Ahem, if we forget... the Oilers.
As the Canucks navigate a packed November schedule, one game stands out as their biggest challenge: the matchup against the Boston Bruins on November 27th. This storied rivalry, fueled by the bitter memories of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, always brings extra emotion. Here’s why facing the Bruins will be Vancouver’s toughest test for the remainder of the month.
1. The Bruins' Elite Defensive Structure
Boston’s reputation as a defensive powerhouse hasn’t waned over the years, even if they're having early struggles this season. With Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm anchoring the blue line, the Bruins have allowed opponents 3.25 goals per game this season, 23rd in the league. Boston will have a chip on their shoulder and for a Canucks team that has been finding success through quick transitions and high-danger scoring chances, cracking the Boston defence will require both creativity and flawless execution.
2. Physicality and Depth
Boston’s roster depth and physical play have always been defining traits, and this season is no different. Veterans like Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak lead the charge offensively, while younger players like Trent Frederic will contribute to a gritty forecheck that will wear the Canucks down. Hughes and Hronek, will have their hands full containing both Pastrnak and Marchand.
X-Factor: Boston’s fourth line has been chipping in with timely goals, and their ability to roll four effective lines will test Vancouver’s defensive endurance, especially in the latter stages of the game.
3. Playing the Bruins on Their Turf
The TD Garden is a fortress. While the Bruins' home record this season might not be all that impressive, the electric atmosphere in Boston still makes for one of the most intimidating road environments in the league.
Home Record Stat: Boston is 5-3-1 at home this season.
Conclusion: A Battle for Growth
The November 27th game against Boston will test the Canucks’ mettle like no other this month (I hope). To pull off an upset, Vancouver will need top performances from Petey and Miller, relentless back-checking and a standout night from the goaltender. Whether they can rise to the challenge will reveal a lot about their potential as a playoff contender this season. So, Canucks fans, circle the date on the calendar and get ready for what promises to be an electrifying, battle-hardened clash in Beantown.
EXTRA HORROR NIGHT IN THE ROG!
THE NUCKS NEED A NEW HOME RINK! Maybe in SoCal?
So far, the team that had one of the best home records in the league last year, have only ONE win in SIX ROGAFLOGGINGS.
It's the Worst home loss in nearly 10 Days!!!
If you had to watch this Nucking Puckastrophe you might have had flashbacks to the epic collapses of 2022. Or last month.
Home cooking too fatty and sedative-filled?
These highly trained young athletes looked tired as the game wore on. There was a little pushback in the 2nd when the Nucks got within a goal. Even after getting stantion'd.
Fuuuuck...stanchion with an assist, 2-0 edmonton....
Twitch
But, the not-as-tired-as-they will be Nucks come back from 3-nothing.
First, Pete who was full on compete, tipped a DeBrusk shot.
WOOOO PETEY!!!
Twitch
A minute and a bit after some brilliant work by Teddy, Ronnie scores his 1st goal of the season.
That whole sequence was awesome, and Blueger deserves a lot of the credit for the goal.
Twitch
Going into the 3rd, Oil were leading 3-2. Exiting the 3rd, Oil were leading 7-3. No 4th period, despite Nucks getting the goal - which would have been the tying goal in the 2nd - because the tired young and old Nucks.
Despite making so many game saving saves, Lanky lost focus and the will to stop pucks or something as he allowed a number of bad goals.
Well, we've wasted one of our games in hand... that one is on lanky unfortunately. You can't have urgency for 10 minutes in a 60 minute game and expect to win.
Twitch
The Nucks were gassed and stayed in their own end for most of the 3rd, while Lanky was hoping to get pulled after the 7th goal. Fortunately Taco took him out and put Arty in who posted a micro-shutout.
Nucks got a moral-boosting-victory PP goal in the last minute of the game to deflate the blowout just a little. Canucks lose 7-3 - lose for the 5th time at home this season.
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!
Embarrassing loss. 2nd most embarrassing loss since the last one.
Nucks haven't played this poorly since October. That 3 game win streak in SoCal seems so last week.
OBSERVATIONS
I'm trying to find a dull dusty silver lining to yet another stinker in the ROG... fortunately... I didn't have to look.
The good news is Petey had a good game. Lankinen was a brick wall...until he wasn't, that is. Reminded me of Lu when he realized the team wasn't gonna win it, and just said "fuck it, they're not trying hard in front of me, so why should i pull a groin for them?"
