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Canucks rip Senators in return home

Sat 13th, March 2010

Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Mikael Samuelsson scored twice, as the Vancouver Canucks returned home to GM Place with a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

The Canucks were forced to play 14 straight games on the road, spanning six weeks, because of the Olympics. It was the longest sequence of road games by a team in NHL history.

Alexandre Burrows, Daniel Sedin and Sami Salo also scored for the Canucks, who have won three of their last four games. Canadian gold medal-winning goaltender Roberto Luongo pushed aside 13 shots.

"We came out and had a great first period, and I think we played one of our best games of the year tonight," Luongo said. "I think we were just excited to get back. It's been such a long time since we've played here."

Jason Spezza tallied the lone score for the Senators, who have dropped five of six. Goaltender Pascal Leclaire racked up 30 saves.

The Canucks started the scoring off on the power play at 17:46 in the first period. Salo passed the puck from the right point over to the left to Pavol Demitra, who found Samuelsson for the wrister and the goal.

Ottawa tied the game at the three minute mark of the second. Spezza carried the puck the length the ice, splitting defenders and eventually putting the puck through Luongo's legs.

Vancouver re-took the lead at 2-1 on a Burrows breakaway. Burrows stole the puck in the defensive zone and carried it in on Leclaire, beating the netminder above the right shoulder for his 31st of the season at 9:12 of the second period.

The Canucks struck again 2:18 later when the streaking Samuelsson scored his second of the night and 30th of the year on a perfect pass from Daniel Sedin through the middle of the zone for the backhanded score.

Vancouver extended its edge to 4-1 at the 16:07 mark, as Henrik Sedin found the puck behind the net and threw it in front to Daniel Sedin for the easy put in.

Salo put the game out of reach at 5-1 with just under nine minutes remaining, taking a pass in the slot from Alexander Edler on the right boards and lifting it over a screened Leclaire.

Game Notes

Salo and Samuelsson each added an assist...Ottawa never managed more than eight shots in a period...Vancouver next plays at home on Sunday against Calgary...Ottawa next plays on Tuesday at home against Toronto.