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Stamkos lifts Lightning over Canucks in OT

Dec 12, 2010 - 9:07 AM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Steven Stamkos' one-timer found the back of the net only 34 seconds into overtime to give Tampa Bay a 5-4 victory over Vancouver at Rogers Arena.

Martin St. Louis served Stamkos for the game-winner at the center point, where he slapped it home during a power play that stemmed from a Ryan Kesler high sticking penalty with 37 seconds left in regulation.

"They've got a great power play, give credit to them," said Vancouver forward Henrik Sedin.

Stamkos finished with two goals and an assist for the Lightning, who snapped a two-game skid. Teddy Purcell notched a goal and a helper, while Brett Clark and Nate Thompson also tallied in the win. Dan Ellis turned away 23 shots for the victors.

"It was a big win for us. We've played hard most of the year, but we've given up a few leads the last few games, so it's definitely nice to see Stammer get that big shot," said Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund, who spent 11 years with the Canucks and had not played back in Vancouver until Saturday.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin both lit the lamp and recorded an assist for Vancouver, which has dropped two of its last three games. Keith Ballard and Manny Malhotra added goals -- Ballard's tied the game in the third period -- while Cory Schneider stopped 18-of-23 in the loss.

The Canucks took a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period on a Daniel Sedin goal. Henrik Sedin controlled the puck deep in the zone and crossed it to his wide-open teammate, who stuffed the disc home.

Tampa, though, rattled off three straight goals.

The equalizer came at the 14:05 mark of the first period after Ryan Malone wristed a shot from the right slot. Schneider was unable to find the loose puck and Thompson was there to jam it home.

The Lightning got their first lead of the game 65 seconds into the second period after Clark hammered a rebound from the high slot past a diving Schneider.

The edge was extended two minutes later when Stamkos deflected Mike Lundin's rising slap shot from the right point. The disc hit Stamkos' upper body, bouncing sharply toward the ice and skipping past the goal line.

Malhotra pulled Vancouver within 3-2 with 15 minutes left to play in the second. However, the lead was back to two in favor of Tampa Bay eight minutes later after Stamkos found Purcell slashing down the slot and he was able to sweep it into the back of the net.

The Canucks had a goal streak of their own as they rallied for two scores during the final frame to send the game into overtime.

The lead was cut to one at the 9:38 mark when Daniel Sedin's backhand center pass found a streaking Henrik Sedin, who flipped the puck top shelf for Vancouver's second power-play goal of the game.

The 4-4 equalizer came with 5:47 left to play in regulation as Ballard took the puck the length of the ice and rifled a shot from the right circle that went low past Ellis.

Game Notes

The Bolts ended their three-game road trip in Canada at 1-1-1. They will host Atlanta on Wednesday...Vancouver plays at Northwest Division rival Edmonton on Sunday...The Lightning were 2-of-3 on the power play and the Canucks went 2- of-4...Before the game, Vancouver retired Markus Naslund's No. 19 to the rafters. A first-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 1991 Entry Draft, Naslund scored a franchise-record 346 goals for Vancouver.