NHL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Vancouver Takes 2-0 Advantage

Pavel Bure’s goal early in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night at Vancouver.

The Canucks hold a two-games-to-none lead in their Smythe Division semifinal series.

Geoff Courtnall had a goal and an assist for the Canucks.

Teppo Numminen’s power-play goal 30 seconds into the third period tied it at 2-2, but Bure shook off a check in front of the Winnipeg net and slid a backhander past Bob Essensa for the game-winner.

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Detroit 6, Toronto 2--As the score mounted, so did the Maple Leafs’ frustration. In the end, it got ugly. Very ugly.

The Red Wings, who have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Norris Division series, had a 4-0 lead with 2:20 left at Detroit in the second period and the game deteriorated sharply after that.

Referee Rob Shick called 40 penalties for a total of 128 minutes. Each team had 30 shots on goal, but Toronto rookie Felix Potvin became so frustrated in the Maple Leaf goal that he took two baseball-type swings at Dino Ciccarelli with 3:03 left in the game.

“That was certainly the most vicious game I’ve ever seen,” Detroit Coach Bryan Murray said. “That was like old-time college hockey where there was no regard for the other person.”

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St. Louis 2, Chicago 0--Curtis Joseph stopped 47 shots and shut out the Blackhawks at Chicago.

The victory gives the Blues a chance to win the Norris Division semifinal series without returning to Chicago.

The Blues hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and could win it with victories at home Friday and Sunday.

Joseph faced 2,202 shots in the regular season, more than any goaltender since the NHL began keeping that statistic in 1982-83.

“Tonight I had a few lucky breaks. The guys played real well in front of me and the penalty-killing was superb,” Joseph said.