Great News! Canucks Almost Won In The ROG!

Bad news... Nucks may never win at home. Ever again.

Here's what we learned: While the ROG is the toughest rink the Nucks have to play in, in this outing against a horrible team, Nucks didn't lose in regulation. Sure, they are on course to set a historic record - already in the top 10 of worst home record in the cap era, at least they're keeping it interesting while playing good enough to almost win.

Period 1

This game started really well. Outshot Seatown. Outplayed them too.

However, when Zeev and Willi got caught defending for over 2 minutes on a late 1st shift. Doesn't end well.

Same old... Nucks were outshooting and outplaying the Kraks... then got hemmed in and Willi and Zeev were gassed on their 2+ minute shifts... and of course... Kane was no help. To us. 1-0 Seatown.

-- jimmi

Kane gassed or just lazy? I think it was the latter. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@taxman77.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 8:11 PM

However, on the Canucks Generosity For Goal-Drought Visitors drive, it was Cale Fleurey's 1st goal in 2,000 days.

1-0 Seatown after 1. Nucks get outshot 19-9.

Period 2

In the 2nd, the period of the ooopsie doopsie. Believe that's the technical term.

Anyhow Nucks PK is working well. Very well. DOC and Sherry get a 2-on-0 shortie chance. And of course, they score... oh wait... they wasted the chance and instead of scoring, gave up a goal... because...

For the #Canucks to get 2-on-NOTHING, not even get a shot on goal, and then the puck winds up in their own net really sums this season up well.

— Lachlan Irvine (@lachinthecrease.com) January 2, 2026 at 8:48 PM

Sherwood, O'Connor, Sherwood's skate, goes the other way, and in. #Canucks

— Ryan avgtraveller (@viewfromtherog.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 8:49 PM

Well this is just getting stupidly bad. Don't make 2 passes on a 2 man breakaway. The guys are just not that skilled. They think they are. But they definitely are not. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@taxman77.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 8:49 PM

You just know Kief was po'd and determined to gain GF redemption. And did. On the PP!

Kiefer Sherwood rules. 17 goals halfway through the season. What a boss. And he could rule for your team for the low, low price of a first-round pick and a top prospect! #Canucks

— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 9:02 PM

Sherwood's worth four first rounders now. #Canucks

— Lachlan Irvine (@lachinthecrease.com) January 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM

Nucks are back within 1 and dominating play. Which is a sign of trouble. Trouble started in the O-zone while the Nucks were pressing. Myers pinches and loses possession. Krakies zip up ice on the always dangerous 3-on-4 as the Nucks can't remember what covering your man is like or who that man might be.

Another Seatown 4th liner scores.

the #canucks experience is guys you've never heard of scoring on you.

— jbearz.bsky.social (@jbearz.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 9:08 PM

Fortunately, the Nucks PP get a late chance. And Brock scores!

Pretty much. Banks the puck off DeBrusk's skate and in. Calling it a drought-buster for both. Kind of.

DeBrusk DeFlection with DeSkate in DeCrease without interfering with DeGoalie. #Canucks

— Ryan avgtraveller (@viewfromtherog.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 9:11 PM

3-2 Kraklings after 2. Nucks did outshoot them 8-6.

Period 3

Finally in the final period, Nucks trailing 3-2, you could feel someone who had shots earlier after signing a new shiny contract who might have heard about the Canucks new contract curse. Doesn't matter.

Karlsson scores!

Wooo! Linus!

-- Twitch

Wooooooo! Contract curse broken!

-- jimmi

WOOO! THERE'S THE SIGNED GUY!

-- Thursday

We're all tied up at 3 in the 3rd and you just know where this is going.

OT

Canucks try to play keep away, but Demmer has to make a couple 5 alarm saves. Yet the Nucks get a 4-on-3 PP. A PP that had been clicking at 1000% or so earlier in the game.

But, you know where this is going... Lanky time!

SHOOTOUT

Here we are again in Lanky time. Without Lanky.

And worse, the same Daccord who lost in the SO in Seatown to the same Ohgren is ready when Liam tries the same move. Daccord makes the stop.

All Demmers has to do is stop the crafty Beniers and we're back to evens. Demmers bites on the deke. Nucks lose at home again. Seatown gets the 4-3 SO win.

Lankinen woulda had that. #Canucks #GoalieControversy

— CrankyCanucksFan 🇨🇦🏒 (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 10:19 PM

It's a ROG loss sure, but it's also a loser point. But not 2 points, so that's like an inverted win. Kinda.

Whelp, the #Canucks got one point after a fun game. That's a good result - happy fans, fun to watch, big comeback, and even the tankers should be happy with that!

— Erin Butler (@eleighbutler.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 10:20 PM

However, the record amount of losing at home can take a toll.

This team just doesn't want to win. Most frustrating team at home there has ever been. In a year where you can suck and make the playoffs and we are sucking the worst. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@taxman77.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 10:20 PM

OBSERVATIONS:

Nucks were entertaining most of the game. Playing a bottom feeding team does help sometimes - despite being in the ROG where losses tend to accumulate on the waste line like holiday indulgences.

Players of Interest:

• Great for DeBrusk to get a goal and 2 points.
• Nucks PP made this game interesting. Brock got a primary assist, but it was a goal in our hearts.
• Jake and Linus are in the double digits for goals. Only 7 behind Sherwood.
• EP40 got a point and a shot. Proving his $7M/year contract was worth it.
• Young guys made some costly mistakes - that's expected. Some vets made mistakes too. And Kane was a waste of 16 minutes - didn't get a shot - was lazy on the backcheck - twice. Finished with a minus -2.

#Canucks take the scenic route to another home loss. *sigh* At least we had a little fun on the trip I guess. (PLEASE don't lose to Boston tomorrow!!!)

— Hard2BGreene (@hard2bgreene.bsky.social) January 2, 2026 at 10:19 PM

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Shortie and Dave in the ROG calling another (expected) loss.

GAME STATS

COMMENTING OUT LOUD

Freshly re-upped Karlsson with the game saving goal.

3 points DeBrusk gets a happy presser.

Footsey rolling with the home losses.

Enjoy the almost win for now. No time for half-high fivers.

Tomorrow the Boourns are in the ROG for the 2nd of the B-2-B. That's only terrifying if you think about it. Just don't think about it. Especially if you're involved with a think tank.