Canucks shutout Islanders

Lack makes 27 saves after replacing injured Miller

               










On Sunday, February 22, the Canucks defeated the New York Islanders 4-0 at the Nassau Coliseum, with help from the 27 saves made by Eddie Lack. Lack replaced Ryan Miller early in the second period after Miller sustained a lower body injury. Zack Kassian, Radim Vrbata, Bo Horvat, and Jannik Weber scored the only four goals of the game for the Canucks, with two of them scored on the power play. Lack's last shutout was against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Centre on December 4th, 2014. He is also expected to start the next game on Tuesday, February 24 against the Boston Bruins while Miller recovers, as the Canucks continue their five game road trip.

Kassian celebrates his goal with his teammates

Canucks vs Bruins

Canucks celebrate Shawn Matthias' first hat trick as a Canuck

     On Friday, February 13th, the Canucks faced the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena, winning 5-2, with goals from Vrbata, Hansen, and a hat trick from 26 year old Shawn Matthias. Within the first five minutes, Matthias scored twice to give the Canucks a 2-0 lead, but Patrice Bergeron scored shortly after to make it 2-1 by the end of the first period. Radim Vrbata made it 3-1 in the second period, and Boston's Chris Kelly scored early in the third to make it 3-2. A few seconds later, Shawn Matthias scored once again, for his third goal of the night, and for his first hat trick since junior hockey and as a Canuck. Jannik Hansen added one last goal on the Bruins' empty net, making the final score 5-2. Shawn Matthias, who played for the Florida Panthers before coming to Vancouver, was part of the trade, along with Jacob Markstrom, for Roberto Luongo.

Matthias scores on Bruins' goalie Tuukka Rask

Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Aren

On Saturday, February 7th, the Pittsburgh Penguins visited Rogers Arena for the only time this season. The Canucks defeated the Penguins 5-0, with goals from Alex Burrows, Daniel Sedin, Bo Horvat, Shawn Matthias, and Zack Kassian. Burrows put the Canucks on the scoreboard 7 minutes into the first period on the power play, and rookie Bo Horvat scored 3 minutes later to make it 2-0 at the end of the first. Early in the second period, Pittsburgh defenseman Derrick Pouliot scored on Ryan Miller, but it was considered no goal, causing the Canucks to hold on to their lead. Shawn Matthias scored 15 minutes later to increase the Canucks' lead, and Kassian scored soon after to make it 4-0 at the end of the second period. Daniel Sedin added another power play goal 2 minutes into the third, to making it 5-0, which would eventually be the final score. Ryan Miller made 31 saves for his sixth shutout of this season, and for the third star of the game. Vancouver now has a record of 29-19-3 (win-loss-overtime/shootout loss), and has concluded their six game homestand, with their next two games away, against the Minnesota Wild on Monday and the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Bo Horvat #53 celebrates his goal

Alexandre Burrows #14 scores on Thomas Greiss #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins

SUPERBOWL XLIX

Who did you root for? It was all eyes and ears on the Patriots and the Seahawks during the Super Bowl today, February 1st, 2015. The New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24, for their fourth title, in the 49th annual Super Bowl. With 20 seconds left, Patriots' Malcolm Butler helped his team hold on to their lead by intercepting Seahawks' Russell Wilson's pass in the end zone to Ricardo Lockette- a play that would eventually lead the New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl title in a decade. Katy Perry performed at the halftime show, with appearances from Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliot as well. All in all, the 49th Super Bowl was definitely a nail-biting and riveting game with an intense end. Congrats, Pats, and maybe next year, Seattle.