Twitch
Who did the least damage in the game?
Lanky was good. For 2 periods.
Pete played well, engaged and even better, making chances in the O-zone. Got a goal and an assist on the PP. 2-point Pete played solid in his own end as well.
Petey saves a goal on the PK! Makes McDavid look stupid in the process. And angels sang.
Twitchy
Capt'n Huggie continued his point streak. So that's good.
Millsie was a no show in the game. Looked tired or hurt. Or both. Taco's top 6 line blender probably didn't help.
Anything else? Yes!
JUST FLUSH IT LIKE IT STINKS!
Video Replay
Shortie and Daddy DeBrusk on the HNIC crew for this embarrassment in the ROG.
GAME STATS
PLAYER POINTS (not nearly enough goals!)
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Capt'n Huggie talks about helping your goalie.
Petey gets goal and makes some presser plays...
Lanky gets exposed in the 3rd and is rewarded with media exposure.
Vet Soups speaks to the game-in, game-out thing.
Taco Talks about Miss Cue and her high scoring fillies.
Flush this game. Down the full bowl of Nucking shame. Another one for the stinky record books.
At least this home stand is over. Oh wait... it's just starting... Oh MY GOSH! We're screwed!
We might wonder what the over/under is when the Nucks get their 2nd home win of the season.
Have 5 more chances in the this extended ROG run. Surely, they can get 1 more win, maybe 2?
As far as road trips go, you can't ask for more than what we saw from the Canucks. They've been road beasts so far this season, but can they make this success translate at home as they take on the Oilers for the first time since their post-season clash?
Vancouver Canucks (7-2-3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (6-7-1)
7:00 pm PST; 10:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet, CBC, CITY
Radio: Sportsnet 650
There was a lot to like about the play of the Canucks on that three game California trip. Quinn Hughes is, inexplicably, even better than he was last season. Kevin Lankinen has been phenomenal, giving the Canucks a chance to win every night. Jake DeBrusk snapped out of that funk to start the season in a big way. And the Canucks have been getting solid efforts every night up and down the lineup.
Now, it wouldn't be the Vancouver Canucks if there wasn't a dark cloud attached to it, and that darkness comes in the form of the injury to Brock Boeser. No real timeframe yet for his return, and hopefully it's not long term. At least the NHL did something about it, as Tanner Jeannot received a three game suspension for the gutless headshot on Boeser Thursday night in LA. Still kind of lenient, but better than what we expected.
And tonight is a big game, not just because it's a divisional rival, but because this is a statement game that the Canucks can use as a building block for the rest of the season. A chance to show the Oilers that they don't match up against a healthy Canucks team, even with the world's two best forwards on their side.
Both teams struggled out of the gate, but the main difference has been the Canucks are managing to salvage points pretty much every night, while the Oilers regulation losses have continued to mount. It won't be an easy game, but with the confidence gained after the California sweep, and a chance to stick it to these dirty rotten bastards, they should come out fired up and ready to blow the roof off Rogers Arena tonight.
LINEUPS
Oilers projected lineup
Jeff Skinner -- Connor McDavid -- Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin -- Leon Draisaitl -- Viktor Arvidsson
Adam Henrique -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Connor Brown
Mattias Janmark -- Derek Ryan -- Corey Perry
Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse -- Troy Stecher
Brett Kulak -- Ty Emberson
Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard
Scratched: Travis Dermott
Injured: None
Canucks projected lineup
Pius Suter -- J.T. Miller -- Conor Garland
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Pettersson -- Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Aman -- Aatu Raty -- Arshdeep Bains
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais
Kevin Lankinen
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Noah Juulsen
Injured: Brock Boeser (upper body), Derek Forbort (lower body), Thatcher Demko (lower body), Dakota Joshua (testicular cancer recovery)
Okay, lots to unpack here. With Boeser out, Conor Garland moves to the top line. Ashdeep Bains and Nils Aman have been recalled from Abbotsford to replace Boeser and Daniel Sprong, who was traded to Seattle for future considerations.
GAME DAY CHATTER
Comments from the coach... and Jake DeBrusk... Plus updates on Boeser and Lekkerimaki from GM Patrik Allvin.. Desharnais is looking forward to the next visit from the Kings, apparently...
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Exodus dropped an unexpected AC/DC cover the other day, and like their other covers of the legendary Aussie band, they do a fine job paying tribute. And I like that it's a deep cut and not something obvious, but especially with Steve 'Zetro' Sousa's vocal style, it works so well with the older AC/DC material.
