- I cannot stress enough how boring and bland the first period of this game was tonight. If you read any recap that tries to explain a significant event that occurred in the first period, THEY ARE LYING.
- Seriously, not to beat a dead horse, but that first period had about as much intensity as an optional All-Star game practice.
- IT WAS REALLY BAD.
- That being said, the atmosphere in Rogers Arena has been pretty god awful all season. Whether it’s waning interest in the team, or due to the fact the product in the NHL just isn’t that exciting, it was another game where they tell you it was sold out, but what they really mean was it was “sold out”. Heavy on the air quotes. Add in a couple of winks and a sly knowing nod of the head. Maybe add in a disclaimer explaining they can’t be held legally responsible for lying to you about the game being sold out. Lots of red seats out there.
- The second period started, and whether it was because the Canucks woke up on their own, or whether it was because Torts possibly screamed at them during intermission, they came out a lot strong. There were actual scoring chances, which was a nice change of pace.
- On one play Kassian fell on the ground on all fours, and then Sestito came barreling in and pushed a Coyote, and he tripped and fell over Kassian. It was not intentional, but as a visual, it sure looked like a move straight out of wrestling 101, so I approve.
- The Canucks powerplay scored the first goal of the game which was good because it was Jason Garrison getting to do it in front of ex-Canucks power play boss Newell Brown, who seemingly hated the idea of Garrison on the first unit power play last year (unless AV was the puppet pulling those strings). The bad news? Hamhuis got an assist, which means he will probably never get off the first unit.
- Through two periods of play, Mike Smith hadn’t dove once. I kid you not. Seriously. DON’T CALL ME A LIAR!
- Shot blocking, which in case you hadn’t heard, is like hockey porn to Torts (“Block that shot…..block it…..BLOCK IT…..”), has been fully accepted by the Canucks. How do we know this? Because there was Hank in the 2nd period, sprawling out and spinning in circles on the ground to block a shot. The best part? He then went down the ice to receive a pass from his brother which he promptly one timed into the net. Henrik then did a celebratory slide on the ice to mock the Coyotes.
@TheStanchion at this point. He's my #Calder candidate.—
Bruce Wayne (@mstad101) December 07, 2013
- Ryan Stanton Calder trophy candidate? While he’s got a while to go yet (Hertl, MacKinnon and Krug are probably top 3 right now), the fact he is flirting with being in the top 10 rookies this year is nothing short of amazing. If Stanton continues to play well defensively and produce points like he has so far, you have to consider this one of Gillis most astute moves. Stanton is currently top 10 in scoring right now for rookies by the way. I spoke with Ryan after the game and asked him if he saw himself being top 10 in scoring at this point in the season before the season started.
“No I’m not going to lie, definitely not. I’m more of a defensive defenseman, but uh, I’ve been lucky enough to get some points here and there. The play tonight, just a good play by the Sedins. I wouldn’t have expected that going into the season, but I’ll take it.”
- One of the more amazing moments on the night was when the Canucks had the puck in the Coyote zone and out-Coyoted the Coyotes. They held the puck against the boards in some of the most mind numbing boring, but hard hard working spade work I have seen in quite a while. It was fun to imagine the guy by the glass who paid $400 for his ticket, watching his money floating away for that moment. It felt like two minutes of just two guys working for the puck.
- Since this is Vancouver, and no lead is safe, the Coyotes of course tied the game up. They got a nice shot in off the crossbar on the first goal, and then got a goal when the Canucks decided to use firm words of discouragement against David Moss instead of tying his stick up in front of the net. Somehow the discouraging words did nothing to stop Moss from tapping in a rebound, to tie the game up. How bad was it?
@blakeprice1040 illegal defence? http://t.co/UQtTPorLVv—
James Taylor (@j_e_taylor) December 07, 2013
Yikes.
- Luckily for the Canucks, Higgins won the game in overtime, sending the fans home happy, and awake. Higgins abs were credited with the assist on the goal.
- Jonathan McDonald, my sports editor at the Province, was watching the game tonight from the stands when he noticed a fan celebrating the Henrik goal in an unusual manner:
Henrik Sedin just scored for the #canucks. And this is how this guy below me celebrated. http://t.co/YkIv1XKFkC—
Jonathan McDonald (@jonnymac68) December 07, 2013
At first I thought this was just a case of a fan who fell asleep due to the first period, but when the Coyotes tied the game up, I knew he was from the future and just knew better than to get excited.
- Speaking of odd things at the game tonight:
@TheStanchion here. #gonuts http://t.co/eVE2nEEVsd—
Mike W (@nucks72) December 07, 2013
Are coyote heads the new Horse Mask? I don’t know.
- Torts said after the game that while he was happy they had won the game, he was not happy HOW they won the game. The odd thing about this is that it makes perfect sense and is probably something most fans said after the game. With Vigneault, we would have heard about “sticking to the process” and then maybe a couple of lozenges would have been popped into his mouth. Torts is certainly a different coach from AV in how he breaks down the games, and it’s actually quite refreshing to see.
- That being said, I still anxiously await the day he explodes with anger at somebody, only to see the Canucks PR team move in and usher him out of the room, covered by a coat. “Torts is angry, SWARM SWARM SWARM”.
- The game itself was good because the Canucks got two points, but as Torts said, they should be winning these games cleaner. It’s frustrating to see the Canucks play a hard working, complete game, only to fall apart at the end of games.
- And finally, Alberts played a game for the Canucks tonight, and Torts said after the game he has to be careful with him, because he hasn’t played in a while. Alberts will certainly test the depth of the teams defense, but he has played well for stretches in the past, it just remains to be seen if Torts can get that out of him.
Next game is Sunday at 5 against the Avs. Will the Canucks blow another lead? Will Alberts play more than 5 shifts? Will Patrick Roy beat the crap out of a door?? Tune in to find out!
