Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
VANCOUVER — Trevor Linden is tired of celebrating a loss as the greatest moment in Canucks history.
As far as Linden, a longtime Vancouver star who retired three years ago, is concerned, it's time to relegate the 1994 playoff run, which ended with a Game 7 loss to the Rangers, to No. 2.
"This team … will be celebrated for all the right reasons," Linden, the captain of the 1994 team, said Wednesday, a day after the Canucks ousted the Sharks with a 3-2 double-overtime win. "After 17 years, it isn't a topic I was particularly comfortable talking about. We didn't win, right?"
After Vancouver forced overtime on Ryan Kesler's goal with 13.2 seconds left in regulation, the winner came in strange fashion. Alex Edler tried to send the puck into the corner. Instead, it caromed off the glass on the sideboards to Kevin Bieksa just inside the blue line. While everyone else — including San Jose goalie Antti Niemi — believed the puck went out of play, Bieksa's shot went in.
"Probably the ugliest goal of my career," he said. "It was just a knuckleball that I barely got enough wood on to get it on net."
After the game, the atmosphere around Vancouver was similar to last year's Olympics there, which ended with Canada winning the gold medal in hockey. Roberto Luongo was in goal for that win, too.
"A lot of guys in the locker room haven't had a chance to be where we are right now, including myself," said Luongo, who made 54 saves. "Obviously, we have the biggest step of all ahead of us. But right now, we're having the time of our lives and enjoying every step of the way."
Rafalski retires: Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski, 37, retired after 11 seasons. Limited to a career-low 63 games this season by back and knee injuries, he said spending time with his family in good health was more important than the $6 million he would have made next season.
Islanders: Wing Kyle Okposo agreed to a five-year, $14 million deal. This season, Okposo, 23, who could have been a restricted free agent, had five goals and 15 assists in 38 games.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/vancouver-hopes-to-make-better-history/1171843
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