(Tuesday, February 20th)

Final Score: Vancouver 3, Anaheim 2 (OT)

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Daniel Sedin scored 2:19 into overtime, as the Vancouver Canucks won their fifth straight game with a 3-2 decision over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center.

Kevin Bieksa and Markus Naslund also scored for Vancouver, which now holds a three-point lead atop the Northwest Division over Minnesota. Dany Sabourin was very strong and allowed just two goals on 40 shots for the Canucks, who will stay in town and continue their four-game road trip against the Kings on Thursday.

"It was a good character win for us," said Naslund. "We struggled against them in the first two games this season, and we wanted to play a strong game. It was a good win."

Tim Brent and Chris Kunitz scored for the Pacific Division-leading Ducks, who have earned a point in each of their last four games (2-0-2). Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 28 saves in the losing effort.

With the score tied 2-2 in overtime, a questionable hooking penalty was called on Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer and the Canucks used the extra skater to win it. The visitors gained the blue line and set up in the offensive zone before a blazing slap shot from the point by Sami Salo sailed five feet over the net. However, the puck deflected sharply off the rear glass and caromed directly onto the stick of Sedin, who batted the bouncing puck into the cage from the right post.

"Sometimes the bounces don't go your way, but I think we battled pretty hard tonight," said Giguere. "You have to look at the positive side - we got one point."

With the win, Vancouver halted a five-game skid against the Ducks.

Brent's first career goal gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead at the 6:51 mark of the opening period. Anaheim cycled the puck to maintain control in its offensive zone before a stuffer attempt at the left post by Dustin Penner. Sabourin made the save, but the puck sat along the goal line and Brent punched it home.

Although he gave the Ducks the lead, Brent's holding penalty in the second period led to a 1-1 tie. Vancouver skated 5-on-4 and Sedin carried the puck over the blue line along the right side. Sedin stopped high along the half- wall, spun around and passed into the high slot for Bieska, whose wrist shot bounced off Giguere and trickled over the goal line at 7:05.

Late in the second period, a cross-checking penalty called on Brendan Morrison allowed the Ducks to skate with the man advantage and they cashed in with 6.2 seconds to play. A centering pass by Kunitz from the left side deflected off the stick of Vancouver blueliner Willie Mitchell and caromed into the net. Kunitz was given credit for the goal, his 21st of the season.

Naslund's 20th goal 4:06 into the third knotted the contest.

Game Notes

The Canucks are now 16-12-2 on the road this season...The Ducks dominated in the faceoff circle, 33-22 (60 percent)...Sabourin made 16 saves in the second period...The visitors ended 2-for-4 on the power play, while Anaheim was 1- for-4 with the extra skater...Attendance was 17,467.

02/21 01:31:08 ET