a brilliant save to keep it a one-goal game.
Phoenix pulled Bryzgalov in the final minute to gain an extra attacker. The Coyotes best chance came from a slapshot from the right circle, but Luongo made the glove save and didn't allow a rebound.
Vancouver has won seven of the past 10 meetings with Phoenix...The Canucks went 0-for-7 on the power play...Kesler notched his seventh assist of the season, while Burrows tallied his sixth...The Coyotes totaled 21 penalty minutes, compared to just 13 for Vancouver.
