Canucks Skate By Panthers

     The Florida Panthers played their final game prior to the All-Star Game break and were beaten by the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 at BB&T Center on Monday night. Both teams met each other over a week ago on January 8 in Vancouver with the Cats victorious 3-1 in Roberto Luongo's return to British Columbia.
     Vancouver(26-15-3) struck quickly as they scored twice in the first nine minutes of the game. Radim Brbata made it 1-0 at 3:25 with a one-time shot from the right of the crease by Luongo for his 18th goal of the season. Henrik Sedin won the left circle face-off and his brother Daniel Sedin sent a cross-ice pass to Vrbata from the low left circle.
     The Canucks extended their lead to 2-0 at 8:03 of the first period. Bo Horvat took an initial shot from the slot area which was saved and then poked in the rebound when the puck was lying in the blue paint. Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis were credited with assists on the play.
     Florida(20-14-10) had to wait until late in the third period to break the shutout with 2:32 left in regulation time. Dave Bolland won a left circle face-off and dropped the puck back to Brandon Pirri at the top of the left circle. His wrist shot went over the left shoulder of Ryan Miller for the score. It was the first goal given up by Miller in three games. He had back-to-back road shutouts on consecutive days before he entered the game tonight. He surrendered a goal for the first time in 200:45 and his first road goal in 212:52.