Local Vancouver Sports from CKNW

The Vancouver Canucks picked up two third period goals from Alex Burrows and Chris Higgins to out wait the St Louis Blues and shutout one of the hottest teams in the NHL 2-0.

The Blues came out storming in this one, looking to build an early lead and outshooting the Canucks 10-0 in the opening six minutes of the game. However, goaltender Roberto Luongo was sharp early and throughout the game, stopping all 29 shots that he faced on the night to pick up his 58th career shutout.

The Blues employed a hard fore-checking, chip and chase style that kept the Vancouver defence on their toes all evening and for the better part of the first 40 minutes, the Blues controlled the play. Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock stated post game that he was disappointed only because his team was out of gas after playing the night before in Edmonton, but it in no way accounted for the team not competing hard in the final 20 minutes and losing the game.

Newcomers Zack Kassian, Samuel Pahlsson and Marc-Andre Gragnani made their home debuts, with Kassian drawing praise from Vancouver Head Coach Alain Vigneault after the game. Vigneault relayed that Kassian was everything that his scouts had told him he would be and that he did a capable job in the time that he was on the ice. The line of Kassian, Maxim Lapierre and Manny Malhotra/Chris Higgins were solid throughout and became better as the night progressed.

Vancouver moves three points clear of the Blues and Red Wings for the overall lead in the Western Conference and are two points clear of the New York Rangers for the overall NHL lead.

The Canucks will play again on Saturday night as Cody Hodgson and the suddenly hot Buffalo Sabres make a rare visit to Vancouver.