Jun 11, 2011

Around The NHL: Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 Thoughts

Friday night, The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals by a score of 1-0. Vancouver takes a 3-2 lead in the series, needing just one win to become Stanley Cup Champions with Game 6 coming Monday night in Boston. Roberto Luongo made 31 saves to record the shutout, and Max Lapierre scored his second goal of the playoffs to give the Canucks the lead (and win). 

You can find the Game 5 recap on TSN here:

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CH: This was a fantastic game from start to finish. Lots of mini-storylines in this game with the constant momentum switches. The Canucks broke through on a quirky goal, with Lapierre shooting from almost directly to the side of the net and Tim Thomas out of position. The puck went off Thomas and into the net to give the Canucks the lead. That said, Thomas was absolutely brilliant again tonight. He kept the Bruins in the game with some incredible saves, but it just wasn't enough as Roberto Luongo was outstanding as well. The Canucks played great team defense tonight, but when that wasn't there Luongo was there to back them up. A far cry from Games 3 and 4, and an ovation well deserved from the Vancouver crowd.

AT: I couldn't even tell if it was a real setup or just a missed shot, but knowing Bieksa it was a great way to set Lapierre up for the goal. Great way to beat the seemingly impenetrable Thomas.  You have to hand it to Lou. He deserved some (very well deserved) criticism after games 3 and 4 and he comes back home and throws up a shutout. The goalies have made this series as exciting as it is.

The one disappointing thing from this game was the constant flopping by guys like Alex Burrows and Max Lapierre. There is no doubt this series has been intense, and that's an understatement. Vancouver had 33 hits in the first 35 minutes of the game. Still, after every whistle if someone even breathed on Burrows he flopped down like a dying fish. It's unacceptable. The worst part is that on plays like the Milan Lucic slewfoot, Burrows didn't have to embellish it at all. It was a clear penalty, but he hurt himself and his team. The irony of it all was watching Chris Higgins falling on a legitimate tripping penalty, and then getting reprimanded on his bench for diving. That's the reputation the Canucks have set for themselves.

AT: They really need to leave stuff like that to soccer. This is the Stanley Cup finals.. play like it is.

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Previewing Game 6 would really just state the obvious. It will be a complete battle out there. I do have to say though, I'd like to see the Cup awarded at home for the first time since 2007. So I'll be rooting for Vancouver in a seventh game, but there's no question Game 6 will be a great one no matter the outcome.

Later today we'll have our next draft prospect preview up.

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