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Canucks beat Blues to remain red-hot

Dec 21, 2010 - 6:56 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Ryan Kesler scored what proved to be the deciding goal midway through the second period to help lift Vancouver over St. Louis, 3-1, at Scottrade Center.

Jeff Tambellini and Aaron Volpatti also scored for the Canucks, who have won four straight and improved to 9-1-1 in the last 11.

"If we can be physical and score some timely goals we'll get some wins," said Tambellini.

Roberto Luongo only had to make 15 saves for the win.

Alexander Steen scored the lone goal for St. Louis, which has lost four of the its last five. Jaroslav Halak gave up three goals on 29 shots in the loss.

"This doesn't give us any momentum here," said Steen. "Too many penalties kill you and that's what happened to us here. They're a good power play team and they get you running around."

After a scoreless first period Volpatti put the Canucks on the board with a wrist shot from the right side at the 7:12 mark of the second.

Vancouver took a 2-0 lead on a a 2-on-1 break led by Kesler. He ended up taking the shot himself, wristing it low past Halak.

St. Louis halved the lead with just over two minutes left in the same period on Steen's 10th goal of the season. He was able to weave through a crowd of defenders from the left circle and into the slot where he finished with a backhand.

The Canucks received a fortunate high-sticking call on David Bakes with 3 1/2 minutes left to play. They were able to capitalize with just six seconds left in the advantage when Tambellini jammed home Mikael Samuelsson's centering pass from behind the net.

Game Notes

The Canucks were 0-4 on the power play before Tambellini's goal...Toronto was 0-for-3 on the man advantage...Vancouver's Daniel Sedin had his 10-game point streak halted...The Blues have given up 16 goals in their last four games.