NUCKS GET THEIR FIRST 3 GAME SWEEP IN SOCAL!
It's the 6th straight Nucking road win this season. Only the 4th time in Nucking history.
I've said it before... Quinn is the best player on the Nucks. The best D in Nucking history. And one of the best D of the NHL all time. And scores the GWG against a former nemesis.
Not all high fives around the room tho as Bess took an illegal hit to head in the 1st and didn't return. We're waiting to hear on his status.
Of course, despite Atty being in the rink and buying super-sized beer, the Nucks started flat and gave up the 1st goal of the game.
And worse Bess gets beaned by a cheap headshot from Jeannot and is out of the game. Ugh.
Nucks get a 5 minute PP... that didn't look too good... until...
1-1 after 1.
In the 2nd the Nucks take over the game. Pretty much. As they get the only goal of the period.
Again. For the 3rd straight game, DeBrusk scores. After deking Darcy out of his skates from a slick Huggie pass out front.
Then the Nucks get into penalty trouble as Ronnie took 2 straight in the period. No worries as the Nucks PK kept the puck out of the net. Best PK player was Lanky.
Nucks lead 2-1 after 2.
The Kings, as expected, push back in the 3rd. But the Nucks push back better early as Capt'n Huggie breaks an unfortunate forward's ankle and put a perfect shot on net while JT screened Kemper.
3-2 Nucks. Then the Kings get clever put 4 forwards and 1 D on the ice and get a goal. But no more.
Kings emptied their net, put 5 forwards and 1 D on the ice and JT gets a 200 foot EN Goal! Apparently Taco had the team practicing long distance empty net attempts. If they didn't score, player had skate the rink. Seems JT didn't want to skate more.
Nucks win 4-2!
3 Straight WINS in SOCAL! 1st Road GAME Sweep in all the games the Nucks played against the Cali Hockey Mob.
WOOOOOOOOOOO!
OBSERVATIONS
Nucks PP... got another goal. Took almost all of their 5 minute penalty, but Gnarly got Kuemper to use his aggressive big stick in the best possible way.
Even better, the Nucks PK didn't allow a single goal. Some dangerous chances, but no goals against.
Nucks minimized the odd man rushes against. And Lanky was outstanding again.
With Bess out of the game, the lines were in a blender, but played like a solid unit across all mixed-up lines. All the forwards were collapsing to the net when required, making LA look like a one-and-done team. We know what that feels like.
Myers looked really good all night. Making some smart plays under pressure. Soup looked good as well.
Pete watch: Didn't get a goal. Or a point. But played a strong defensive game. Matched up well against Kopi, so that's worth at least $5M.
Anything else? Yes!
Solid win!
Video Replay
Shortie and Dave getting their road game on in the cryptic arena.
GAME STATS
PLAYER POINTS
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
DeBrusk getting on a heater and the presser.
JT gives Taco's EN practice no credit.
Taco Talks about winning the Cali sweepstakes.
Nucks get the sweet SoCal road sweep. For the first time ever!
A tougher, more physical game than the last one, but Nucks over-toughed the heavy team and out-played and more importantly, out scored the Kings.
Nucks have won 6 straight road games. Be nice if they could win 6 straight home wins. And starting Saturday get a chance with their 6 game homestand. With or without Brock? That'll be the question to answer with with, hopefully soon.
The Canucks end their western road with a chance to win out as they face the Kings in LA.
A 5-1 win against Anaheim is a satisfying result, but as Tyler Myers mentioned a few games ago, this team is not hitting on all cylinders. There were a lot of chances given up by the Nucks and thank god Lankinen continues to shine for this team and keep them in games until the offence decides to show up.
I thought Petey played a pretty good game, especially defensively and he did have 6 shots on net. Unfortunately, for his line to really be dangerous, he is going to have a teammate that can convert more of his passes into goals or Petey will have to get hot and start scoring. The line has had some good chances, but until Petey finds his inner sniper, the greasy goals will have to do. PowerPlay Petey is playing the wrong side....we all know it.
Tonight's game is a good measuring stick since the Devils game. The Kings are a puck control team and have they have skill and speed, so the Nucks need to find a way to get through the neutral zone and get some shots.
Lineups
If only the 4th line could score......
