Cooke sparks Canucks in win over Kings
Canadian Press
3/25/2004
VANCOUVER (CP) _ As important as the win was, it's how they won that had the Vancouver Canucks smiling after their 1-0 NHL victory over the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night.
Matt Cooke scored in the first period and the Canucks turned in a strong defensive effort as Vancouver snapped a three-game losing streak to stay in the hunt for fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Goaltender Dan Cloutier, returning to action after missing two games with a hip-flexor injury, made 15 saves for his fifth shutout of the season.
``That's our best game in a long time,'' grinned Cooke, who scored his ninth goal of the season off a nice fed from defenceman Marek Malik. ``We carried the momentum and didn't give them much offensively. I think there was more attention to detail.''
It was the fifth consecutive loss for the slumping Kings, who were outshot 27-15.
``We had some chances but didn't hit the net,'' said Los Angeles coach Andy Murray, whose team is in danger of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
``They were a determined team and we give them credit for the win.''
Cloutier faced only eight shots during the first 40 minutes, but had to look sharp in the third. One of his best saves came when Anson Carter intercepted a Brent Sopel pass and drilled a shot that he blocked.
``It was one of the best games of the year defensively,'' said Cloutier, who earned his 28th win of the season.
``The defence played well and the guys came back to help out. It really looked good out there.''
The win was just the second in nine games for the Canucks (2-4-2-1). Vancouver has struggled to regain its poise since right-winger Todd Bertuzzi was suspended for the season and the playoffs for his attack on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche.
``I'm not going to lie, it was very nice to get a win,'' said defenceman Mattias Ohlund.
``We needed a big win and the way we played, I think it's very satisfying.''
The win gives the Canucks 91 points and leaves them just two back of the Dallas Stars in the race for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Stars beat Edmonton 4-3 in overtime.
The loss leaves the Kings with 79 points for 10th place and on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They trail eighth-place Nashville by three points.
Still, Murray said his team isn't ready to book any tee times yet.
``This team has battled all year,'' said Murray, who has seen his club decimated by injuries.
``That's been our mandate. We're not just going to fade away with six games left.''
Canucks captain Markus Naslund had his goal-scoring drought extended to nine games but did earn an assist on Cooke's goal. It was just his second point in six games.
Coach Marc Crawford moved the feisty Cooke up to the first line in hopes of adding some grit to go with the finesse of Naslund and centre Brendan Morrison. Cooke played on the right wing, allowing Naslund to move back to his more familiar left side.
``It's a good sign we were playing well defensively,'' said Naslund.``We might not have the scoring we used to and that's the way to win games.''
NOTES: The game was the 38th consecutive sellout, a Canucks franchise record for a single season at GM Place. . . Jarkko Ruutu missed his second straight game with what the Canucks called a lower-boy injury. ...Vancouver's Brad May thought he had scored in the second period but the play was ruled offside.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
3/25/2004
VANCOUVER (CP) _ As important as the win was, it's how they won that had the Vancouver Canucks smiling after their 1-0 NHL victory over the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night.
Matt Cooke scored in the first period and the Canucks turned in a strong defensive effort as Vancouver snapped a three-game losing streak to stay in the hunt for fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Goaltender Dan Cloutier, returning to action after missing two games with a hip-flexor injury, made 15 saves for his fifth shutout of the season.
``That's our best game in a long time,'' grinned Cooke, who scored his ninth goal of the season off a nice fed from defenceman Marek Malik. ``We carried the momentum and didn't give them much offensively. I think there was more attention to detail.''
It was the fifth consecutive loss for the slumping Kings, who were outshot 27-15.
``We had some chances but didn't hit the net,'' said Los Angeles coach Andy Murray, whose team is in danger of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
``They were a determined team and we give them credit for the win.''
Cloutier faced only eight shots during the first 40 minutes, but had to look sharp in the third. One of his best saves came when Anson Carter intercepted a Brent Sopel pass and drilled a shot that he blocked.
``It was one of the best games of the year defensively,'' said Cloutier, who earned his 28th win of the season.
``The defence played well and the guys came back to help out. It really looked good out there.''
The win was just the second in nine games for the Canucks (2-4-2-1). Vancouver has struggled to regain its poise since right-winger Todd Bertuzzi was suspended for the season and the playoffs for his attack on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche.
``I'm not going to lie, it was very nice to get a win,'' said defenceman Mattias Ohlund.
``We needed a big win and the way we played, I think it's very satisfying.''
The win gives the Canucks 91 points and leaves them just two back of the Dallas Stars in the race for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Stars beat Edmonton 4-3 in overtime.
The loss leaves the Kings with 79 points for 10th place and on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They trail eighth-place Nashville by three points.
Still, Murray said his team isn't ready to book any tee times yet.
``This team has battled all year,'' said Murray, who has seen his club decimated by injuries.
``That's been our mandate. We're not just going to fade away with six games left.''
Canucks captain Markus Naslund had his goal-scoring drought extended to nine games but did earn an assist on Cooke's goal. It was just his second point in six games.
Coach Marc Crawford moved the feisty Cooke up to the first line in hopes of adding some grit to go with the finesse of Naslund and centre Brendan Morrison. Cooke played on the right wing, allowing Naslund to move back to his more familiar left side.
``It's a good sign we were playing well defensively,'' said Naslund.``We might not have the scoring we used to and that's the way to win games.''
NOTES: The game was the 38th consecutive sellout, a Canucks franchise record for a single season at GM Place. . . Jarkko Ruutu missed his second straight game with what the Canucks called a lower-boy injury. ...Vancouver's Brad May thought he had scored in the second period but the play was ruled offside.
Cheers,
Aquaman
