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Green helps Canucks to another home win over Blackhawks

Nov 20, 2006 - 5:54 AM VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- Josh Green's first goal of the season continued a long drought in Vancouver for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Green scored the go-ahead tally in the second period as the Canucks extended their home winning streak to eight against the Blackhawks with a 2-1 victory.

Markus Naslund netted his 10th goal of the campaign for Vancouver, which also won its fifth straight over Chicago. The Canucks beat the Blackhawks, 5-0, on October 25.

During a delayed penalty in the middle session, Green snapped a 1-1 tie by forcing the rebound from defenseman Patrick Coulombe's shot from the right circle under the left pad of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin 6:47 into the period.

"It feels nice especially when the team wins," Green said. "It's not quite as nice when you score and the team doesn't win."

That was enough for Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo, who shut out Chicago after the midway point of the first period. He finished with 22 saves and was assisted by his teammates in the final seconds when the Blackhawks were on a power play.

"This was is a real confidence booster for me," Luongo said. "I felt like I was sharp in my movements. It's good to get a good one on your belt before heading out on the road."

Khabibulin stopped 37 shots and Tuomo Ruutu scored a goal for Chicago, which fell to 1-1-1 during its five-game road trip.

"He (Khabibulin) was very, very good for us, and he needs to be, for us to have a chance to win, we just didn't support him enough with enough offense," Chicago coach Trent Yawney said.

The Canucks struck 2:46 into the opening session when Daniel Sedin made a nice pass to Naslund, who sent the puck past Khabibulin's glove from the right post.

"It was a beautiful play," Naslund said. "I was hoping that he (Sedin) saw me and he did. Just a great play."

The Blackhawks drew even midway through the session on a one-timer by Ruutu from the right faceoff circle.