Kesler scores in return as Canucks blank Coyotes

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Ryan Kesler scored the winning goal in his first game back from injury and Cory Schneider made 19 saves for his fifth shutout of the year as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0.

Kesler played in his first game since Feb. 26, as he returned from a broken foot.

Just under seven-and-a-half minutes into the first period, Kesler opened the scoring. Kevin Bieksa whiffed on a point shot and it went right to Mason Raymond at the side of the net. Raymond shot it across the crease off the far post, and Kesler tapped it in for his second goal of the year.

The Canucks continued their strong play in the second period, but weren’t rewarded for their efforts. After Alex Burrows had a potential powerplay goal waved off midway through the period, the Canucks thought they had scored in the final seconds on another man advantage. Video review showed that Henrik Sedin had kicked the puck into the net, so the goal was disallowed.

Through two periods, the Canucks were outshooting Phoenix 32-15, however, Mike Smith was stellar to keep it a one-goal game.

Late in the third period, Kesler took a tripping penalty, giving the Coyotes one last chance to pull even.

Phoenix pulled the goalie to make it a 6-on-4 advantage, but a pass back to the point eluded everyone and slid all the way down the ice into the open net. Dan Hamhuis was given credit for the goal, as he was the last Canuck to touch the puck.

Schneider was making his 11th straight start in goal for the Canucks and has put up a 9-2-0 record during that time. The shutout was also his fourth in the past nine games.

Smith ended the night with 40 saves and was named the first star of the game.

The Canucks will now head out on a five-game road trip, beginning in Calgary on Wednesday.

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