Canucks stop Avs in OT, clinch division title
Henrik Sedin scored 40 seconds into overtime on Saturday at the Pepsi Center to give the Vancouver Canucks a 1-0 victory over the Avalanche and the Northwest Division title.
Sedin was credited with the goal after banking a shot off the left skate of Avs defenseman Scott Hannan and into the net.
The win gave the Canucks their second division title in three seasons and clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Canucks, who concluded regular-season play, take a three-game winning streak into the postseason.
The loss spoiled a big day for Avs right wing Ian Laperriere, who played in his 1,000th career NHL game.
“It’s special. I don’t know what to say. My dream was to play one game in the NHL and now 1,000,” said Laperriere, 35, whose future is uncertain because he does not have a contract for 2009-10. Before joining the Avs in 2005, he played for the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings
“I’m a lucky man” added Laperriere, who played 18 minutes, 20 seconds in his milestone game. He made his NHL debut — it was his only game that season — in 1993-94 with the Blues.
Not so lucky was Colorado goalie Peter Budaj, who had another strong outing and stopped 33 shots in regulation. Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 22 shots in regulation.
The Avs conclude their season Sunday, when they play host to St. Louis (3 p.m.). Fans attending the game will be awarded prizes throughout. Afterward, Avs players will remove their jerseys, autograph them and then give them to randomly selected fans. Captain Joe Sakic will be the last player to give away his jersey.
