Roberto Luongo got the better of his former teammate for the second time this season, as the Vancouver Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Luongo was especially solid in the third period, bailing his team out with 17 third period saves while his team only mustered 7 shots in the period. Luongo made 28 saves on the night to Schneider’s 19 saves.
Luongo also got the better of Schneider in the shootout, as Schneider surrendered the only goal to Mike Santorelli.
Many Canucks fans preferred having Schneider in net over Luongo when it came to the shootout, but Luongo actually has a better shootout record than his former counterpart. Luongo has a .748 save percentage in the shootouts whereas Schneider’s is only .500
Schneider wasn’t happy after losing another game to his former team, especially since both losses occured after the third period. The Devils coughed up a lead in both games against the Canucks this season.
“I made two mistakes and they both end up in the back of the net, its unacceptable on my part,” said Schneider.
On the first goal, Schneider gave the puck away to Henrik Sedin, who set up Kesler for the goal. On the second goal Daniel Sedin took a slap shot from the end boards, and it beat Schneider down low. Canucks fans didn’t see Schneider let in many goals like Daniel’s during his time here.
These teams won’t play each other until next year, barring a miracle New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks final, which seems about as likely as That 80’s Show making a comeback.
Is this the end of the Luongo and Schneider saga?
Hopefully this is the end once and for all. Both individuals dealt with enough scrutiny while they were playing in Vancouver, and both of them had to deal with management that mishandled their situations by keeping them in the dark. To surprise both goalies with the trade of Schneider, was undoubtedly unprofessional by the Canucks management.
It should all be in the past now. Both goalies are the undisputed number ones for the franchises, since Schneider has stolen the number one job away from Martin Brodeur.
Only a month into the season, Schneider has already overtaken Brodeur as the number one goalie in New Jersey. He will likely be the number one goalie for the Devils for many years to come.
With no one looking over Luongo’s shoulder, he has flourished in one of his best October’s since becoming a Canuck.
Image: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
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