Luongo still a fan favorite in Vanouver

Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo came within a Game 7 of winning a Stanely Cup with the Vancouver Canucks, only to lose to Tim Thomas and the Bruins in the 2011 Finals.

Yet, judging from the front cover of The Province, a Vancouver-based newspaper, Luongo’s still a fan favorite. The paper ran a huge doctored photo of Mt. Rushmore on page 1 of sports with the headline: Carve a Spot for Lou.

Instead of rock sculptures of former presidents, the faces were of the four most prominent players in Canucks’ history, including Henrik Sedin, Pavel Bure, Trevor Linden and Luongo.

Luongo, 37, recently moved into fifth place on the all-time win list and his 449 victories trails Curtis Joseph by five for a piece of fourth place. He went for 450 Friday night against the Cancuks, a team he notched 252 of those regular-season victories in his eight seasons (2006-14). But it was the one that got away that still drives the 37-year-old goaltender.

“There’s only one thing I want to achieve and I think we all know what that is,” Luongo said after morning state Friday. “The other stuff is great but the bottom line to me is to get back to the playoffs and try to make another run at it. .”

Luongo’s backup on Friday and Monday against the Coyotes is Reto Berra, because James Reimer is back in South Florida awaiting the birth of his child. Coincidentally, both McCann and Gudbranson have a goal and five assists, however, McCann has a plus-6 ice rating in 25 games, while Gudbranson has a minus-14 in 30 games, but is out with a broken wrist.

“I’m very excited to be back, obviously, this is a special time for me; this is where I got my start and I want to thank everybody for giving me a chance,” said McCann.

McCann started the first 17 games of the season but was sent down to the AHL on Nov. 20 before being recalled on Jan. 5.