2011 Stanley Cup playoffs: (1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jose Sharks
Kesler with 13.2 seconds left, Bieksa in double overtime: Vancouver returns to the Final.
In the 2011 Western Conference Finals the Vancouver Canucks beat the San Jose Sharks in five games to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1994. In Game 5 Ryan Kesler forced overtime with 13.2 seconds left in the third period, and Kevin Bieksa scored the series winner 10:18 into the second overtime on an unexpected rebound.
Quick Facts
- Series
- 2011 Western Conference Finals
- Result
- Vancouver Canucks won 4–1
Facts from the source article.
Background
It was the first playoff series between the teams; Vancouver had won three of four regular-season meetings, the loss coming in a shootout. Both clubs had taken 3–0 leads in the earlier rounds, seen the opponent force a seventh game, and won it. San Jose, facing elimination in Game 5, held a 2–1 lead late until Kesler's goal after a controversial icing call. Vancouver's previous conference final win had come on May 24, 1994, 17 years to the day earlier, also in double overtime.
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