Canucks 2 - 3 Blues
Final
  for this game

Backes lifts Blues over Canucks

Nov 5, 2011 - 4:37 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - David Backes scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, helping the St. Louis Blues beat the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2.

Backes also had an assist for the Blues, who snapped a two-game skid. T.J. Oshie had two goals and an assist.

Brian Elliott made 28 saves to improve to 5-1-0 this year.

Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler lit the lamp for the Canucks, who fell to 6-7-1 on the young season.

Roberto Luongo turned aside 25-of-28 shots in defeat.

With the score tied at 2-2, Backes gave St. Louis the lead at the 5:59 mark of the third period. Kevin Shattenkirk made a pass from behind the net to Backes, whose initial shot from in front was stopped. Luongo was unable to fully control the puck, allowing Backes to jam home his own rebound for a 3-2 edge.

"Just stay around [the net] and keep digging until the whistle blows. It's no secret that's where goals are scored," Backes said.

The Canucks failed to tie the game late with Luongo pulled for the extra attacker.

Vancouver broke a scoreless tie at the 13:13 mark of the first period. After the Blues turned the puck over in their own zone, Burrows fired a shot on net from the right circle. A bouncing puck got past Elliott.

Oshie's backhander from the slot made it 1-1 at the 14:50 mark.

Oshie's second goal of the night at the 1:28 mark of the middle stanza made it 2-1. Backes' wraparound attempt resulted in a mad scramble for the puck in front. Oshie found the loose puck and beat Luongo.

Kesler's power-play goal 23 seconds into the third made it a 2-2 game. Dan Hamhuis' one-timer from the top of the right circle was stopped by Elliott, but Kesler jammed home the rebound.

"I feel like it was a good step forward and if we keep playing like this we're going to win a lot more games than we're going to lose," Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa said.

Game Notes

The Blues shut out the Canucks, 3-0, on October 26...Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, World Series MVP David Freese and Chris Carpenter participated in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the game...St. Louis went 0-for-2 on the power play to fall to 3-for-38 on the man advantage this year...Vancouver defenseman Sami Salo (groin) missed the game...The Blues were without defenseman Kent Huskins (ankle).






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