Sports

Surprise! Luongo steps in for sick Schneider, stops 40 as Canucks beat Flames 4-1

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo makes a save during against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Larry MacDougal) (The Associated Press)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo makes a save against Calgary Flames' Tim Jackman during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Larry MacDougal) (The Associated Press)

Roberto Luongo, in a surprise start, made 40 saves and Maxim Lapierre scored the go-ahead goal as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Andrew Ebbett centered a pass that Lapierre swatted behind Miikka Kiprusoff from the top of the crease, breaking a 1-1 tie with 9:23 left in regulation.

Up until that goal, most of the play in the third period was in Vancouver's end, where Luongo was sharp, turning aside dangerous chance after chance.

Calgary outshot the Canucks 41-29, including 18-9 in the final 20 minutes.

Alex Burrows, Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin also scored for Vancouver, winner of nine of its last 12. The Canucks, who began a five-game road trip, opened a six-point lead atop the Northwest Division over Minnesota.

Curtis Glencross with his team-leading 15th had the lone goal for Calgary, which has lost six of its last seven.