Canucks avoid collapse, edge Blackhawks in game 7 overtime

VANCOUVER (AP) — never nothing comes easy for the Vancouver Canucks against the Chicago Blackhawks, and game 7 was no exception. By Darryl Dyck, AP

The Canucks Christian Ehrhoff, left and Alex Burrows celebrate first period goal against the Blackhawks ' Burrows in Vancouver.

By Darryl Dyck, AP

The Canucks Christian Ehrhoff, left and Alex Burrows celebrate first period goal against the Blackhawks ' Burrows in Vancouver.

Alex Burrows (FSY) would have any other way. For him, finally knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion makes the victory that much sweeter.Burrows scored his second goal 5: 22 in an extraordinary that he began to sweat in the penalty box, and the Canucks avoided a collapse in playoff history by knocking out Chicago in the first round with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night.In a game full of drama and playoff ghosts for a Canucks team that had been knocked out of the last two playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews (FSY) scored his first shorthanded goal with 1: 56 left to force overtime.But a few minutes after Roberto Luongo (FSY) slid in to steal Sharp Patrick (FSY) on the power play, Burrows took advantage of a turnover of Chris Campoli (FSY) and fired a slap shot over the right shoulder of rookie goalie Chicago Corey Crawford (FSY) ".I think she feels even better to get it done this way, "said Burrows, who opened the 2: 43 points in the game. "We don't make it easy on ourselves."If the goal was the game redemption for Burrows, who failed to convert a penalty shot 21 seconds in the third period, the game was a resurrection to Luongo. Pulled games 4 and 5 and benched to start game 6 after being lit up and knocked out by Chicago two seasons followed, he finished with 31 saves. "The last three or four games that I feel that I tested, "Luongo said. "You always say in difficult times that is when you see the true character of someone, so obviously it was a big game today in my career."

Canucks win series 4-3.

Game 1: Vancouver 2, Chicago 0

Game 2: Vancouver 4, Chicago 3

Game 3: Vancouver 3, Chicago 2

Game 4: Chicago 6, Vancouver 2

Game 5: Chicago 5, Vancouver 0

Game 6: Chicago 4, Vancouver 3 (OT)

Game 7: Vancouver 2, Chicago 1 (OT)

Despite losing, the same could be said for Crawford. The rookie made 36 saves and was the best match of the player, while Chicago himself with a handful of highlight stops before Burrows hit a puck past him rolling. "" He was a warrior out there, "said Toews.He fought as hard as anyone. Everyone wants to talk about Luongo all the time and the superstars, but for a rookie goaltender was awesome and I can't say enough about it. "Vancouver won the first three games before the current champion roared back with three straight victories, threatening to spoil the season Presidents Trophy winner of Canucks, becoming only the fourth time in NHL history to erase a 2-0 series deficit. Instead, Vancouver will host the Nashville in the second round. "We needed to overcome this hump, "said Ryan Kesler (FSY), who set up the first goal. "It was very sweet to beat them ... I can't describe the feeling. "Burrows could not have imagined feeling if Chicago scored after he took a penalty of 24 seconds into overtime. But Luongo made a slider to take a backdoor net empty Patrick Sharp ".I thanked him for that after the game, "Burrows said. "It was the worst place to be, in the penalty box, but Lou did a great defense and I was able to return".Crawford made several brilliant stops to keep it close. He turned away Burrows shot penalty and made three great saves more with 5 minutes left, denying Chris Higgins cut alone in tight, sprawling stop Burrows on the rebound and then dip his stomach to attempt sharp angle glove Kesler a empty net. Toews tied it three minutes later.With Vancouver on a power play with the chance to finally extend their advantage home, Toews split the defence off a rush 2-on-4 to set up Marian Hossa (FSY) to have a chance in front. He was stopped, but Toews lifted the rebound over Luongo sprawled ".Not a lot of guys in the League can do that, "said Luongo. "That's why he won the Conn Smythe, the MVP of the Olympic Games. It was a massive part by he shorthanded and that is why he is the leader of the team. "Blackhawks, who were forced to launch several protagonists of the winning team of the Cup to stay under the salary cap, barely got out of the regular season, losing their last game and they need help on the last day only playoffs. They seemed a seed No. 8 sometimes while losing the first three games, but remembered the four past the defending champions. "I don't think anyone would have believed that he would have returned and forced a game 7, Crawford said. "It could have been our way."Notes: Vancouver D Sami Salo (FSY) did not play after getting hurt early in game 6. Keith Ballard (FSY), zero games the last two a surprise, took his place alongside Andrew Alberts (FSY) on a third pairing. ... Chicago moved Brouwer to Dave Bolland (FSY), checking line after Bryan Bickell (FSY) had surgery to repair a tendon sliced Monday. ... Fernando Pisani (FSY) and Markus Kruger were back training in Chicago, while 6-foot-8 John Scott (FSY), who played 59 seconds in game 6, was scratched. ... Vancouver had 12 players with previous experience of game 7. Chicago had five. ... Chicago is the seventh time in NHL history to force a game 7 after falling behind 3-0.

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