2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Quarter-finals

In the unlikely event Team Canada's Olympic team executive director wasn't watching Roberto Luongo Tuesday night, here's a quick memo:

Forget those other guys. We know and love Martin Brodeur for all he's done, he's a beauty. Ditto Marty Turco and Steve Mason is no slug himself.

But Luongo gets the job if he's ever remotely close to the zone he was in as the Vancouver Canucks pushed aside the St. Louis Blues in four straight games. His performance here was remarkable despite some dehydration problems that began in the second period and lasted until he needed an IV in his arm after the game so he could drag his body to the post-game media scrum.

"I had some dehydration problems," he said. "It started in the second period when I had my leg out and some guy pitchforked it and they (the cramps) started when I tried to resist. But we got through it and it was a big win for us. It was nice to get the sweep but we want to do more so now we can use the rest and get ready for the next series."

Luongo stopped 47 of 49 shots and he was the best penalty killer in helping to hold the Blues to one goal on 24 power play opportunities in the series.

BURROWS THE MAGNIFICENT

The Canucks sudden superstar isn't magnificent for the goal, although his teammates gladly accepted his heroics here. He stood up in the dressing room before the overtime started and exhorted his teammates saying 'this is the time when legends are made."

Then he went out and made himself one, snapping a shot through Mason with just 19 seconds remaining in the first OT period.

BLUES DON"T QUIT

Despite being down 2-0 and three games in the series, the Blues showed remarkable tenacity on the evening the moment they got a breath of life from Brad Boyes opening goal to narrow the gap to one goal.

From that moment at 13:30 of the second period, St. Louis had Vancouver under total siege, with the Canucks finding it almost impossible to get out of their zone and get the long change until another goal had been scored and the period expired.

"You've really got to give them credit - that was the best push any team has put against us all year," said Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault. "I'm sure we had a little bit to do with it, but they were great and they played us hard. You have to take your hat off to them."

J.D's GOOD YEAR

St. Louis Blues GM John Davidson came into the Vancouver dressing room after the game to congratulate the Vancouver coaches and GM Mike Gillis, along with Vancouver owners Francesco Aquilini and his brother Roberto, who were in from Vancouver for the game.

It was a good show of class from the former star broadcaster given it was the Canucks who made David Backes a free agent offer before the season began, an offer for over $2 million US the Blues were forced to match.
"It didn't really seem like a four-game sweep to us but what can you do," said Davidson as he left.

SALO, SEDIN EXPECT TO BE READY

Both Mats Sundin and Sami Salo missed Game 4 of the series but expect to be ready for the beginning of the next Vancouver series which could be as long as 10 days away if at least one of the Western series goes seven games.

"I have a lower body injury and I'm day-to-day," said Salo with a smile, chortling at the euphemisms being used these days. "I probably could have played [if there was a game] Friday and I'll be ready for the next one."

Sundin skated hard in the pre-game practice and then took treatment and was likely held out because the Canucks had a big lead in the series. He also should be ready to begin the second round.

BLUE POST-SEASON

St. Louis has now lost 11 of its last 12 playoff games but the season has to be considered a success given the way rose from last place in the conference in February and stormed all the way up to sixth overall before bowing out to the Canucks.