Senators top Canucks in Heritage Classic
Posted March 2, 2014 5:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The roof was closed at BC Place as the Vancouver Canucks skated to a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in front of 54,194 fans in the Heritage Classic. Eddie Lack made 24 saves in the loss.
It was the first chance at an outdoor game for the Canucks franchise, but rain in the area kept the roof closed all day. It was the first NHL game played in a stadium with a retractable roof.
The struggling Canucks got off to a terrific start as they built up a 2-0 lead in the first period.
Jason Garrison converted on Vancouver’s first powerplay of the game as his point shot deflected off the stick of New Westminster native Kyle Turris before beating Craig Anderson at the 4:54 mark.
About six-and-a-half minutes later the Canucks were gift-wrapped a second goal. Zack Kassian was at the right place at the right time as an ill-advised pass from a Senators defenseman landed right on his stick before he snapped it five-hole.
The visitors came storming back to tie the game before the first period was up. Clarke MacArthur got Ottawa on the board with a re-direction in front that went post-and-in. Less than two minutes later, the Sens got a powerplay and Erik Karlsson beat a screened Lack with a low wrister to make it 2-2.
Midway through the second period, Cody Ceci gave Ottawa its first lead of the day as he scored just his second career goal. It went on to become his second career game-winner as well.
Later in the period, Canucks winger Daniel Sedin got tangled up in the corner with Ottawa’s Marc Methot. The collision forced Daniel to overstretch his leg, which he favoured as he struggled off the ice and to the dressing room. He did not return and the team did not provide an update on his injury.
Vancouver showed plenty of jump as it tried to get an equalizing goal in the third, but Anderson made 11 of his 31 saves in the final frame to secure the victory.
Colin Greening added an insurance goal into the empty net for Ottawa with Eddie Lack pulled for an extra attacker.
The loss was the ninth in 10 games for the Canucks. They entered the Olympic break on a seven-game losing streak and have gone 1-1-1 since returning to action.
Vancouver has one game remaining prior to Wednesday’s NHL Trade Deadline. The Canucks visit the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.
