National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Vancouver 3, Winnipeg 2
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 8, 2012
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Dave Jackson, Tom Kowal
Linesmen: Greg Devorski, Lonnie Cameron
Attendance: 18890

CANUCKS 3, JETS 2: Samuel Pahlsson snapped a tie with 5:43 remaining in the third period as Vancouver edged Winnipeg for just its second win in six games.

Ryan Kesler scored a shorthanded goal, All-Star defenseman Alex Edler also tallied and Cory Schneider made 30 saves for the Canucks, who are 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand.

Defenseman Kevin Bieksa received a pass from Jannik Hansen and dished the puck to Pahlsson, who snapped it past Ondrej Pavelec from the top of the slot for a 3-2 lead. The goal was Pahlsson's first in five games with Vancouver and ended his 28-game drought.

With Edler in the penalty box for tripping, Kesler took advantage of a fortunate carom less than two minutes into the second period to put Vancouver ahead. Winnipeg defenseman Tobias Enstrom's pass up the boards hit referee Tom Kowal, and Kesler grabbed the loose puck in the left faceoff circle and beat Pavelec for his 20th goal.

Kyle Wellwood buried a rebound on the doorstep with 4:38 remaining in the session to tie the contest and Blake Wheeler skated around a diving Edler in the right circle and beat Schneider from in close 3 1/2 minutes into the third to give Winnipeg a 2-1 advantage.

Edler knotted the game less than three minutes later as his wrist shot from the left point deflected off Winnipeg's Bryan Little and past Pavelec.

Pavelec stopped 42 shots for the Jets, who lost in regulation for just the second time in 10 games (6-2-2).

GAME NOTEBOOK: With the loss, Winnipeg dropped out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Washington pulled even with the Jets in points but occupies eighth place by virtue of having one more victory. ... The Canucks improved to 5-0-1 in their last six meetings with the Jets franchise. ... Kesler's goal was just his second in 14 games. ... Wheeler has scored in three straight games and has five tallies in as many contests. ... Pahlsson had not scored since Dec. 31 while with Columbus.
Top Game Performances
 
Winnipeg   Vancouver
Kyle Wellwood 1 Points Alexander Edler 1
Kyle Wellwood 1 Goals Alexander Edler 1
Evander Kane 1 Assists Kevin Bieksa 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals Ryan Kesler 1
Ondrej Pavelec .933 Save Percentage Cory Schneider .938
Ondrej Pavelec 42 Saves Cory Schneider 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Winnipeg 32 2 0-3 1-1 2 29
Vancouver 45 3 0-1 3-3 6 30
Upcoming Games
  • Vancouver will play their next game at home against Montreal. The Canucks have a W/L % of .571 after a win and .692 after a loss.
  • Winnipeg will play their next game on the road against Calgary. The Jets have a W/L % of .406 after a win and .528 after a loss.