Flames win overtime thriller to put away Canucks
18.05.06 23:57MST
Oduya sends Canucks to off-season
The Calgary Flames beat the Vancouver Canucks in a thrilling Game 7 overtime and will face the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Final for the second straight season.
Johnny Oduya (pictured) was the hero as he scored the game winner. "It was a very emotional series. They are such a good team. I feel we laid it all on the line to win the game and the series." Noted the young defenseman, who in just his second full season has developed into one of Calgary's better rearguards.
The series was a tough grind as the final 3 games went to overtime. "I felt like each team took their turn with the momentum." Said Coach and GM Dave Fyvie. "You just didn't really know when it would swing.. and then it would and you're out of luck. Both teams played their hearts out."
Vancouver's special teams reigned supreme in the series versus the Flames' anaemic powerplay. The Canucks powerplay scored when they needed the big goal, and in overtime in game 6 managed to kill off a 2 minute 5 on 3.
For the Flames, scoring depth and 5v5 team play carried them to the slim victory. J-S Giguere also dug deep and performed heroics in the final two games of the series as he faced a heavy workload.
The Flames now look ahead to the dangerous Detroit Red Wings as they look to exact revenge on the very same team that eliminated them in the third round last season.
"We'll be ready." Said Captain Jarome Iginla, who shares the team lead in points with 13 with Brad Richards and Pavel Demitra.