Canucks 2 - 1 Stars
Final
  for this game

Schneider strong as Canucks clip Stars

Mar 23, 2012 - 6:24 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Cory Schneider stopped 25-of-26 shots and Kevin Bieksa notched the winner early in the third period as Vancouver walked out of Dallas with a 2-1 victory at American Airlines Center.

Mason Raymond scored in the first period for the Canucks, who had dropped four of five coming in.

"This was a big win for us because we are that much closer to clinching now," said Raymond. "We're starting to click again and it's good to get on a roll heading into the playoffs."

Vernon Fiddler's third-period tally wasn't enough for the Stars, who have lost three of four after winning six straight.

Kari Lehtonen made 26 saves in defeat.

"We had a game plan to play fast, but instead got caught in extracurricular activities," said Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan. "Saturday will show our sense of urgency."

Vancouver sits firmly in the second spot in the Western Conference with 97 points while Dallas is in the eighth spot in the conference and is tied with Colorado in points, but holds the tiebreaker and has two games in hand.

Bieksa followed up his own rebound and scored inside the right post for a 2-0 Canucks edge at 4:18 of the third period, but Dallas got on the board thanks to a goaltending gaffe.

Schneider whiffed when trying to clear a Fiddler dump-in behind his net, and the puck laid in the crease near the left post before the charging winger followed up and tapped the disc in at 7:44.

The Stars already had an extra attacker on when Bieksa was called for high sticking with 45 seconds remaining, but the hosts couldn't find a shot on goal, much less an equalizer with a 6-on-4 edge.

Vancouver opened the scoring just under five minutes in, as Henrik Sedin fed through the legs of a teammate in the slot for a one-timer by Raymond at the left side.

Ribeiro was hooked from behind on a breakaway with 7:05 remaining in the second and was awarded a penalty shot. He misfired on a backhander and the shot hit Schneider in the chest.

Game Notes

After sweeping Dallas a season ago, Vancouver won for the first time in three meetings this year...The final matchup is set for March 30 in Vancouver...Canucks forward Daniel Sedin did not play, still feeling the effects of taking an elbow from Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith on Wednesday. Sedin traveled back to Vancouver for further evaluation...Ribeiro has failed to score on three career penalty shot.






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