Canucks 4, Sharks 3
Cody Hodgson scored twice and capped a stretch of three goals in 92
seconds with the game-winner in the third period as the Vancouver
Canucks edged the visiting San Jose Sharks, 4-3, in a meeting of
first-place teams on Saturday.
Roberto Luongo made 23 saves to earn his 212th win for the Canucks, passing Kirk McLean for first place on the franchise’s all-time list.
Hodgson’s 13th tally came with 4:17 left in the third
period. Setting up from a bad angle on the right side, Hodgson sent a
shot toward the goal that bounced off a skate and skipped past Antti
Niemi.
Ryan Kesler had snapped the 2-2 deadlock and put Vancouver ahead
with 5:49 left in the third. Streaking up the left side, Kesler settled
a bouncing puck and cut to the middle, moving the puck between his legs
before cutting it back out and wristing it past Niemi.
Just 36 seconds later, Joe Pavelski set up behind the Canucks net and
backhanded a pass in front to Dan Boyle, who knocked it in for his
fourth tally, tying it again at 3-3.
Logan Couture did his best to keep the Sharks in the game, scoring
once shorthanded and once on the power play. The 22-year old center also
had the save of the game when he dove in front of the net to block a
shot in the third period.