The Vancouver Canucks have a spot in the Western Conference playoffs already wrapped up, but the Colorado Avalanche are not as lucky. To make the postseason, the Avalanche need every point possible before the regular season ends, and through a period tonight at Rogers Arena, the Canucks lead Colorado 1-0 with two periods left.
With three minutes remaining in the period, Chris Higgins scored a shorthanded goal to get Vancouver on the board. Higgins' 16th goal of the season was set up by teammate Samuel Pahlsson.
Each team had three penalties in the first period. Colorado's Mark Olver and David Booth of the Canucks each drew five minute majors for fighting.
Colorado out-shot Vancouver 13-8 in the period. The Canucks won the faceoff battle 13-7. The Canucks also finished with more hits in the opening frame, 11-9.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct.
