Canucks Rewind: Alex Burrows’ series-sweeping OT winner vs. Blues
Throughout this series, Burrows had been playing an important, albeit slightly secondary role within the Canucks’ forward group. He had registered one goal and six shots entering Game 4 and was continuing to act as a solid complimentary piece to some of the more explosive players on the roster.
But, like we’ve seen before in the history of the Stanley Cup, teams cannot succeed with only one or two superstars; it takes an entire roster to win, and it only takes one moment for any of those players to propel themselves to another level.
Burrows captured his moment at the most opportune time.
After chasing down a bank pass from defenceman Willie Mitchell, Burrows entered into the Blues’ offensive zone, quickly picking up speed on the right flank. With less than 20 seconds on the clock, as well as an opposing blueliner approaching and no other teammates in sight, Burrows’ options were limited, so he did what most other players would do: put the puck on the net.
And what a decision that would turn out to be.
His quick wrister whizzed past the Blues netminder, sending his teammates and coaches into the second round with pure excitement. More importantly, it allowed management and fans to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Statistically speaking, the Canucks would’ve still been the likely victors of this series, even if St. Louis had come away with the Game 4 overtime victory. But you can never underestimate how far momentum can carry a team, especially ones with previous playoff success and that have nothing to lose.
Plus, let’s be real. If any club were to blow a 3-0 series lead, it would be the unlucky Canucks.
Fortunately, Burrows made sure that his team wouldn’t have had to experience that push back.
The Canucks did end up falling to the Blackhawks in the next round, but it still didn’t cloud the importance of Burrows’ game four heroics.
His overtime tally stamped the first four-game series sweep in franchise history, an accomplishment that has yet to be repeated to this day, and it elevated Burrows’ role and impact on this team to even greater heights for years to come.
And the best part of all of this? It wouldn’t be the last time that Burrows would tally a series-clinching overtime winner for the Canucks.
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