VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 1 (UPI) -- Raffi Torres scored with just 19 seconds left in regulation Wednesday, giving Vancouver a 1-0 victory over Boston in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Finals.
There were 13 penalties called during the first two periods and goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas were tremendous to start the National Hockey League's showcase series. The Canucks, however, finally got to Thomas thanks to a big defensive play from Ryan Kesler just as it appeared Game 1 would head into overtime.
Kesler came up with a steal barely outside the Boston zone and quickly sent the puck cross ice to Jannik Hansen above the right circle. Hansen then fed it past two defenders to Torres, who beat Thomas to the far side.
The goal came on Vancouver's 34th shot and was the third for Torres in this year's playoffs.
Boston has not won the Stanley Cup since 1972. This is the sixth trip to the Stanley Cup finals since then and their record in those series is 5-21.
Vancouver, which produced the NHL's best regular-season record for the first time in franchise history, is looking for its first league title.
Luongo made 36 saves in recording his third playoff shutout this season and the fourth of his career. His three post-season shutouts have come in 19 appearances after he had four in 60 regular-season games.
Vancouver's Alex Burrows was called for four of the game's 13 penalties, two for roughing, another for holding and one more for tripping.
Vancouver will host Game 2 Saturday before the series moves to Boston for games next Monday and Wednesday.
