WIllie Mitchell is my HERO !!

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2006/2007
Quarter Finals
Game 4

Series 3-1 Canucks

Canucks 2
Stars 1

I don't even know where to begin with this one. I had to work, so I was pretty disappointed about that. Once again, CBC was kind enough to stream this game online so I was able to see most of it.

Which team would show up for this game? I had my answer right from the get go tonight. It was the team that worked hard for 60 minutes. First period was pretty straightforward for a Dallas Canucks Game, except for the two man advantage the Canucks had to kill for 1 minute and 54 seconds. And, kill it they did !!!

The second period was more of the same.

Through out the first two periods - There were a few players who jumped out at me.

*Jan Bulis - where was this guy all season?
*Jannick Hansen - he continues to impress with his speed, his skating and his smart plays with the puck
*Willie Mitchell - he's having a great series so far, strong on the puck, good hitting. He levelled Nagy. Although that was more a result of how nagy hit the boards than anything else. But, I"ll take it.

* Luongo - what can i say about Luongo, that hasn't already been said

The third period - tied 0-0. Who would make the first mistake? As it turns out it was Dallas. Smolinski shot wide, drawing Turco out of position, and he couldn't scramble back in time to recover for Ohlund recovering the puck from the end boards and slapping it home. 1-0 Canucks. The Stars wouldn't go away so easy though. Three minutes later, on a halfhearted attempt by Naslund to clear the puck, the Stars solved Luongo. 1-1 game, with about 8 minutes to go in the 3rd. Was this game destined for Overtime? 2 minutes later, we had our answer. Trevor Linden scored a vintage goal to put the Canucks up on top. with about 6 minutes left to go. Would they be able to hang on for the win?

If Luongo and Willie Mitchell have anything to say about it - you better believe they'll hang on for the win! The Stars started coming, and coming and coming. Luongo couldn't be beat. WIth about 2 minutes left, the Stars pulled Turco. 6 on 5 time slipping away on the Stars. They shot, it beat Luongo ......... It didn't beat Mitchell though. Using his long reach, or his long stick, I"m not sure what it was, he pulled that puck off the goal line.

clipped from www.cbc.ca

While Luongo will get most of the credit for Vancouver's win, it was Mitchell who prevented Dallas from getting the equalizer with less than three minutes remaining.

Stars centre Mike Ribeiro wired a shot that trickled through the legs of Luongo, but Mitchell instinctively cleared the puck away before it could completely slide past the goal-line.

Officials reviewed the play but maintained the puck did not cross the line.

"I would have gone nuts if it was called a goal," Mitchell said.

Added Linden: "Willie came to the bench and said it wasn't in. You always ask the guy who made the play. He's not going to lie to you."

Disaster averted. Canucks clear, aim for the empty net, miss. Time slipping away - going, going, going, GONE.

Canucks have won it ! They have won game 4. They take a 3-1 series lead, and a chance to win the series at home on THURSDAY.

Go Canucks Go !!!