Kiefer Sherwood helped make NHL history on Tuesday night, scoring a game-winning goal with 1:16 left in overtime as the Vancouver Canucks staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Dallas Stars 6-5. The Canucks became the first NHL team to score three times in the final minute of regulation, all while playing 6-on-5, to complete the stunning rally.
Sherwood, who recently set an NHL record for the most hits in a season, capitalized on a pass from Conor Garland behind the Dallas net. He received the puck in the low slot and fired it past goalie Casey DeSmith to seal the victory. “Says a lot about the group,” Sherwood said after the game. “‘Gar’ just made an absolute crazy play. Kind of felt like slow motion, got his head up and put it on my tape.”
The Canucks had trailed 3-0 after the second period and were down 5-2 as the final minute of regulation began. Their incredible comeback kept them alive in the playoff race, a year after winning their division. “That’s got to be one up there,” said Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet. “I loved the fight, obviously, in the third period. To do that is a character win for a lot of guys, for the team.”
Jake DeBrusk and Victor Mancini scored power-play goals early in the third period to bring the Canucks within one. Dallas responded with goals from Mavrik Bourque and Mikael Granlund, giving the Stars a 5-2 lead with just over two minutes remaining. However, Vancouver didn’t give up. Aatu Raty scored the first of three 6-on-5 goals with exactly 1 minute left in regulation. Pius Suter added another goal with 30 seconds remaining, and Suter scored again with just 5.2 seconds left to tie the game.
In overtime, Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen was penalized for slashing 46 seconds into the extra period. Despite killing the penalty, Dallas and Vancouver played 4-on-4 until Sherwood ended the game with his overtime goal.
With the loss, the Stars missed an opportunity to secure at least second place in the Central Division. They remain four points behind first-place Winnipeg, who they face on Thursday. Stars coach Pete DeBoer said, “I don’t think I’ve ever lost one in that fashion before,” while veteran captain Jamie Benn, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, called the loss “unacceptable,” adding, “That game should have been wrapped up.”
