In Must-Win Game 5, Canucks Strike Early And Often, Down Blackhawks, 4-1

There’s a lot of gruesome injuries out there you wouldn’t wish on anyone. Torn ACLs, ruptured spleens, etc. But I’m pretty sure most of us would deal with any of those if it meant that we’d never have to hear someone tell us we’ve ruptured our testicles. Such is apparently the fate of Sami Salo, who left Sunday night’s Canucks’ win in the first period after taking a slapshot to the groin.

And just so you understand the world we live in these days, Salo’s “solo” already has its own Facebook page. A Twitter handle and discussions with LeBron’s elbow can’t be far behind.

Vancouver beat Chicago Sunday night 4-1 but they did it without defenseman Sami Salo, who left the game in the first period after taking a slapshot to the groin.

Salo has been taken to Northwestern Hospital for observation.

Kevin Bieksa paced the offense with a pair of goals and an assist, while Roberto Luongo made 29 saves, as the Vancouver Canucks staved off elimination with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Christian Ehrhoff and Alexandre Burrows also lit the lamp for the Canucks, who had dropped three straight after winning the opener of this best-of-seven set. The Canucks will have to win the next two games if they want to advance, starting with Game 6 back home on Tuesday.