Canucks fall in a shootout to the Blue Jackets

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Alex Wennberg scored the only goal in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied to beat Vancouver 2-1 in the Canucks’ first game following the All-Star break. Ryan Miller made 27 saves in the loss.

Vancouver hadn’t played since losing to Nashville on Jan. 26, and has now dropped three games in a row.

The Canucks opened the scoring on their first powerplay of the game. Bo Horvat carried the puck down the left side and put a cross-crease pass right on the stick of Linden Vey, who buried his second goal of the season. Sven Baertschi drew the second assist on the goal.

Columbus tied things up on a powerplay of its own in the third period. Cam Atkinson set up Scott Hartnell in the slot and his quick shot beat Miller, who was screened by Boone Jenner standing in front.

Jannik Hansen had a great chance to end the game in the early moments of overtime, as he broke in alone before having his shot go off the crossbar and stay out. Hansen beat Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo with a quick deke on the doorstep but was unable to tuck the puck under the bar.

Vancouver also had a chance to get the winner on a powerplay as William Karlsson took an interference penalty at the 2:26 mark. Radim Vrbata had the best opportunity to score, but Korpisalo got across to stop his attempt from the left side.

The missed chances in overtime cost the Canucks, as Alex Burrows, Vrbata and Baertschi were unsuccessful in the shootout, while Wennberg beat Miller with a wrist-shot on the Jackets’ third attempt.

It was an extra sweet victory for Columbus head coach John Torterella, as he was visiting Vancouver for the first time since being fired by the Canucks after the 2013-2014 season.

The Canucks will wrap-up their three-game homestand on Saturday against the Calgary Flames.

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