Stanley cup Finals; Canucks make big play late, stun Bruins 1-0
Tim Thomas needed to be Superman for the Boston Bruins.
He knew how the Canucks always get so many great opportunities.
And, with this knowledge, he turned back 33 shots.
He also let in one.
Raffi Torres scored with 18.5 seconds left to hand the Canucks a 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. Jannik Hansen and Ryan Kesler assisted on the goal, making huge plays to put Boston away.
Roberto Luongo turned away 36 shots, including nine on a power play, as the Canucks used the power of their star goalie to gain another victory. Boston out-shot Vancouver, but couldn't get the puck in the back of the net.
On the lone goal of the game, Ryan Kesler won a fight for the puck, passed it to Jannik Hansen on the right wing, and Hansen passed to Torres, who was coming down the left side. Torres chopped one just over the stick of Tim Thomas, and the Canucks won the game.
The Bruins, who are 7-3 at home this postseason, had a chance to take home ice, win three more and capture the Cup. Don't get me wrong, they could still win the Cup, but they have to win four of six, and the winner of Game 1 almost always wins the Stanley Cup.
Thomas, who shut out the Lightning in games 3 and 7, almost had another one. He just needed a goal or two, because he let one in with 18 seconds left, and Boston couldn't get anything past Luongo.
Vancouver, who is now 8-3 at home, has a chance to wrap the series up in four games if Luongo plays like this, and if the Canucks get more great opportunities. Tim Thomas can't give up five goals in a game (like he did against Tampa Bay), and he will need to play well day in, day out.
If the Canucks, who are 5-3 on the road this postseason, can take two more on the road and one at home, the series is over, and President's Cup winner will be on top of the world.
But can they?
He knew how the Canucks always get so many great opportunities.
And, with this knowledge, he turned back 33 shots.
He also let in one.
Raffi Torres scored with 18.5 seconds left to hand the Canucks a 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. Jannik Hansen and Ryan Kesler assisted on the goal, making huge plays to put Boston away.
Roberto Luongo turned away 36 shots, including nine on a power play, as the Canucks used the power of their star goalie to gain another victory. Boston out-shot Vancouver, but couldn't get the puck in the back of the net.
On the lone goal of the game, Ryan Kesler won a fight for the puck, passed it to Jannik Hansen on the right wing, and Hansen passed to Torres, who was coming down the left side. Torres chopped one just over the stick of Tim Thomas, and the Canucks won the game.
The Bruins, who are 7-3 at home this postseason, had a chance to take home ice, win three more and capture the Cup. Don't get me wrong, they could still win the Cup, but they have to win four of six, and the winner of Game 1 almost always wins the Stanley Cup.
Thomas, who shut out the Lightning in games 3 and 7, almost had another one. He just needed a goal or two, because he let one in with 18 seconds left, and Boston couldn't get anything past Luongo.
Vancouver, who is now 8-3 at home, has a chance to wrap the series up in four games if Luongo plays like this, and if the Canucks get more great opportunities. Tim Thomas can't give up five goals in a game (like he did against Tampa Bay), and he will need to play well day in, day out.
If the Canucks, who are 5-3 on the road this postseason, can take two more on the road and one at home, the series is over, and President's Cup winner will be on top of the world.
But can they?
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