Lou-less in Los Angeles

After a disappointing loss at home, the Canucks outlasted the L.A. Kings 2-1 with a shootout victory, backstopped by Andrew ‘Rayzor’ Raycroft.

After Roberto Luongo was diagnosed with a hairline rib fracture on Tuesday, the club called up Cory Schneider from the Manitoba Moose (he currently has the best record in the AHL) to backup Andrew Raycroft for their western road trip.  Canucks fans were delighted to learn that, despite a lengthy wait behind Luongo (who had started every game thus far this season), Raycroft showed no signs of rust whatsoever.

Andrew Raycroft was outstanding in 1st start

All of the regulation offense was generated in the first period.   Scott Parse opened the scoring for the Kings at 11:27, but Mikael Samuelsson tied it seven minutes later with his 6th of the season.  Though the game was fairly emotional, and there were a number of good hits (Drew Doughty of the Kings laid a good one on Alex Burrows in the third period), there were only 7 minor penalties between the teams.

All of the nail-biting commenced in the overtime session with the clubs unable to break the 1-1 deadlock.  After Michal Handzus missed the Kings’ first attempt in the shootout, Ryan Kesler put one past goaltender Jonathon Quick, who was good, if not busy, finishing with 14 saves (shootout attempts do not count towards regulation statistics).  Young defenseman Jack Johnson replied right back with a goal of his own.  Mason Raymond missed the next shot, and Raycroft came through again with a nice save off (recently hot) Ryan Smyth.  That set the table for the following moment provided by Jeff Gross/Getty Images:

Beauty backhand

The win moved Vancouver into 9th place in the Western conference, just 1 point back of Edmonton and Calgary (though the Flames still hold 2 games in hand). Los Angeles still leads their respective (Pacific) division with 18 points.  Considering the loss dropped L.A. to 4-1-1 at home, the win was dually impressive for the Canucks, who continue the road trip tonight in Anaheim against the Ducks.  The Ducks are desperately looking for some home success, as they are 1-5-0 thus far at Arrowhead Pond.  They are 3-6-1 overall this season, having lost four straight.

Teammates congratulate Mikael Samuelsson after his shootout winner