Great News! EP40 didn't have Kane on his line.

Bad news... EP40 didn't have EP40 on his line.

Here's what we learned: Kids! We just need motivated kids, kids!

During the warmup Petey felt he wasn't good to go. Maybe the recognition of his Footey appointed line mate made his nagging injury nag more. The team knew about the injury in the morning, but thought he could suck it up - after all, had a sucky line mate all season.

Losing the Nucks 1C before the game triggered off-centered shivers through the ROG and gasps across NucksNation from the implications of Kampf as the new 1C.

"Injuries shouldn't affect a team!"

Vancouver's top line is Garland-Kampf-Boeser. Second is Kane-Räty-Sherwood.

Hoo.

-- Thursday

The sheer terror of Kampf as our new 1st line center was tempered slightly with his performance in the dot, winning 75% of his draws. R2 2C was even better winning 88% of his draws and unlike Kampf scored 3 goals! 2 of which counted, because the NHL is opposed to hats thrown on Franny ice. Probably for safety reasons. Keep those bookies safe, eh, Gary.

Elias Pettersson can't play today, but Elias Pettersson can. #Canucks

— Pucked in the Head (@puckedinthehead.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 7:54 PM

Anyhow the game started how we expected. Wild scoring 1st just 3 minutes in. But, and not making it up. They wouldn't score again until it was too little, too late.

1-0 Minni after 1. Nucks getting outshot 10-4. Good buddy.

Fans were taking that period well.

That. Was. Excruciating. How can anyone watch this #canucks team and come away thinking anything other than a five kegs of dynamite rebuild?

— Smoke E. Doodle 🇨🇦 (@carsandguitars.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM

In the 2nd, both teams were taking a more conservative approach to putting shots on net.

#canucks tie the game. I still think they should provide pillows for the fans to use to take naps between shots on goal.

— LesnielBC 🇨🇦 (@lesnielbc.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:17 PM

And then the home team tilts the ice board, with a little directed skate action from Ratty. He doesn't kick the puck, merely directs it - a motion the NHL minions of rules have ruled as good goals for years.

Unless a Vancouver player directs it. Then it must be scrutinized and called back. Despite the visiting team not calling for a review.

I would say at least 90% of plays like that have been called goals. This league is pathetic. Be consistent! #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM

minnesota coaches weren't even going to challenge and the fucksticks at the nhl league office stole a goal away from the #canucks for kicking it in. on a goal that has counted hundreds of times over the years. fucking ridiculous.

— jbearz.bsky.social (@jbearz.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM

Doesn't matter. Kids are going to make the sit room buffoons pay for their buffoonery. As well as the hottest goalie in the NHL.

Willander scores a beauty, a laser top corner after a smart setup from Karlsson. Willi's1st NHL goal!

Yesss!!!! WILLANDER SCORES 1st #NHL goal!! to get #Canucks on the board!! 🚨 They can't take THAT one back!! 💙💚💙

— CZ 🇨🇦 💙 🇺🇦 (@choiceznewz.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM

1-1 tie. For a couple minutes.

Raty wins one of his many faceoffs, Willander passes to D-Petey who puts a perfectly placed puck through a crowd and the hottest goalie in the NHL.

Gooooooaaaaallllll!!!!!!! DPT! DPT! #Canucks

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— Ryan avgtraveller (@viewfromtherog.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM

Truth! 😄 #Canucks

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— CrankyCanucksFan 🇨🇦🏒 (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:32 PM

2-1 Nucks. For a few minutes.

Nucks are taking pressure in their own zone. Kane is scuffling with a couple Wild ones along the boards and manages to kick/swat/push the puck out, Ratty skates on to it and goes into the wild zone with a goalie-defying 2-on-1. Looks to pass. But doesn't. Wires a shot high blocker to score his 2nd 1st goal of the game. Wooo!

Canucks are leading 3-1 in the 2nd period. Leading in the ROG! How long has that been?