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Pius Suter -- Elias Pettersson -- Conor Garland
Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Hoglander -- Aatu Raty -- Daniel Sprong
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais
Kevin Lankinen
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Noah Juulsen
Injured: Derek Forbort (lower body), Thatcher Demko (lower body), Dakota Joshua (testicular cancer recovery)
Kings projected lineup
Kevin Fiala -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Akil Thomas -- Phillip Danault -- Trevor Moore
Warren Foegele -- Quinton Byfield -- Alex Laferriere
Andre Lee -- Trevor Lewis -- Tanner Jeannot
Mikey Anderson -- Jordan Spence
Joel Edmundson -- Brandt Clarke
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Kyle Burroughs
Darcy Kuemper
David Rittich
Scratched: Andreas Englund, Caleb Jones
Injured: Alex Turcotte (upper body), Drew Doughty (ankle), Arthur Kaliyev (clavicle)
Status report
Forbort, a defenseman, is week to week. … Demko was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, but there is no update on when the goalie could make his season debut. … Turcotte, a forward, is day to day after leaving in the second period of a 3-0 win at the Nashville Predators on Monday; Kings coach Jim Hiller said Turcotte’s injury is not a head injury or related to any previous concussions. … Kaliyev, a forward, has started individual on-ice workouts but will have a lengthy ramp-up process after being injured at the start of training camp. … Fiala will remain on the first line with Kopitar and Kempe after being moved up in a 5-1 win at the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Game Day Chatter
Thatcher Demko taking part in some drills at practice today in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/JWmP85w4DF
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 6, 2024
“[Sherwood's] been a bright spot with our team because he just adds to that juice…It’s contagious.”
🗣 Head Coach Rick Tocchet speaks on what Kiefer Sherwood brings to the team, more on last night's game, and provides some injury updates. pic.twitter.com/aTFURGaHkJ
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 6, 2024
“As a whole, we’re taking some really good steps…Got to keep the foot on the gas and make sure that we keep improving throughout the whole season.”
🗣 Hear from Kevin Lankinen following Wednesday's practice in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/O1flCLEAd1
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 6, 2024
“Playing a simple game and playing consistent hockey.”
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 7, 2024
🗣 Hear from Jake DeBrusk following morning skate in Los Angeles.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/4Wo7mqwQ1U
“I always love division games…You want to get to your game a lot quicker and it’s a big test for us.”
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 7, 2024
🗣 Head Coach Rick Tocchet meets with the media ahead of tonight's matchup against the Kings.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/LvORci5o3U
Game Day Battle Hymn
Big shout out to the wife, who is recovering from surgery, she chose today's song from random and yet it suits the mental psyche of Canucks Nation and its relationship with Petey. A rough patch the start of the year has been, but he is our Swedish Alien.
Go Canucks Go!
HUGGIE IS THE 3RD FASTEST D TO 300 ASSISTS - IN HISTORY!
It's official. After some scorekeeper theatrics in the 3rd, Hughes is in the lofty range of Orr and that D guy from the 90s. WOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Quinn is the best player on the Nucks. The best D in Nucking history. And one of the best D of the NHL all time. Wow!
Anyhow... besides the silly Murican election with the stability of the free world on the line, there's also a globally important hockey game to recap.
R2 is centering the 4th line and takes the 1st penalty of the game. And Duckies get the 1st goal of the game. And not to spoil it too much, their only goal of the game.
Doesn't matter.
Because the Nucks PP get... brace yourself... Nucks PP score! From a beauty slap pass from Huggie to Bess and in.
Just 52 seconds later, Heinen, while getting checked, clears the puck to Kiefer who breaks out with Branny (Brannstrom) who sets up Kiefer for the sweet GWG!
2-1 Nucks after 1. And they ain't done.
In the 2nd, Nucks get on the board with a Huggie goal from the blueline. But, then they credit Pete with the goal with a sneaky tip. But then...
3-1 Nucks after 2.
Nucks keep coming in the 3rd. Instead of caving into despair and moaning like the NM gamethread.
DeBrusk tips a Brock shot with Huggie getting his 300th assist. Or 299th, because NHL scorekeepers are still trolling us, so we don't know which it is... these election point results are close.
4-1 Nucks, thanks to DeBrusk's 2nd goal of the season. Drought is over? Yes, please.
Then while the Ducks are trying to get into the game, Blueger, Heinen and Kief put it away with some goal mouth puckery.
