Sports

Higgins gets goal, assist to help Canucks snap 9-game losing streak vs. Sharks with 4-2 win

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa, left, and Brad Richardson celebrate after Bieksa scored against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, right, defends against San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

Chris Higgins had a goal and an assist and Roberto Luongo made 22 saves to help the Vancouver Canucks snap a nine-game losing streak to the San Jose Sharks with a 4-2 victory on Thursday night.

Brad Richardson, Mike Santorelli and Zack Kassian also scored for the Canucks, who had lost all five regular season meetings between the teams the past two seasons and were swept by San Jose in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

Joe Thornton and Mike Brown scored for the Sharks, who lost their fourth straight game, but just the second in regulation all season.

Antti Niemi allowed four goals on 12 shots before being replaced early in the second period as the Canucks controlled the play for much of the first 40 minutes and weathered a strong push from San Jose in the third.