GAME ESSENTIALS
THE SKINNY
After a fi rst period in which they barely threatened, the Canucks opened scoring at the 1: 31 mark of the second when Zac Dalpe, promoted to the fi rst line, defl ected a Daniel Sedin shot past Brian Elliott. The lead lasted for less than seven minutes as Sochi- bound Blues’ defenceman Alex Pietrangelo ( right) slapped one past Eddie Lack from the right point, making it 1- 1 after 40 minutes. Mike Santorelli, at 5: 56 of the third, gave the Canucks their second lead and this time they held on for a nail- biting 2- 1 win.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Blues gave up the fi rst goal for just the 14th time in 44 games ... Despite the loss, St. Louis leads the league in goal differential by a wide margin at plus- 62 ... The Canucks improved to 6- 1- 6 when tied after two periods while the Blues fell to 7- 2- 0 when all square after 40 minutes ... The Canucks’ record against Central Division teams improved to 6- 3- 1 ... Blues’ goalie Brian Elliott ( right) lost for just the second time in regulation this season ( 13- 2- 2) ... Mike Santorelli’s game- winner was his second goal in 14 games.
COACH’S CORNER
Canucks bench boss John Tortorella ( right) worked his 900th regularseason game Friday, which is sixth on the active list behind the Hawks’ Joel Quenneville ( 1,257), the Stars’ Lindy Ruff ( 1,208), the Blues’ Ken Hitchcock ( 1,202), the Predators’ Barry Trotz ( 1,159) and the Kings’ Darryl Sutter ( 1,003). Alain Vigneault appeared in his 852nd game Friday, a 3- 2 win over the Stars. Coach V’s total includes 540 with Vancouver, a franchise record.
By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun
SUPERSKILLS
The Canucks stage their SuperSkills event on Saturday at Rogers Arena, beginning with an alumni scrimmage at 12: 10 p. m. Dave Babych, Kirk McLean and the Canucks’ fi rst captain, Orland Kurtenbach ( above), are among those expected to skate in the scrimmage. The skills competition is slated to begin just after 1 p. m. and continue until 2: 30 p. m. Events include fastest skater, hardest shot and assorted puck- carrying relays.