NUCKS GET A LOSER POINT - COLD CONSOLATION

Nucks played a great game. In the 2nd period and little bit in the 3rd. Perhaps it was the altitude, or their attitude. Playing the full 60 is not in regular Nucking rotation. Maybe later?

Blueger was the Nucks best center in the game. And didn't have a great game. Either he needs to be paid more, or perhaps, Miller and Pete need to play up to their salaries. Perhaps.

Nucks had a 2 goal lead early in the 3rd. And lost it - too easily. 1st time this season that Hockey Club had a multi-goal comeback. So Canucks.

Nucks started the 1st weak. Which is fine. Fine they let Demmers stop all the hockey club shots. Fine they were tired from travelling and playing in a quiet mausoleum.

0-0 after 1.

In the 2nd, Nucks get a lucky break. The Nucks PK faces a not-good PP. And then get their own PP. Without Pete, but with JT on the top unit. And miffles his way to a 3-on-1 going the other way. He's back!

Demmers makes the save on a non-textbook 3-on-1.

But then, the Nucks 2nd unit gets on the ice and despite being the 2nd, get the 1st goal of the game, thanks to the highly skilled, Heinen. Woo!

Nucks lead 1-0 after 2.

Early in the 3rd, Nucks double the lead on a big Josh breakaway that started with a big hit behind his own net and scooted up the ice with a great deke on the hockey club goalie.

With the win, the Demmers shutout assured, Nucks stopped skating and let the hockey club get through neutral ice unchecked.

And worse, Myers and Branny get backed into their zone by a single hockey player, who gets a shot off despite the keen attention of 2 Nucking-D who lose the trailer, Keller, who swoops in to knock the puck off Demmer's pads and scores.

Not a big deal, Nucks are still leading by a goal and willing to just absorb the pressure. And take weak penalties. Myers delivers a weak crosscheck at the end of his shift. He should know better, because the refs were calling weak, early and often.

And then, despite the Nucking PK playing lights out so far, get only a red light, when a shot bounces off Blueger's glove and past Demko.

2-2 after 3.

Ok, fine. Nucks let this one slipping away, but restore their win in OT. Except they don't. Because... Miller at the end of his shift decides to win the game. We thought he would change. But no, he dashes into the club's zone and makes the game winning pass to Gnarly for the game winning goal. Except Gnarly missed the pass - JT is gassed and watches the hockey club go the other way and score. Ugh.

OBSERVATIONS

Sometimes, you need your best players to be your best players. Last season, Nucks best players were in the top 10 in scoring. This season, well... at least they drive 5-v-5 play. Or do they? Pete has a single 5-on-5 goal so far. JT has 3. Heinen has more 5-v-5 goals than Pete and JT combined.

Again, Taco didn't Pete and JT together on the 1st PP unit. Says he's just trying something different. Ok. Not putting your best players on the 1st unit is certainly different. This seems like a different way to stoke the JT/Pete locker room bad mojo rumours.

Consistently inconsistent. That's the Nucks this season. Good game/Bad game. Repeat.

Why? One night, like last game, they can control the game and disrupt the opponent. This game, they started poorly due to altitude sickness or... they already met their good game quota.

Anything else? Yes!

Lazy win lost!

Video Replay

Shortie and Dave calling the poor outing at great heights.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

Josh talks about letting off gas and getting a sweet goal.

Heinen talking quietly in a quiet biulding.

Taco Talks Tough 'n Loud in a noisy building.

Nucks get a point out of this game they had in the bag - the win was there, if they could lock it down. They could, but who holds the keys?

No time to ponder all these difficult questions. Nucks are in Vegas tomorrow to gamble on whether the good Nucks, or the lazy Nucks will show up. Watching a Nucks game this game is a gamble if its own.