Nucks win going away 5-1. Good effort, great result. And even better NHL scorespeakers returned the apple to Quinn and goal to Pete. Capt'n Huggie: Mr. 300.
Wooooooooo!
OBSERVATIONS
Nucks PP... got a goal. Went 1 for 4. So, that's a start. Unfortunately the Nucks PK gave up a goal, so it was evens on the special odd man teams.
After starting slowly and getting a goal down, the Nucks took over the game. Played more solid defensively than we've seen so far. Nucks reduced the odd man rushes against. Were better at protecting 'the guts' as Taco Talks about.
The 3rd line is looking like last season's best 3rd line in the league. Heinen and Kief each got a goal and an assist. Blueger picked up an apple too.
Pete watch: Got a goal! Yay! 2nd of the season. It's a start. He's still seems a tad unsure, but was more engaged all game than we've seen recently.
Anything else? Yes!
Solid win!
Video Replay
Shortie and Dave enduring the disney duckery...
GAME STATS
PLAYER POINTS (Sweet 300 Quinn)
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Räty gets the call up. To the mic.
The 300. Huggie talks about the game and achieving records.
Taco Talks about Quinn winning the 300 and praises others too!
Nucks get another SoCal road win. Sure, not against a really good team. Blame the NHL schedulers.
Doesn't matter. Nucks outplayed, outshot, out-chanced and out-scored the Ducks. As we would expect for a top team in the division. Can they carry a consistent engaged effort in their next stop on the Cali tour on Thursday against a stronger team? If the Nucks can win the special team battles, while playing stingy defense, dominate the 5-on-5 play and outscore them, then pretty sure the answer is yes.
After dodging a bullet with a last minute goal from Pius Suter, the Canucks look to get a win streak going as they head to Orange County and a date with the Anaheim Ducks.
Vancouver Canucks (5-2-3) vs. Anaheim Ducks (4-5-2)
7:00 pm PST; 10:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
While it was far from a classic, there were encouraging signs in amongst the scattered and disorganized effort we saw against the Sharks on Saturday night.
The big news was Jake DeBrusk getting his first goal as a Canuck. And while it was a little anxiety inducing for Canucks fans to see him struggle out of the gate, you should remember he did the exact same thing in Boston last season, and after a few more games, was pretty consistent the rest of the way. Patience, my friends.
We also got another solid outing from Kevin Lankinen. If he continues to provide the Canucks with a chance to win every night, they're gonna be fine when Thatcher Demko returns. This is the one-two goalie punch the Canucks need, and while you feel for Arturs Silovs, you have to roll with who's hot, especially in this situation.
And who had Pius Suter being one of the biggest free agency signings by the Canucks management team last season? While it was a solid pickup on the surface, his consistent two way play and work ethic is inspiring, and helping to ease the burden on the top 6 until they can get rolling. This is literally what depth is supposed to do for you, and the Canucks should definitely reward Suter with a new deal this summer.
They're up against an Anaheim Ducks squad that has some good young talent, but is still in a kind of rebuild/retool mode. Back in the days of Getzlaf, Selanne and Perry, the Ducks were always a tough draw, but the modern day Ducks have lost 5 straight to the Canucks, and 8 of the last 10 meetings. And even with the lack of experience in goal for the Canucks, Lankinen and Silovs are a combined 3-0-0 lifetime against Anaheim.
LINEUPS
Scribbled on a napkin from Space Mountain is where we found today's lineups, and certainly not at nhl dot com...
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Pius Suter -- Elias Pettersson -- Conor Garland
Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Hoglander -- Aatu Raty -- Daniel Sprong
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais
Kevin Lankinen
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Derek Forbort, Noah Juulsen
Injured: Thatcher Demko (lower body), Dakota Joshua (testicular cancer recovery)
Ducks projected lineup
Robby Fabbri -- Leo Carlsson -- Ryan Strome
Frank Vatrano -- Mason McTavish -- Troy Terry
Cutter Gauthier -- Trevor Zegras -- Alex Killorn
Brock McGinn -- Isac Lundestrom -- Brett Leason
Cam Fowler -- Olen Zellweger
Pavel Mintyukov -- Brian Dumoulin
Urho Vaakanainen -- Radko Gudas
Lukas Dostal
James Reimer
Scratched: Ross Johnston, Jackson LaCombe
Injured: John Gibson (appendectomy)
GAME DAY CHATTER
The Canucks call up Raty, send down Bains.. Comments from the Coach... and Conor Garland... He won't play tonight, but we might see Dakota Joshua on Thursday in LA... 33 years ago today, the Canucks were forever changed as we saw the Russian Rocket blast off for the first time.. Demko gets closer...
