Another Most Important Loss of the Preseason!
Nucks lose the 1st of the home on home series of preseason champs. It's ok, because the kids played well against the Oil's premier roster. Silly even.
Good start this game, where the young Nucks made the old Oilers look slow and disinterested.
Still 0-0 after 1. But in the 2nd, the Nucks 4th (or 5th?) PP unit scores! Bains pops a shot past Skinnie and Nucks win the period. And two thirds of the game.
In the 3rd, Oil comeback as the kids get their messages mixed and old thug Perry skates unmolested into the crease to put the puck behind Lanky.
Then Raty takes a rough roughing call and the McPP get a goal to spoil the Nucks unblemished PK pre record. Dammit.
Yet, before the Roger's rink announcer can announce the Oil GWG, the Nucks scoot up ice and Smitty gets the tying goal. The pretension in the preseason rink was filled with pre-apprehension.
In OT, the AHL+ Nucks go 3-on-3 with the highest paid players in the league. No worries. Benny and Keystone Kops dance around while the Oil make a bazillion plays and only get 2 failed shots on net. Meanwhile Sprong springs into action at the other end and almost scores, twice - while getting tripped, twice.
That was a fun OT. Should have had the Benny Hill track in the background.
Atty
In the 1st shootout of the pre, Lanky stops McD, so his job is done. Unfortunately neither Lekkerimaki nor Sprong can score. But Drei does on a slapper and so does Adversson.
Fun game... especially how the new Nucks kept it so close.
Nice effort.
Atty
It was fun to see the best line in the world fail over and over against our farm team.
The bazzilion dollar roster wins 3-2. Barely.
Yay! One more preseason game out of the way.
Pre-Impressions
Nucks gave up 13 turnovers. Yeesh. But that's better than the 15 last game. Baby steps.
Not a total loss for the 'Special Teams' - Nucks PP scored!1! However the PK wasn't perfect. Gave up a goal to the world's best. Not great... but still.
D Petey had his best game so far in the pre. Still some mistakes, but preseason hockey is a game of mistakes.
Bains and Lekkerimaki had strong games. Friedman saved a sure goal with a ferocious back check late in the 3rd.
Even tho Taco can't say his name, Taco liked the play of Kudryavtsev.
Raty didn't play his best game... but still better than Suter.
Guess we get to see JT sometime after Thanksgiving or spring break or something.
Video Replay
Shortie's back in the northern game. And can say every name at speed. He's ready for the reg.
GAME STATS
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Bains gets the near-game-winning goal and the presser.
Taco Talks Tough about cleaning up some more - but praised the players.
Great effort from this AHL+ roster. Fun game, despite the outcome.
Nucks get a few days rest to circle the dots, clean the rails and polish the walls. And make some roster cuts. Friday, the Oil come to toil in the ROG. Will MickieD play against JT? Maybe... but probably not.
