WTF Was That??? Canucks 7 Ducks 6 (SO)

Ok, that had to be the most messed up game I can recall the Canucks being involved in for a long time. Each period was a game unto its self. The Canucks played well in the first, apart from the penalty issues that continue to plague them, and didn't give up after surrendering 2 quick PP goals to the Ducks. Steve Bernier continued his strong play, and his first period goal set this crazy night in motion. The second period, more Canucks penalties, yet the Canucks rattled off 4 goals on 13 shots, the 4th goal of the night chasing J.S. Giguere, and then Jonas Hiller gave up his first one, the Canucks now have a 5-2 lead and it's all good, right? Wrong. Just a couple moments later, the game is now tied in what has to be some of the sloppiest and craziest few minutes of hockey in recent memory. Moving on to the 3rd, and it's Bernier again, using his size and speed to charge in and scoop the carom off the boards of a Kevin Bieksa shoot-in and the Canucks are back in the lead. But with the goalie pulled, an uncharacteristically bad attempt to clear the zone by Mattias Ohlund leads to Corey Perry's last minute goal, his 5th point of the night. OT solves nothing so they go to the shootout. An amazing deke from Kyle Wellwood puts the Canucks up, but it's matched by Ryan Getzlaf. It doesn't end until Vancouver's 13th shooter, Mattias Ohlund makes amends for his goof in the 3rd and ends it, giving the Canucks the 7-6 win to sweep the mini road trip to California. A few things came to mind as I looked at the aftermath of this game:
- The Oilers have now dropped to the division basement, and this time they don't have injuries as a reason for their slump. It's early, but things aren't looking good in Oil Country right now.
- The next hockey writer to say the Canucks have trouble scoring this year is gonna get a smack, as they are now 3rd in goals for. Seriously, it's as bad as the Obama hangs with terrorists line...
- Luongo may not have played like he did against LA, but when he needed to make the big saves in OT and the shootout he did, some amazing stuff there in the skills competition...
- After that horrendous road trip, and for how good the Flames and Wild have played lately, there we are tied for the division lead... makes me look forward to our first matchup against the Mild...
- We get another shot at Detroit Sunday, and I hear the 7th man may actually show up for this one.

Overall the last 7 days have been good for the Canucks. They've won 3 of 4, scored 17 goals, allowing 10, and made up for those losses on the eastern swing. a 2 week homestand and a chance to really put together some wins can help set them up for the season, and it all starts tomorrow against the Wings.