Nucks Defeat Cheapshot Clowns 4-1.

Rebuild Rules state 1st and/or 2nd periods in the ROG are pretty much pre-game exercises.

Some watched the 1st period of the 1st home game of this new season. And saw what I saw. A sluggish start from the Nucks - per Rebuild Rules: "Start slow, finish frantic".

Although... giving up a PP goal to Cowtown after failing to score on their own 2 extra man that can't enter the O-zone chances was a little... too rebuildish. But still... rebuild rules.

Canucks put 5 shots on all-world goalie, Cooley. Flames had 11 and a goal. 1-zip far out-of-towners after 1.

There was also a 2nd period in the ROG. That was the same as the 1st, except cheapshot artiste, Bahl, knocks R2 head-first into the boards. Got 2 minutes for the Nucks to not score.

That was a dirty ass hit.

-- Twitch

However, Nucks didn't allow any more GAs and got 9 shots despite a flurry of ineffective power plays to prep themselves for...

The Game Start. Period 3. Or 1 in Rebuild parlance.

A buck and change in and Öhgren scores a goal that for sure, for sure, would be called back as Cooley 'appears' to swipe the puck off the goal line before it crosses.

Yeah, that's no goal.

-- Twitch

But, on review, it was a good goal!

Tie game - Rebuilding Canucks game was just getting started. Why play hard for 40 when you can just razzle dazzle for 20? Don't know.

It's 4-on-4 hockey because reasons... Öhgren passes to a sneaky Petey who lofts a beauty backhand over Cooley, former all-world goalie. GWG for Petey!

2-1 Nucks and then Petey lays a big open ice hit on fancy new Cowtown D man. While a CowClown is busy mugging Petey for the clean hit, DOC breaks in 2-on-1 to score on Cooley, former all-world goalie.

To Be Clear

It was D-Petey with the sneaky backhand to score.

EP40 is the Pettersson who delivered the big open ice hit that led to DOC's goal. Sounds like I'm making it up. Even I couldn't make that up.

Good lord: another EIGHT hits for Pettersson the Forward tonight. He may well lead the league after tonight.

Elias Pettersson is reborn in a whole new form. Holy Smoke.

-- Thursday

LEADING!

3-1 Nucks with 4 mins to go. It's a 2 goal lead. As we know, it's the safest lead in hockey.

But just in case, as the CowClowns empty their net to try the over-clowned option, Öhgren passes to R2 for the EN and a little payback for the cheapshot he took.

Nucks close out the game to win! In the ROG!

Just as Manny might have planned it. If he was into the Rebuild Rulebook as deeply as we are.

Canucks weathered the big boy hockey cheapshots, getting goalied through 40 and tilted the ROG ice to score 4 goals in a single period - the last period. Outshooting the visitors 12 to 5 in the 3rd. The period that counts. The one we will remember.

We're undefeated in the retros!

-- Twitch

Are we allowed to be a .666% winning while rebuilding team destined to pick 1st next year? Don't know, don't care.

SKY WORDS!

Sure, we've given up our special place in the basement. For now. If the Nucks special teams aren't going to be more special this season, we'll get it back, no problem.

Relevant Game Notes

GAME STATS

Great stats. Not great PP stats. 1 out of 2 ain't so bad.

HIGHLIGHTS

Shortie and Dave back in winning ROG form. Like the Canucks.

POST GAME CHATTER!

Öhgren, Meriläinen, D-Petey and Manny talk an intense 3rd period comeback that worked.

While we're having fun tonight, tomorrow is another day, another game. A game against the Lost Wages desert rat hockey club. Oh well..

Enjoy the wild, wild ride!

I am keeping this feeling with me for the rest of the year.

-- Thursday