FINALLY - THE ROG IS A HAPPY PLACE FOR THATCHER - AND US!

Earlier in the day we found out that Huggie wouldn't be playing. Again. If you saw Westy's preview you might think he was worried. And so were we.

However, the Nucks coaches coached the Unhugged team - I know, it's their job - coached the team with video sessions and high tech methods like always having layers of 2 or 3 bodies that big Mac would have to go through.

All the great coaching in the rink is only as good as the team's execution. Which was excellent. When Demko gets his 1st shutout of the season, it's a very good game. Other than the Nucks 5-on-2 PP needs some more work.

1ST

At first they Nucks were getting pretty much Mac 'n Mak sandwiched and getting out shot-attempted 24 to 8. Which doesn't sound like a big diff by Nucking standards, but was scary to watch.

However, Demmers did not allow any goals, only 4 posts.

Nucks lead 0-0. Not much of a lead, but it's almost all the lead they'll need going into the 2nd.

2ND

Not to put too big a spoiler on the plot line, but the Nucks win the game in this period.

Barely 4 minutes in and Ronnie goes hard-ass in his own end, wipes out opposing player - skates into the big snow that falls off mountains zone and puts a feisty shot on one of the Woods who plays goal for the Avs. Wedgewood, Wellwood, Redwood? Doesn't matter, because he didn't become the 1st start of the game.

Neither did DeBrusk. But after deftly knocking the puck to ice after the rebound from one of the wood goalies, Jake snapped the puck past the wood of the one of the wood goalies.

That's the GWG. Nucks win 1-0 after a mere 24 minutes of hockey.

Thanks for reading. It's ok to breathe normally again. Because the stats are on our side. Nucks are 10-1-5 when Jake scores.

Ok, fine. Keep reading... but now we're into the breathless phase of the period as Demko stops a bazzilion high danger shots from the sharp shooters of Colo.

That's it, folks! Nucks lead the Avs 1-0 after 2 and have already won the game, as hinted at earlier.

3RD

In the 3rd the Avs big, big dollar stars that generally earn their big keep, were frustrated and it was up to Wood, not a goalie, to inflict some pain on the Nucks by taking a few or several penalties.

I know, you're thinking... Nucks got a power play? Not just one. But 6. From the same refs that were working for the Wings last game. Talk about late makeup calls.

Anyhow Wood, the goon, not the goalie, got 23 minutes of penalties on just 8:39 of ice time. Fortunately we didn't have to wait around the rink watching him sit in the box past closing time. They added a substitute and a game misconduct and other official stuff.

On the 1st penalty a miracle happened. Not just a Nucking PP goal. But a goal from Mr. Snakebit Puckbobbler his self, Brockstar! Great up ice setup from Ronnie with a long Huggie pass to Jake who setup Brock.

Nucks lead 2-0 in the 3rd.

And then on the next PP, Pete draws a call off Mak. EP40 Pete. Nucks get 2 minutes of 5-on-3. But then one of the few remaining Avs defenders breaks his stick. Nucks have the very rare 5-on-2 PP. They're so gonna score. Just have to decide who gets it. Pete? Ronnie?

Except Brock has a double-clutch moment and Avs send the puck down the ice and Nucks have a minute-fifty to fritter away on the remaining 5-on-3. So much frittering. Looking for the perfect pass and shot. And in the end, when Brock got the only shot on goal in the 5-on-3, it was a weak sauce muffin.

Guess the great coaching moments of Taco and company at the practice never envisioned the Nucks ever getting a 5-on-3 ever again this season.

Doesn't matter.

What matters is the Avs, even with their megastar MacTraitor, a former BC boy who could have demanded to be traded to the Nucks, but didn't. Anyhow even the potent Mac 'n Mak attack with one of the Wood goalies pulled could not put a puck past Demmers.

But one of the new kids could put a puck past the undefended Avs goal line.

Nucks beat the Avs 3-0 in the ROG! Wooooooooooo!

OBSERVATIONS

No Huggie. No problem. No, really.

Taco and Gonnchie came up with a plan to stifle the Avarice. New Nucks with their additional D-Peteys kept the league leading point getter and the Avs high, high octane offense off the board.

The Real Demmers of San Diego is back, baby!

🚨Thatcher Demko is the First ⭐️ of the Game🚨 This is indeed a huge confidence boost for Thatcher Demko. Absolutely amazing performance by him tonight. — GA: 0 — SA: 25 — SV: 25 — SV%: 1.000 — 9th career Shutout #Canucks  #GoCanucksGo #NHL

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— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM

Pettersson played a great game. Pettersson was steady. Pettersson was invisible.

🚨D-Petey (EP25) is the ⭐️⭐️⭐️ of the Game🚨 He's an absolute wracking ball and a super exciting player to watch. Super responsible defensively and does not let himself get intimidated by veteran players. Incredible. #Canucks  #GoCanucksGo #NHL

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— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:26 PM

We're Quinning again! Even without Quinn!

😅😂 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL

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— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM

So many stars! All ours!

Vancouver/Colorado Canuck Stars 1. Hronek. 2 points 24 minutes played like a top 4 defenceman 2. Debrusk. Impactful 2 points. 3. Demko. Thatcher’s snatcher captured a shutout. Game Note: there was a rare competition for the third star #Canucks

— JDavid (@jdavidh.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM

Although... not everyone is pleased with Pettersson.

EP40 with a gutsy heart and soul 0g 0a 1 shot 1 hit outing to drag his team into the fight tonight! What a leader! So glad that big meanie JT Miller was traded so Petey could flourish here! #Canucks #ElevenSix

— BoestMode (@boestmode.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM

Anything else? Yes!

Not asking for much... but 5-on-3 practice with the Twins would be nice.

Video Replay

Shortie and Ray calling an exciting game - now with 6 Nucking Power Plays!

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

DeBrusk gets the GWG and GWP.

M-Petey gets his 1st presser after pressing on Big Mac all night.

Brock gets a goal and a happier presser.

Demko is back. Vintage Demko.

Taco Talks about executing the De-Mac/De-Mak plan. And complimenting fearless D-Petey.

This was the game to define the NKN. New Kids Nucks. Working title.

Nucks get a must-win game won. Tied with the Cowpokes for that 2nd wildcard... and not far behind the team with the 1st wildcard. Exciting couple, very meaningful, games ahead. Thursday, Nucks find their way to San Jose. Need to play hard and fast and grab those very meaningful 2 points. We're back in the race!