You want to break a home losing streak that goes back to 2016. This is how you do it.
Nucks haven't beat the T-BAGS in the ROG since 2016. That's almost a decade ago. Or 4 coaches ago. Or something.
But tonight... tonight, as predicted last recap, the Nucks extracted their revenge. With Tough Taco Tough style and Bessie's big hattie.
Of course, it didn't start out looking like a sure Nucking win. Because it's the 1st minute(ish) in the 1st in the ROG, Nucks are caught puck gazing and Bolt McPoint scores.
However, 5 minutes later, Hoagie draws a call. Nucks 1st unit on the PP. Featuring... yes... featuring...
Kuz...OMG......he can score!
Westy
The drought is broken. The monkey is off his back. The cliché machine is broken. Kuz pots his 1st snipe since Nov 30th. And ended the game with a plus/minus +1. Not even Pete got on the plus side of one.
Tied 1-1 going into the 2nd. The 2nd period, the most wonderous period of the year early in the season.
And again tonight. Brock scores all the goals in the 2nd. His 1st one cleaned and shined up a juicy Vasi rebound. His 2nd was a bullet blocker-side after a great pass from around-the-world Huggie.
Nucks leading 3-1 after 2.
You what that means... yes, the Nucks extend their 15-0-0 record leading after 2 to... yes, 16-0-0. Lead the league in wins after leading after 2.
And these Taco Tougher Nucks lead the league in regulation wins, with 18. Not making it up.
To top off the delish revenge win over the Bolters, Brock scores the EN for his 2nd hattie of the season. He and the stache lead the league with 21 goals. 21 goals in just 29 games. Brock is having the best start to a season in his career.
Nucks are having their best start in NM's years and years. And years.
A 3 game win streak doesn't seem like much - however - it is a stronger streak than many, since the Nucks have played the tough checking, tough defending, tough on the puck, Tough Taco system with.. dare we say it, consistency.
What stands out from this winning streak is the consistent play of the Canucks. Close, grinding games, against solid teams.
Atty
It looks more and more like this team is for real.
Maybe losing to NJ was the best thing to happen to the team. They've tuned-in to the Taco details, details turned into a win streak.
ROG REVENGE HIGHLIGHTS
Shortie and Dave are having fun and so are we.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| DOLTS | Period | CANUCKS |
| 11 | 1st | 4 |
| 5 | 2nd | 14 |
| 13 | 3rd | 4 |
| 29 | TOTAL | 22 |
PLAYER SCORING
| GOALS | ASSISTS | +/- | |
| BOESER | 3 | +2 | |
| MILLER | 2 | +2 | |
| HOGLANDER | 1 | +1 | |
| KUZMENKO | 1 | +1 | |
| HRONEK | 1 | +3 | |
| HUGHES | 3 | +3 | |
| EV | PP | SV% | |
| DEMKO | 21/22 | 6/6 | .966 |
TACO TALK
"Good team effort." - Coach Taco
Nucks top the league in the most important stat in the game - the DIFF. It's a big DIFF of +37.
Another not nearly as important stat, the Nucks are 1st in the NHL with a 3.54 in the prestigious GF/GP number.
Other than the early 1st... and taking another too many men penalty and some other details, Nucks came back in the 2nd to out-hustle, out-check and out-score Tampax Bay to win the game before the period ended. And bent but didn't break into fire drill dancing in the 3rd.
Good team game. And congrats to Bess for his 2nd hattie. And Kuz for his 1/3 hattie.
One more home-cooked ROG game against the other Floride team. It's Lu night in the ROG on Thursday when the Nucks hang his jersey and sucky contract in the rafters. That's the least Lu can arrange after being on the Nucks payroll for just shy of forever.
Are you looking forward to a fun night of nostalgia and textbook Taco Tough win? Me too.
