Music: {allcanada} Miller's shutout helps Canucks defeat Flyers

Thursday, January 15, 2015

{allcanada} Miller's shutout helps Canucks defeat Flyers

PHILADELPHIA -- The Vancouver Canucks broke out offensively with a 4-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.

Henrik Sedin had a goal and an assist, and Nick Bonino, Jannik Hansen and Radim Vrbata scored goals to help Vancouver end a three-game losing streak, during which they had scored a total of two goals.

Ryan Miller, in his first game back after missing three because of the flu, stopped all 29 shots he faced for his fourth shutout of the season.

The Flyers are 2-6-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. It's also the second straight game the Flyers have been shut out; they lost 1-0 at the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. It's the first time they have been shut out in consecutive games since April 1-3, 2014.

Philadelphia goaltender Ray Emery allowed three goals on 12 shots and was removed 1:21 into the second period. Rob Zepp relieved him and allowed one goal on 10 shots.

The Canucks (24-15-3) took control of the game with two goals in 22 seconds early in the second period. Vrbata started the run with a power-play goal 1:21 into the period. Henrik Sedin sent a pass through the Philadelphia zone to Vrbata, who was set up in the left circle. He fired a shot that beat Emery over his right shoulder, blocker side, and under the crossbar. The puck bounced off the back bar and came back out so quickly a replay review was needed to uphold the goal.

After Vrbata's goal, Emery was replaced by Rob Zepp in net. It was the second straight time Emery had been removed from a start; on Jan. 3 against the New Jersey Devils he was pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots in the first period.

Emery has lost four straight games; since starting the season 4-0-1, he is 3-8-0 with a 3.75 goals-against average and .864 save percentage in 12 games.

Zepp provided some relief, but allowed a goal to Hansen on the first shot he saw. Wayne Simmonds turned the puck over at the Vancouver blue line and Alexander Edler sent a pass the other way that split Philadelphia defensemen Luke Schenn and Carlo Colaiacovo and allowed Hansen to skate in alone on goal. His wrist shot from the hashmarks beat Zepp and gave the Canucks a 4-0 lead 1:43 into the second.

It was Hansen's first goal in seven games, and second in 20 games since he had a hat trick Nov. 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Flyers (17-21-7) had chances to get back into the game, outshooting the Canucks 12-3 in the third period, but they couldn't beat Miller. They went 0-for-4 on the power play and managed four shots with the man-advantage.

Philadelphia's best opportunity came with 13:35 left in the second period when Luke Schenn had an open chance in the slot but Miller robbed him with a spectacular glove save.

It was Miller's second shutout in 32 regular-season games against the Flyers. It was also his first regular-season win in Philadelphia since March 5, 2011. In Miller's previous 11 combined regular season and playoff games in Philadelphia, he was 3-7-0 with a 3.42 GAA and .899 save percentage.

Vancouver needed 14:21 of the first period to match its goal total from the previous three games when Henrik Sedin's power-play goal gave it a 2-0 lead. Daniel Sedin took a shot from above the right circle that Henrik Sedin redirected over Emery's right shoulder.

The Canucks opened the scoring on Bonino's goal 6:35 into the game. Bonino took a pass from Shawn Matthias in the Vancouver end and skated through the middle of the ice. As he got into the Flyers zone he turned his back on Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto to protect the puck, then spun off Del Zotto, found open space in the left circle and took a shot past Emery.

It was Bonino's 10th goal, but his second in 12 games and third in 28.