I know the Canucks are a high shot percentage team, but I sure didn't expect three goals in nine shots!

-- Thursday

The bubble has burst for Wallstedt... .667SV% with 3 goals on 9 shots. 3 goals on FIVE 2nd period shots.

-- ‪Petrishriekandgo on Bluesky

He sure didn't "kick" that one! #CANUCKS #NHL

— Hard2BGreene (@hard2bgreene.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM

#Canucks hockey insiders are reporting between periods that the Minnesota coach has been rendered speechless.

— JDavid (@jdavidh.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM

In the 3rd, the Ratty Hattie is on the books. Or soon will be. As our 2C has great finnish and finishes off the hottest NHL goalie's fumble behind the net, with a simple shot along the ice into the vacated net.

Jesper Wallstedt has been lights out against Canadian teams this year—until tonight. The brain fart on Räty's second goal was positively Luongo-worthy. #Canucks up 4-1 over the #MNWild, but there's still enough time for Vancouver to blow it if they work hard at it.

— Pucked in the Head (@puckedinthehead.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM

Neither team has been great in this game and the big difference has been goaltending. Tolopilo has stepped up in a big way. Meanwhile, Wallstedt has been shaky. If the #Canucks hold on to this win, #60 will be a big reason why.

— Adam Kierszenblat (@adamkblat.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM

4-1 Nucks and the ROG is going wild. The Wild are not.

Minni mounts a comeback late in the 3rd with a lucky penalty to score 6-on-4.

Matters not. Nucks WIN 4-2 in the ROG!

Wooooooooo! It's a Nucks win in the ROG! Enjoy your Xmas gift everyone. That's the quota for the year.

-- jimmi

#Canucks Kierszenstat of the Game: Aatu Räty is the third Finnish player to record three points in a game for the #Canucks before turning 24-years-old. The other two are Petri Skriko and Markus Granlund.

— Adam Kierszenblat (@adamkblat.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:24 PM

Tonight's Three Stars ⭐️: A. Raty ⭐️⭐️: N. Tolopilo ⭐️⭐️⭐️: T. Willander #MINvsVAN #Canucks #MNWild

— Canucks Game Bot (@canucksgamebot.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM

OBSERVATIONS:

• All hail the Calder Kids! Where would we be without them? 32nd place, probably
• All the goal from the Kids!
• The win cost our place in the basement. Had to takedown our Dale Tallon poster and sweep up the Cam Neely memorabilia. Left the stinky mattress in the basement by the furnace for the Preds.

How was Quinn? Other than Elliotte Smugman blabbing about Jersey talking to JR? Other than that... still not finding his scoring groove.

0pts
14SOG
-2
…in his last 5 games.
😬

Anyone who says confidence isn't a massive factor is lying, QH43 has lost his, not feeling it on the ice at all.

-- ‪Petrishriekandgo on Bluesky

Get a win, lose our special spot in NHL hell, but who cares?

For one game… yes. Only one game. Oh, but it’s so good. #Canucks #damnit

— CrankyCanucksFan 🇨🇦🏒 (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM

If liking your play in a loss is a moral victory, is liking your play in a win a moral loss?

— Erin Butler (@eleighbutler.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM

We're happy for a moment. A win! At home! Unexpected? Yes.

This reminds me of the "Sisu" movies. When all hope is lost and everybody else gives up on you, some people are capable of feats that are outside of the realm of what's possible

-- Atty

Appropriate! Aaty Sisu.

-- Thursday

#Canucks

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— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 10:43 PM

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Shortie and Dave in the ROG calling a home win!

GAME STATS

COMMENTING OUT LOUD

Willander gets his 1st NHL goal and a presser.

Ratty, our new 2C with 3 goals and a presser.

Quinn gets the trade-spec questions that we're sure he enjoys so much.

Footey happy to be happy for a change.

The no longer last place Canucks can celebrate their rise up the standings. For now.

On Monday, the ROG Home For The Holidays series continues with some Wings for in-game snacks. At least we hope so.