Canucks 5 Flames 6 (SO)

Game Recaps: canucks.com . ESPN
Statistics: Score Sheet . Stat Sheet

• Nice touch to introduce Team Canada's World Juniors team prior to the game. Standing ovation from the fans was even nicer.
• I'll take some time to post more about this next week, but while most has suggested that the Canucks upgrade their goaltender, what they should be looking at is upgrading their defense. During this homestand, the team has been plagued with sloppy turnovers and mental mistakes in their own zone. Not including the shootout, they have allowed 20 goals in four games.
• If I'm not mistaken, I didn't notice Kevin Bieksa and Steve McCarthy on the ice late in the game.
• With the loss, the Canucks are now a less than stellar 5-9-4 against the Northwest Division. But if there's a positive during this four-game losing streak, it's that the Canucks have at least managed to record three points. They are only one point back of Edmonton with a game in hand.
• I know that both teams scored five goals each but it's hard to fault the goaltenders. Most of the goals were off deflections, screens and odd-man chances. When the game was on the line in the third period and overtime, Mikka Kiprusoff and Alex Auld both made some great saves.
• Todd Bertuzzi continued his great play. Big Bert had two assists and again, was a force with the puck. He's creating room for his linemates and allowing them to generate scoring opportunities. Tonight, Naslund scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season and Morrison added four assists.
• Sedin, Sedin and Carter combined for a goal and two assists to extend their point streak to ten games.
• After going 0-for-6 against the Oilers last Saturday night, the powerplay has come alive with nine goals in 27 chances over the last three games.
• I loved Ryan Kesler's and Matt Cooke's play tonight. They were all over the ice, finished their checks and got under the skin of some of the Flames; officially, they combined for seven hits.
• Bryan Marchment is a jackass. Hitting Cookie into the boards from behind while Cookie was sliding vulnerably on the ice was dirty.
• Why can't Nazzy score in the shootout?