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Colorado based thrashers HAVOK dropped a new EP entitled 'New Eyes' the other day, and it's got an absolutely killer cover of METALLICA's 'Eye Of The Beholder' that you should check out. Man, this track sounds amazing with bass in it (#JusticeForJason). IYKYK.
Enjoy the game, folks. Go Canucks Go!
On the ice, the Canucks have delivered some thrilling (and other not so thrilling) moments, but let’s be honest—nothing gets the blood pumping quite like a good brawl. Here’s a look at the top three brawls in Canucks history (in my humble opinion) that had fans on their feet.
1. 1994 Stanley Cup Final: Canucks vs. Rangers
First up, we have the legendary showdown in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers. The stakes were sky-high, and after Trevor Linden took a nasty hit, chaos erupted. Gino Odjick led the charge as fists started flying. It was an all-out melee that electrified the crowd and showcased the grit of the Canucks during this historic playoff run. Even though they ultimately fell short in the series, this brawl became part of our legacy.
2. 2011 Stanley Cup Final: Boston Brawl (aka. The Real Boston Tea Party)
Fast forward to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins, where another epic brawl unfolded. Tensions were running high throughout the series, but Game 3 really brought out all the pent-up drama. The rivalry between these two teams boiled over, making this brawl one of the most memorable moments in Canucks history.
3. 2013 Canucks vs. Flames: A Classic Rivalry Brawl
Finally, let’s talk about the 2013 brawl against the Calgary Flames, a classic rivalry moment. After a hard hit on Chris Tanev, the scene turned chaotic. This fight perfectly captured the fierce animosity between the Canucks and Flames,. It was a prime example of how heated these matchups can get.
Brawls may not be the only reason we love hockey, but they sure add a special flavor to the game. So, next time you’re watching a game, keep an eye out—not just for the goals, but for those moments when the fists start flying. After all, hockey is as much about passion as it is about skill!
THIS IS WHY WE LOVE LIKE ROAD HOCKEY
The Nucks needed a convincing win to recover from the rubout in the ROG. This wasn't it. But it was a win. A nail-biter, but still... a win.
Sharkies aren't last year's bottom feeders. Nope. They've won a few more games and only are last in the league because of a single integer in the points column.
Still... the Nucks didn't splash into the tank with 3 early goals in the 1st. In fact, no goals were scored in the period. Also... Nucks had 11 giveaways in the 1st, so we were happy to have Lanky back in net.
In the 2nd, the Sharlets, not the Nucklets get the opening goal.
Doesn't matter because our own Suter the Shooter ties it up on a wicked shooter's shot from a deft tip pass from Hogz. 1-1 after 2.
And then in the 3rd as both teams realize there's not an infinite time to play for the tie. Guess who gets the tiebreaker and temporary GWG?
Yup, same guy who broke his 10 game goaless streak on this date, last year.
It's 2-1 Nucks in the bottom of the 9th 3rd. Can they keep the lead and make it feel good DeBrusk family story?
Of course not. As the Sharkies circle 6-on-5 with a couple minutes to go.
If I told you it was a Granlund who got the tying goal, would you believe it? Ok... what if I told you Myers blew his coverage on Granlund and Lanky was caught short side as the puck whizzed by on the other?
Yup. It's all tied and the gamethread are calculating the loser point feel good status points.
However, those sad calcs weren't required, because... and I'm not making this up. Nucks storm right back down the ice. And score in the last 30 seconds of reg time! No, really. Again, it's Suter the Shooter from a great no look pass from Gnarls in the corner.
Nucks hang on another 30 seconds to win! Overpowering the Sharks by a single powerful goal.
Wooooooooo!
OBSERVATIONS
Nucks PP... now at 0 for 12 in the past few games. 2 shots on goal in 4 mins of odd-man time. However, Nucks PP didn't give up a goal against, so that's something. And the Nucks PK played perfectly perfect keeping the Bobble Sharks at bay.
Not enough rush chances. SJ generated more rush chances... the 32nd team in the league. However, the Nucks had more O-zone time than the last place team.
