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Sunday, Apr. 2 3:00pm ET
Canucks led by Pederson's two goals | |||||
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BOX SCORE
CHICAGO (AP) -- With only a handful of games left, the Vancouver Canucks are working to get all the points they can in their race for the playoffs. Denis Pederson had two goals and an assist Sunday as the Canucks inched closer to a Western Conference playoff spot by holding on for a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ed Jovanovski also scored for Vancouver, which got three assists from recently recalled Josh Holden and two from Brad May. Vancouver, in ninth place with 80 points, has three games remaining. The San Jose Sharks are in the eighth and final position with 81 points and four games left to play. "It was a desperately needed two points today and we played with a lot of desire," Canucks coach Marc Crawford said. "We know we're at a point now where every game is important. We can't look past the next one." Canucks goaltender Felix Potvin stopped 17 shots. He lost a bid for his second shutout this season with 5:54 left when Bryan McCabe beat him with a 30-foot shot. Steve Sullivan made it 3-2 with 1:10 left. The line of Pederson, May and Holden clicked to give the Canucks a 3-0 lead after two periods. Holden, who appeared in four previous games with Vancouver this season, was recalled Syracuse of the AHL Saturday. Pederson scored for the first time since coming to the Canucks in a March 14 trade with New Jersey. His last goal came on Feb. 3. "It was nice to contribute," Pederson said. "I think our line played well and our whole line got rewarded. We just wanted to put the puck on net and drive toward the net, that's how we got our goals tonight." Meanwhile, the Blackhawks blamed their sluggish effort on fatigue They had played at the New York Islanders on Saturday. "(The Canucks) really needed to skate, come out strongly," Chicago star Tony Amonte said. "Flying home late last night, getting home late, it was tough to get things rolling this morning" The Canucks led 2-0 after one period on goals by Pederson and Jovanovski. Pederson, at the edge of the crease, swept a shot under Jocelyn Thibault just 1:56 in. Jovanovski scored at 13:28 when he rushed to the net and tipped in Josh Holden's cross-ice feed. The Canucks extended their lead to 3-0 with 4:16 left in the second when May's centering pass deflected in off Pederson, who was tied up in front of the net. McCabe scored from between the circles with 5:54 left. With Thibault pulled for an extra skater, Sullivan, wide open at the edge of the crease, tapped in Dean McAmmond's feed. | ALSO SEE NHL Scoreboard Vancouver Clubhouse Chicago Clubhouse RECAPS Carolina 1 Philadelphia 0
Vancouver 3
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