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Kesler finishes hat trick in OT, lifts Canucks over Columbus

Dec 16, 2010 - 7:12 AM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Ryan Kesler completed his first career hat trick by scoring the game-winner with 1:30 left to play in overtime, giving Vancouver a 3-2 victory over Columbus at Rogers Arena.

The Canucks went on the power play at the 2:45 mark of the extra period after a Jan Hejda boarding penalty. On Vancouver's second rush of the advantage, Daniel Sedin took the puck down the left side and sent a floating pass to Kesler, who put a shot home for the win.

"It felt like the puck was magnetized to me," Kesler said. "It's just one of those games where you feel good out there."

Roberto Luongo stopped 28-of-30 shots for Vancouver, which has won seven of its last nine contests.

Tom Sestito scored his first NHL goal for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped eight of their last 10 games. Derick Brassard notched a goal while Mathieu Garon made 27 saves in the loss.

"If you can come into Vancouver and get a point that's great," Sestito said. "We were close to getting two."

Vancouver opened the scoring during the final 30 seconds of the first period. Alexander Edler settled a bouncing puck at the top of the offensive zone and passed it to Kesler, who snapped the shot in from the left circle.

Columbus got the equalizer nine minutes into the second when Jakub Voracek picked up the loose disc near the right boards and carried it into the left circle. After holding it for a split second, he sent a wrister that Brassard re-directed past Luongo.

Kesler regained the lead midway through the middle stanza as he stole the puck in his offensive zone and found himself on a breakaway. He was able to slip the puck between Garon's legs for the goal.

The game was evened up yet again on Sestito's power-play goal at 7:34 of the final frame.

Game Notes

Columbus has dropped five straight games on the road...Luongo is 8-5-4 in his career against Columbus...The Canucks have won four straight and five of their last six overall versus the Blue Jackets...Vancouver was 1-for-5 on the power play, while Columbus was 1-for-3.