www.pgcitizen.ca | Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11 sports

Chelsea impresses with clean sheet The Associated Press and how they’ve been able to score, it’s quite an achievement against a team that plays BARCELONA, Spain — Chelsea did what beautiful football as we saw tonight,” Chelsea very few teams have been able to do, holding manager Guus Hiddink said. Barcelona to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou on Both goalkeepers made key saves, with Vic- Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions tor Valdes getting his hands up quickly to stop League semifinal. Didier Drogba’s following a Barcelona The Spanish leaders were held scoreless for defensive lapse in the 39th minute. the first time since a league defeat on the Drogba jumped on Rafael Marquez’s poor opening weekend of the season. It was the backpass for an attempt from inside the area first shutout on home soil since Manchester but the Chelsea striker couldn’t control the United drew 0-0 at the same stage of the rebound from Valdes, who poked the ball competition last year. away before the danger was cleared. “We’re pleased with the result because “We would have loved to have won, to have when you look at the short history of scored, but I think we played well,” Barcelona Barcelona and how their results have been coach Pep Guardiola said.

Prince George Rod & Gun Club Gun, Knife, Archery & Sporting Goods Show ’ goalie Roberto Luongo takes a break during team practice. CP photo Saturday, May 2 - 9:00-5:00 Sunday May 3 - 9:00-3:00 Prince George DOOR PRIZES Reloaded include 2 Spruce Kings season tickets for the 2009/2010 season. Canucks ready for Exhibition Park Value $358 Kin 1 Arena Blackhawks after break 2187 Ospika Blvd S. The Canadian Press In Nikolai Khabibulin, the Hawks have a goaltender who won a Stanley Cup with the VANCOUVER — The rest and repair Van- . Players like Patrick Prince George, BC couver enjoyed over the last week will prob- Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Kris ably be needed as the Canucks get ready to Versteeg and Cam Barker supply plenty of Admission $5 play the in the second offensive power. round of the NHL playoffs. Coach said the Black- Accompanied Children under 12 free There isn’t much love lost between the hawks can come at an opponent in waves. 00651878 two clubs. The last game the teams played - “Chicago presents a team with so much a 4-0 Vancouver win in Chicago - featured a balance,” said Vigneault. “They have three third-period brawl. lines that can score on a regular basis. “This is another team we don’t really like,” “They have their energy line and they Kevin Bieksa said after the have defencemen that join the rush a lot Saturday Canucks practised at GM Place Tuesday. better than St. Louis did. We are going to ST “They are a hard-working, physical team. It need our four lines. May 2 nd will be a battle. “We’re going to need our forwards to do a 1 Annual “There will be a couple of scrums in this really good job as far as reading the rush, series. It will be entertaining for everyone.” picking up their defence and, when the op- The NHL didn’t officially announce dates portunity is there, to hit their defence in a for the best-of-seven Western Conference legal, physical way.” semifinal. Canuck players said Game 1 will Kesler said the Canucks also can’t contin- be Thursday, with the second game expect- ue to dare fate by taking penalties. Vancou- Boat & ATV Show ed Saturday. ver was called for 29 penalties for 81 min- The Detroit Red Wings play the Anaheim utes against St. Louis. The Canucks were Ducks in the other Western Conference saved by a -killing unit that was 95.8 semifinal. per cent effective. The Canucks also learned Tuesday that The Blackhawks power play is second best has been nominated for the in the playoffs at 29.2 per cent. Frank Selke Trophy (see below), awarded to “We have to be very disciplined,” said the top defensive forward. Kesler. “The first round wasn’t good The Canucks haven’t played a game since enough. a 3-2 victory last Tuesday which “We weren’t nearly as disciplined as we gave them a sweep against the St. Louis should have been and we gave up a lot of Blues in the playoff’s opening round. power plays. We have to nip that in the bud, The Blackhawks advanced by beating the especially against a team like this.” 4-1 Monday night to win Protecting Luongo will also be important. that series in six games It was a hit on the Canuck that Canuck goaltender Roberto Luongo said started the blood boiling the last time the it’s nice to get the waiting and wondering two teams played. The Blackhawks were al- Demo rides on over. so accused of bumping into Calgary - THUNDER JET BOATS the Nechako for “It’s nice to know we finally have an oppo- tender Miikka Kiprusoff. nent,” said Luongo, who leads all playoff Canuck defenceman Shane O’Brien didn’t $ 00 qualified clients* starting at + taxes goalies with a 1.15 goals-against average want to talk about the history between the 27,999 and a .962 save percentage. “It kind of gets clubs. the butterflies going a bit in your stomach.” “I remember a lot about that but I won’t The Canucks are also the last Canadian talk about that,” he said with a smile. “Ac- team remaining in the playoffs. Bieksa tions speak louder than words. I guarantee ALL ARCTIC CAT smiled when asked about Vancouver being one thing. They are not going to be getting Canada’s team. to Lui as easily as maybe they got to Kipru- QUADS AND “Hopefully we’ll get some of the fans back soff.” East to start cheering for us,” he said. Vancouver and Chicago split four games SIDE BY SIDE’S The last Canadian team to win the Stanley this season. Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. The Blackhawks won the first two games ON SALE There are similarities between the Blues 4-2 and 3-1. and Blackhawks. The Canucks won the last two meetings 7- $ 00 Both are teams stocked with young talent. 3 and 4-0. Up to 1,050 in rebates Also “ No Charge” winch program Selke finalists announced ATV’S $ 00 The Canadian Press Kesler, 24, had career highs with 26 goals starting at 3,699 + taxes and 33 assists for 61 points this season. He NEW YORK — Ryan Kesler takes great also led the Canucks in takeaways (74), UP TO 60% OFF ranked first among forwards in short-hand- pride in being one of the Vancouver Try before you buy on Snowmobile and ATV Parts Canucks best defensive players. ed ice time per game (3:19), scored a pair of and Accessories That’s one of the reasons why being short-handed goals, posted a plus-8 rating ATV Demo rides* named a finalist for the NHL’s Frank Selke and won a team-best 54 per cent of his face- * See dealer for details Trophy means so much for the gritty for- offs (527 of 976). Serving Hot Dogs & ward. Coach Alain Vigneault said the six-foot- Enter To Win A Hamburgers on Saturday “It’s exciting,” Kesler said after learning two, 205-pound native of Livonia, Mich., Free Clipper Canoe by donations to the news Tuesday. “It’s an individual award has improved in his five years with the club. PG Snowmobile Club that you win because you are a defensive “The honour is well deserved,” said Vi- player and I always pride myself on that. It’s gneault. definitely something to be proud of.” “He’s had a really good year for us. He

The other finalists for the award, given to works hard and competed hard at both ends 623 Preston Rd. 00658265 the league’s top defensive forward, are of the rink. Given the opportunity to have a Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings and little more of an offensive role he was able 250-563-7727 Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers. to jump on that. www.howiesmarine.com The winner will be announced June 18 at “He does what he has to do for this team Open Tuesday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm Saturday: 8:30am - 5:00pm the NHL’s awards ceremony in Las Vegas. to have success.”