Canucks go in to Game 7 after up-and-down series
It was easy to believe this really was the Canuck's year when Raffi Torres scored the only goal in the first game of the Stanley Cup finals with only 18.5 seconds remaining in the third period. Alex Burrows pushed it up a notch in the second game on home ice with a winning goal 11 seconds into overtime.The euphoria quickly evaporated as the Bruins easily cruised to an 8-1 victory in Game 3 in Boston. Two days later, fans began to despair as they watched the Bruins shut out the Canucks 4-0.The Canucks sprung back, with a 1-0 victory in Game 5 in Vancouver. But they once again crumbled in Game 6 in Boston, the Bruins sailing to a 5-2 triumph, leaving Canucks fans exhausted but still daring to hope.It's been an unrivalled emotional whirlwind for an unprecedented number of British Columbians. But the fans still dare to believe that the Canucks can capture the Stanley Cup.
Boston Bruins Tim Thomas celebrates during the third period of the NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 6 in Boston on June 13, 2011. The Boston Bruins tied the series at three games apiece with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Boston Bruins Tim Thomas dives, but misses a puck for Vancouver's only goal during the third period of the NHL Final Game 3 between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins in Boston on June 6, 2011. The Bruins won 8-1.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, left, is replaced by Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider after giving up three goals to the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup hockey final at the TD Garden in Boston, Monday, June 13, 2011.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks left wing Raffi Torres celebrates after scoring the winning goal as Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk looks on during the third period of Game 1 in the Stanley Cup final in Vancouver, Wednesday, June 1, 2011.Darry Dyck/The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks fans react at CBC plaza to the first goal in the first period by the Canucks during Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference Final against the San Jose Sharks in Vancouver, Tuesday, May 24, 2011.Rafal Gerszak for The Globe and Mail
Fans of the Vancouver Canucks pose outside the arena prior to Game 2 between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver.Rich Lam/Getty Images
Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas makes a save against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of Game 4 of NHL Stanley Cup Final hockey action at the TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks fans celebrate a third period goal by Maxim Lapierre during Stanley Cup Final Game 5 action against the Boston Bruins in downtown Vancouver, Friday, June 10, 2011. The Canucks won by 1-0.Geoff Howe/The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks fans react to a play as they watch Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff against the Boston Bruins on a big screen in downtown Vancouver, June 13, 2011.Andy Clark/Reuters
Boston Bruins fans from Canada show their support for the Bruins outside the arena before Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks, Monday, June 13, 2011, in Boston.Elise Amendola/AP
Boston Bruins fans taunt Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo after he was pulled during the first period against the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Boston, Monday, June 13, 2011.Charles Krupa/AP
Vancouver Canucks Alex Burrows skates past fans during the warm-up before the first period of the NHL Final Game 3 between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins in Boston on June 6, 2011.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault questions one of the referees during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final series between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks in Boston on June 8, 2011.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Maxim Lapierre of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Boston Bruins during Game 5 of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver.Harry How/Getty Images