The Vancouver Canucks are well aware that the six wins they have accumulated in the pre-season do not count in the overall standings. But creating a winning atmosphere in the dressing room and re-gaining their confidence has proven to be un-measurable for a team that has lacked identity over the last couple of years.
On Thursday, the Canucks saw their new Big Line combine for all three goals, with Steve Bernier, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin each putting the puck past Evgeni Nabokov en route to a 3-2 win over the visiting Sharks. It was San Jose's fourth loss in six outings.
The six-foot-two, 225-pound Bernier wasn't shy to throw his weight around to create some space for the Twins, allowing Daniel Sedin to record two assists and brother Henrik one.
"It's not about his size," Henrik Sedin said of Bernier. "It's about the way he sees the ice and the way he seems to make plays. That's how you create room. It's not about hitting guys. I think it's about him finding the spot to create chances."
Bernier now has three points - two goals and an assist - in just three games. He is starting to feel more comfortable playing with the talented twins after initially struggling to adjust to their signature cycling style.
"My job is, go get the puck in the corner, give it to one of the two brothers, go to the front of the net and screen the goalie," said Bernier. "All of the goals I scored in the past have never been very pretty."
Newly-crowned captain Roberto Luongo was relegated to the role of back-up after making 31 saves the previous night in the Canucks' 6-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Curtis Sanford went the distance against the Sharks who out-shot the Canucks 12-3 in the first period. San Jose Rookie Riley Armstrong scored the game's first goal with 2:35 left in the opening frame while Joe Pavelski tallied with 4:01 to play in the second.
Daniel Sedin snapped the 2-2 tie just 39 seconds into the third by beating Nabokov with a wrist shot on the power play. Vancouver's power play was 2-for-6 while the Sharks went 0-for-7.
San Jose pressed for the equalizer late in the game. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to Alex Burrows gave the Sharks a power play for most of the final two minutes, but Sanford was unbeatable as the Canucks were outshot 13-4 in the third, and 33-20 overall.
The Canucks will look to finish their exhibition season with a perfect 7-0-0 record when they host the Ducks Sunday at G.M. Place.
With a report from The Canadian Press