It felt like a game that could have gone either way. Funny thing about those 1 goal wins. But if not for Lanky stopping a breakaway and other rush chances... well... you know the way out of San Jose could have been sadder.
Pete watch: No goals or apples. Only one egregious failed reverse hit and 1 shot on goal. And was on the ice for the winning goal.
Meanwhile, JT was noticeable for Mifling on the PP. Didn't take over the game as we had hoped. That's ok, because DeBrusk and Suter won the day.
Anything else? Yes!
What a relief.
Video Replay
Shortie and Dave enduring the hardships of SoCal tank life...
GAME STATS
PLAYER POINTS (no so many)
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Sharp-shooting the presser.
DeBrusk happy to have the monkey off his back - and the media on it.
Taco Talks Tough about being a good effort. And still... too many odd man rushes. Gotta even that up.
Nucks get a SoCal road win. Even if it was a little too close for our comfort. At least the Nucks remembered how to forecheck and kept the Sharkies hemmed in on consecutive shifts. And overall, played with intensity and focused for most of the game. Can they carry a consistent engaged effort in their next stop on the Cali tour on Tuesday? Good question.
10 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, CITY, SN, CBC
Any guess as to what Canucks team will show up tonight? I don't think Quinn will be answering any calls from his brothers for awhile. You would think that the cure for playing shitty would be to face a bad San Jose team that they beat 10-1 last year....but then you remember that the Canucks sometimes have a tendency to play to the level of their competition and then lose the game, like they did 3 weeks later against the Sharks.
I was talking to someone today (Hi Mom), who said Petey was acting like a whiny bitch because he doesn't get to play with Miller and Boeser. I am not sure I agree, but Frank Seravalli says that he sees a Petey that looks disinterested. Well fuck. I wonder if Frank will ask that question Petey, "Hey Petey, it looks like you don't like skating...or shooting....especially not scoring. What can the team do to get you going? A raise, perhaps?"
There is some complaining about Bains playing with Petey, instead of Hoggy, but Petey doesn't seem to play well with anyone over the past two games. I was praising Petey three games ago and now I just hope for consistency.
LINEUPS
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Arshdeep Bains -- Elias Pettersson -- Conor Garland
Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Hoglander -- Pius Suter -- Daniel Sprong
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Noah Juulsen
Kevin Lankinen
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Derek Forbort, Vincent Desharnais
Injured: Thatcher Demko (lower body), Dakota Joshua (testicular cancer recovery)
Sharks projected lineup
William Eklund -- Mikael Granlund -- Tyler Toffoli
Ethan Cardwell -- Alexander Wennberg -- Fabian Zetterlund
Barclay Goodrow -- Will Smith -- Luke Kunin
Carl Grundstrom -- Nico Sturm -- Danil Gushchin
Jake Walman -- Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro -- Jan Rutta
Henry Thrun -- Timothy Liljegren
Mackenzie Blackwood
Vitek Vanecek
Scratched: Klim Kostin, Givani Smith, Jack Thompson
Injured: Lucas Carlsson (undisclosed), Logan Couture (groin), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (upper body), Macklin Celebrini (lower body), Ty Dellandrea (upper body)
Status report
The Canucks placed forward Nils Aman on waivers Saturday for the purpose of reassigning him to Abbotsford of the American Hockey League. ... Joshua, a forward, participated in Vancouver's morning skate Saturday but his not expected to play and has yet to make his season debut. ... Liljegren will make his Sharks debut after being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
GAMEDAY CHATTER
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Nils Åman has been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Abbotsford (AHL).
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 2, 2024
He might be gone by time this game starts.....or not.
“You got to make sure you’re hard to play against…This league, you got to bounce back.”
🗣 Head Coach Rick Tocchet speaks to the media following Saturday's morning skate in San Jose.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/Vz3ZRrXlEF
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 2, 2024
“Focused on our game and what we need to do to get back to the way we can play.”
🗣 Hear from Carson Soucy ahead of tonight's game against the Sharks.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/h3Y1IjFYqy
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 2, 2024
GAMEDAY BATTLE HYMN
Our man Kent continues on his treatment schedule for cancer and has put in his request for some light listening music. I guess he meant light for him, as I went to listen to it, it rattled my brain. Exodus is from the Bay Area and obviously weren't into Tupac. Their song "The Fires of Division" got me thinking about the noisy groups on Twitter that are pro-Petey and anti-Petey. I really hope he can get going in November and calm these flames.
Go Canucks Go!