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Daniel Sedin scores in OT as Canucks get past Huricanes

Dec 9, 2006 - 6:02 AM VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- Daniel Sedin came to the rescue to prevent a total collapse by the Vancouver Canucks.

Sedin scored in overtime and defenseman Yannick Tremblay had a goal and two assists for the Canucks, who squandered a three-goal lead before posting a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Vancouver netted four power-play tallies in defeating Carolina for the fifth straight time in their first matchup since December 14, 2003. The Hurricanes suffered their third consecutive setback.

"I think we should all be very happy about this game," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. "The fact that we were still able to find a way to win it in overtime says a lot about our crew. Our guys are sticking with it. They're being positive and that's got to continue."

"I think it goes to show you if you simplify things, you get better results," Canucks center Brendan Morrison said. "We shot the puck tonight. We got one that bounced of someone's shaft and went in. If you put the puck on the net, good things happen."

After Hurricanes right wing Scott Walker was called for delay of game in the extra session to give Vancouver a 4-on-3 power play, Sedin clinched the victory with 1:58 left by redirecting twin-brother Henrik's cross-ice feed over goaltender Cam Ward's right pad.

"Any time you lose in overtime, especially on a delay of game penalty, it's tough." Hurricanes center Eric Staal said. "We worked to come back. I thought we fought hard all night but the bottom line is we didn't win and that's what we wanted to do."

The Canucks jumped to a 3-0 lead before Carolina rallied in the third period to tie the contest. Craig Adams netted his fifth tally of the season at the 5:56 mark before Erik Cole added his 12th on a power play nearly 10 minutes later.

Carolina continued to pressure Luongo down the stretch and tied the game with 2:46 remaining in regulation on Mike Commodore's third goal of the season, which got past Luongo and slowly trickled over the goal line.

"In the third, the breaks didn't (go my way)," Luongo said. "The second one went off the post and in and the third was off my shoulder and in. ... They're not the Stanley Cup champions for nothing. They worked hard in the third and it paid off for them."

Vancouver took advantage of defenseman Niklas Wallin's tripping penalty to open the scoring with 9:50 left in the first period. Jan Bullis ended a 13-game streak without a goal by sliding a rebound of captain Markus Naslund's shot past Ward for his fourth tally of the season.

After Carolina blue-liner Bret Hedican was whistled for cross-checking late in the second period, the Canucks struck again as Marc Chouinard scored his first of the season between Ward's pads to a 2-0 lead.

"It was nice to be on the power play, and play with (Markus Naslund)," Chouinard said. "I got a chance to get in front of the net and I was lucky to get a bounce. I was just out there trying to keep it simple in front of the net."

With 1:10 left in the middle session, Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa pulled down Staal on a breakaway to set up a penalty shot. However, Luongo tipped the puck with his glove to thwart Staal's scoring chance.

Blue-liner Yannick Tremblay widened the Canucks advantage to 3-0 at 5:17 of the third period with a one-timer from the left faceoff circle that deflected off Hurricanes center Eric Belanger's stick.

After spending the last two seasons playing in Germany, Tremblay scored his first goal since November 11, 2003, in his first game with the Canucks.

"I didn't come here with any expectations," Tremblay said. "I was coming here trying to do my job. Feed the forwards. If you get them the puck they can do a lot of good things. That was my goal and things worked out good. I am happy with that."

"I thought (Tremblay and Morrison) were capable of finding one another at the blueline," Vigneault said. "The fact that Tremblay shot the puck there on a number of occasions and was able to get the shot through, that was really big for us tonight."

Luongo, who has played in 28 of Vancouver's 29 games, made 36 saves for the Canucks, who are 8-7-0 at home.

The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Ward stopped 27 shots in falling to 13-9-3 for the Hurricanes.

"The penalty kill let us down tonight," Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette said. "The penalty kill had been real strong for us for about five or six games. You're really happy to see your team come back from 3-0 down and your irritated that you didn't get a win when your team needs a win. It's frustrating."