NUCKS GET THEIR FIRST SECOND HOME WIN!
It's about time. After the previous game that we will never mention again, Nucks had to play the full sixty and get Lanky back to winning. And did!
With Brock still out for ??? games, Lekkerimäki is called up from Abbey for his 1st NHL game.
Nucks being the hosts with the mostest welcoming 1st periods, permitted some odd man rushes and gave up 5 high danger chances. Only 1 HD chance the rest of the way. Although game-stat-accountants credited the hosts with 32 freshly-served turnovers. Yikes! No need to feed an entire visiting NHL team.
Of course, being the generous hosts, allow the Flames the 1st goal of the game. At the 19th minute of the period. Dammit. On an uncharacteristic Huggie no-clear clear near the net. Dammit.
Fuuuuu.... Flames 4the line score against the flow of the game.
Twitch
1-0 Cowtown after 1.
Petey high sticked...nucks will start the second on the PP. Canucks kinda stopped skating in the last couple minutes, hence the flames goal.
Twitch
In the 2nd the Nucks PP goes to work. Quick work. No, really.
Within 23 seconds Pete got his birthday goal after a slap pass setup from Miller. Pete looked like EP as he darted out of the corner, drove the net and drove the puck past Vladdarr.
WOOOO PETEY! Happy birthday kid!
Twitch
Tie game. For a couple minutes. JT puts a pass into the high danger zone and Suter puts the danger into the net. Play was setup by Brännström.
Late in the 2nd, Desharnais scored - only his 2nd NHL goal! However, a moment before he scored, Heinie took a slashing penalty and despite what would be the feel good story of the year, refs disallow the goal. NHL hockey is a cruel game.
Nucks lead 2-1 after 2.
The Cowtown comebackers lead the league in coming back and winning in OT, so the Nucks needed to make sure no OT could happen. Again, guess which team beat the Nucks in the ROG on opening night... Yeah, the Cowbunkers.
Sure the visitors ignite a little pressure, but when they did, Nucks defense and Lanky made sure to smother the chances and made a number of clean breakouts. The perfect number. As the Nucks mounted their own pressure.
Pete and DeBrusk create some passing chaos, while Sherwood screens and Bränny scores his 1st Canucks goal!
Cowplunkers empty their net, but get few chances and the Nucks content themselves with a contest to see how many icings could be achieved in under 2 minutes.
Nucks win 3-1!
WOOOOOOOOOOO!
OBSERVATIONS
Great bounce back game. Despite having to play yet another 1st period in the ROG.
Lekkerimäki looked good in his 1st NHL game. Had a couple shots on the PP and played well in his own end. Now that he's got the 1st game jitters out of the way, expect he'll be shooting and scoring very soon.
Nucks PP... got another goal. Not just any goal. Pete's Hockey Bday gift to NucksNation. Pete's most engaged game? Pretty much. Got an assist on the Brännström goal and made some key defensive plays.
Nucks PK didn't allow a single goal. Some dangerous chances, but no goals against.
Lanky was outstanding, as we expected. .966SV% is a great bounce back.
Anything else? Yes!
Solid win!
Video Replay
Shortie and Dave getting their winning home game on.
GAME STATS
PLAYER POINTS
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
JT talking about his new winger and the PP.
Lekkerimäki gives his 1st NHL presser. Pretty good pressing.
Brännström gets a goal and a presser.
Lanky is smiling. And talking.
Taco Talks about bouncing back and seeing some good habits returning/forming.
Nucks get the sweet 2nd home win of the season! About time.
Playing better and playing an entire game gives the Nucks the chance to make their home games worth watching. About time.
Nucks have won 1 straight home game. Would be good to make it 2 straight home wins... because 1 game home winning streaks are so last month. Our ol' Bo returns on Thursday to hopefully get no points, nor a win in his old digs.
