You want a 2 game win streak? This is how is you do it.

Some might have said... could have been me, that the Nucks in the ROG are streak breakers.

Tonight, the ROG Nucks kept the Canes looooozer streak in the west extended to 4 games.

Uncharacteristically, the Nucks started strong in the 1st. Put the Canes on the PK - twice.

Petey draws penalties like Myers takes them

Myers 11 penalties taken
Petey 12 penalties drawn

Westy

Of course, the Nucks PP scores. No goals. Doesn't matter. The Nucks PK didn't allow any goals against. Even when 3-on-5. So, that's good.

Even better, Laff drives through the center - like a power forward - as Taco calls him. Pete puts a shot on net and Laff gets the first laugh of the game. 1-0 Nucks after 1 and controlling the winds of Carolina.

In the 2nd, the Nucks keep pressing and Pete picks up his 2nd point of the night with a great feed to Miki out front. 2-0 Nucks and going away.

Until... uncharacteristically this season - gave up a juicy 2-on-1. And Ronnie didn't do much in his 1 position to break up the pass and the Canes are on the board.

No worries. 5 minutes later, Miller leaps off the bench skates hard into Brock's pass and blasts the puck past/through uncle Ratty.

2 goal lead restored. No worries.

Until... the going got tougher... not once, but twice, Huggie - not one of his better nights - jumped over the boards too soon and Gnarly, not once, but twice had to serve the too much man penalty. On the 2nd PP the Canes get their 1st PP goal in 16 chances. So, maybe that's the streak the Nucks deemed possible to break.

This game is a massive test of Taco Tough hockey

82wino

Gets tougher in the 3rd. Canes come out hard and pressing. Tie it up just a couple minutes in.

That's not right. That's what Pete thought too. Barely a minute later, Super Pete, out muscles Awho behind the net and scores on the wraparound - scored so fast, we might have missed it. Or I did. Always time your beverage sips between plays.

Pete scores the GWG! Not making it up. Records 3 points for the 29th time in his Nucks career.

The Canes keep pressing. Nucks bend a little, but keep the Canes off the board for the final 16 minutes. Impressive. A nerve-warping, nail-gnawing, wine-slurping tense 16 minutes. Minutes where we never doubted the Nucks would win.

Whew, I almost ran out of wine in this one, huge win!
Back on 2nd place and we are streaking!

Atty

DETAILS

3 Point Pete is back. He was a monster all game. Whatever made up ailment we made up, he seems to recovered just fine.

Two Too Many Men penalties in a single game.

TMM penalties should happen once a month...not twice a game (and counting)

That goal stung like a red bull ant bite

82wino

Nucks have a wonderful and ridiculous record when leading after 2 periods. 15 oh and oh my... that's ridiculous.

ROG WINNING REEL

It's Shortie Night in Canada. With Dave in the co-driving to the slot slot.

GAME STATS

SHOT COUNT

PLAYER SCORING STATS

TACO TALK

"Fast hockey. Everybody playing the same way. We’re still striving for that. Tonight was chipping away at that.”

Taco praising Laffer - hoping he will stick on the top line. Nice. Mentions Kuz without mentioning Kuz and his 10 minute 4th line performance. But Kuz did finish with a +0, so that's a plus.

A huge win for the Tough Taco Team strategy and execution. With a few glitches. But still... a win against an eastern powerhouse is exactly what Westy ordered last summer.

Can the Nucks keep their western win streak in the country? We'll find out on Tuesday in the ROG as the Nucks get ready for their revenge game against the former covid cup champs - who are still a tough team, despite losing many players to the salary cap ferries.

Starting to feel like we might - just might - be getting a Tough Taco team for Xmas. Wouldn't that be the best gift in years and years?