ROAD GOAL QUOTA EXHAUSTED - SO ARE THE NUCKS

A HOPE TO WIN GAME LOST.

Jets had Nucks for lunch. Hope it gives them indigestion when they get upset by the Blues in the 1st round. Could all have been avoided. But now is not the time for Coulda/Woulda/Shoulda. That's so last game.

As we watch the very faint outline of Nucks playoff hopes fade away across the long flat prairie, we can take time to contemplate how a long, long offseason is better than a short, short 1st round.

Nucks gave it their best. Actually it was their 2nd/3rd best as BC Faeries still has some hostages onboard.

The longest, toughest road trip of the year is finished, so are the Nucks. Road fatigue wasn't apparent early, but as the game wore on, the Nucks wore down. Huggie looked exhausted in the 3rd, had little left in the Huggie tank to defend or attack. Some other teammates were worn out mid-2nd.

1ST

Nucks were a little slow and dull to start. Demmers was sharp right off the hop. Which allowed the Nucks to wakeup and smell the blueline. The other blueline.

Of course the refs need to give that little home town boost... Nucks get a penalty while killing a penalty. Not even that weak call helps the Jets score 5-on-3. Nor 5-on-4.

And then, going against the flow of play, Mysie sneaks in Winni-zone while Suter skirts the fine, thankfully thick blueline. Mysie makes a great pass to Suter - he stick handles - freezes HellOnIceBuck and scores.

WOOO SUTER! What a pass by Myers!

Twitch

Winterpeg challenged the goal and lost.

The linesman are doing a great job!
Westy

Nucks went to the PP and did nothing to help their impending goal deficit.

Nucks lead 1-0 after 1. The only goal of the period and only lead the Nucks will have.

2ND

Nucks keep dominating into the 2nd. Kind of. Outshot Jets 11-7. But didn't score.

Instead... Connor breaks thru neutral ice uses soon to be more scapegoated-Forbort as a screen and pots the tying goal.

Still the road weary Nucks preserve the 1-1 tie all through the period.

Only to lose it in the 3rd.

3RD

Nucks are looking more tired. We're feeling a little weary as well. Nucks get hemmed(ish) in their own zone. Huggie is too tired to get the puck out. Other teammates are feeling out of position too. Scrambly play results in scrambly goal.

The GWG as it turns out, just 6 minutes into the 3rd. Plenty of time to play for another tie. Except... you know against the best team in the league.

Teddy had the best chance to score. Chose to make a low percentage pass off to M-Petey. That was the last best chance, ruined.

While the tired Nucks were preoccupied with figuring out how to figure out how to beat the Jets, the Jets just had to figure out how to beat the ice-challenged Forbot. And did. Perfetti walks around/thru Forbort and beats Demmers.

Fuck... not bobby forrbort on that one.

More like bobby fedler. Not often we see him get walked that badly.

-- Twitch

Nucks are down by 2 goals and their extra goal quota was all used up last game.

Taco pulls Demko early. And while Gnarland is carrying the puck by himself and losing it, the Nucks bench manage to get 7 Nuckleheads on the ice. Turns out the refs can count when it suits them.

Token too much man. Tocchet's legacy.

-- Twitch

So the Nucks get to out man the Jets with a 5-on-5 PK. Imagine if that worked.

Ok, too unimaginable. Good news, the non-goalie PK didn't give up the EN, so that's within a long walk to a moral victory.

Nucks lose 3-1 in Winterpeg. Not unexpected loss. Just not a great time of the year to face good teams.

Can the Nucks still grind and luck into a seedy spot? Technically, yes. If every other team in the chase gets a big dose of Nucks luck with free boarding passes from BC Fairies and lose lots of games, then maybe the Nucks get into the dance, beat up, exhausted and put up a valiant effort while getting swept.

OBSERVATIONS

Nucks season is over. No 2nd season for us. Which is kind of a relief. JR/PA need to focus on how next season can be more like last season than this season.

Capt'n Huggie logged 28 minutes... only about 10 minutes too much. He's not recovered from his injuries and needs to heal. Will Taco keep him out of 1 or more of the final 8? Probably not.

The sky is pouring... also... always blame the refs.

I don't know what the #Canucks have done over the history of their franchise to piss that idiot Gary Bettman off so much, but it's pretty clear that #CanucksConspiracy is alive & well. When is a high stick not a nigh stick, when it's on Canucks apparently. This is? Create a 5 on 3 advantage!

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— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) March 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Yet this when we were on the power play ISN'T a high stick, despite the Jets player doing a little amateur in-game dental work on Conor Garland after clotheslining him. #CanucksConspiracy from years ago is alive & well again. Directly influencing the outcome of the game. #NHL you suck

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— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) March 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Keep Taco or ?

The #Canucks season is sadly been a bust. There is no reasonable hope of playoffs (just to get swept) Better to use games & see what we have in Abby for next yr & start making some hard decisions on EP40 & his future. Sign Tocchet hopefully &start working to convince Quinn to stay long term(somehow)

— Grant (@pyeinburnaby.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM

I blame this loss on coach Tocc #Canucks

— David Cee 🇨🇦 (@canucksin4.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM

Or... keep the coach and fire the owner?

“Francesco Aquilini loves himself some playoff hockey” say the pundits. #Canucks failed to qualify 9 out of last 11 seasons. How’s this working out for him? I wish he would sell the team.

— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) March 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM

Should probably start looking at draft boards.. #Canucks

— Adam M (@adammoffat.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM

Put a fork in this team. They're done. Heads need to roll for this season. Such a colossal implosion given the optimism and trajectory of last year. How you can go from where the team was last spring to basically needing to rebuild is inexcusable incompetence. #Canucks

— BoestMode (@boestmode.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM

Anything else? Yes!

#Canucks

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— Andrew (@gusnolly.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM

Video Rehash

It's Shortie and Dave calling this vital seedy game in the top seed rink.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

Our $$$ 1C takes the presser.

Mysie gets the Winni presser - positively.

Taco says some same old tired things... we know the feeling.

Is an expected loss easier to take? Sure, let's say it is. And check out those draft lotto odds later in April.

Nucks finally, get a home game next week. Finally. Against an 'easier' opponent, That's something to look forward to... possible expected win.