Canucks Weather Avalanche

Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond both scored their 5th goal of the season to do what few NHL teams have done this season – defeat the Colorado Avalanche.

In what would seem like a year of parity in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks proved what the Anaheim Ducks proved to them two nights earlier: You can be embarassed one night, and come back to have a strong night the next.  Just as the Ducks had been humbled by the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 and bounced back against Vancouver, so too did the Canucks get pounded one night (7-2 versus the Ducks) and rebounded for a 3-0 win.

Andrew Raycroft makes one of 18 saves off his skate - Photo by Nick Didlick/Getty Images

Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson came into the game leading the NHL with wins, saves, and save percentage.  His club set a franchise record to open the season with 10 wins in October.  Mason Raymond tallied his fifth of the season to open the scoring, in what has to be considered a grittier year for the winger, going to the net with more aplomb.  “We wanted to get to him and get those second and third opportunities and whack them home.”

Andrew Raycroft made 18 stops en route to his first shutout in nearly two years.  “That was a big win for us,” noted Raycroft, who was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 22 shots versus Anaheim Friday.  “We didn’t play our best the other night.  Three (games) in four (nights), travel and everything else: We played well against the best team in the league and shut them down.”

Ryan Kesler also scored his fifth of the year, and added an assist, playing very well in both ends of the rink, tightening up the defense after obtaining the lead.  “I thought we played well tonight, especially in the the physical department.  I thought we outmuscled them all over the ice and dominated them.”

Ryan Kesler shoves home a Sami Salo rebound - AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Sam Leung

Tanner Glass appeared to have his first as a Canuck in the second period, only to put a 4 foot shot off the crossbar during a scramble in front of Anderson.  But he wasn’t to be denied the milestone, as a fortuitous bounce off Scott Hannan’s skate after Anderson made the initial stop, made it 3-0 Vancouver.

The Canucks got Kyle Wellwood back for the game after injuring his toe blocking a shot eight days earlier.  But, in what has been a season of injury, they lost Michael Grabner who rolled his ankle in the pre-game warm-up.  “He’ll be out for quite some time,” lamented head coach Alain Vigneault.

The Canucks face the New York Rangers Tuesday night at GM Place, then take to the road for back to back games in Minnesota and Dallas Thursday and Friday night.

Kyle Wellwood congratulates Tanner Glass on his 1st goal as a Canuck