Did you hear about the new ride at Disneyland? It’s not at Disneyland. It’s near Disneyland. Specifically, the Honda Centre. We can describe it as a rollercoaster named the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. It starts pretty calm. The shots were 6-4 for the Ducks. It does have a bit of a bump when A.J. Greer scores to make it 1-0 for the Ducks.
The second period is where it gets really bumpy. The Ducks get three goals to make it 4-1 after two. As you head into the third, the rollercoaster is going down, and it looks like it’s a steep, scary rides. But what you don’t see is that there’s a late turn. It’s called a “Lekkermaki.” He scores two goals in 49 seconds. He makes it 5-4 at 17:14.He ties it at 5 at 18:03. But the ride does not end there.
There is overtime! That lasts almost 5 minutes.4:49 to be exact. There are a few twists and turns, which include not one. But two Duck penalties. This leads to Filip Hronek scoring an overtime goal and the Canucks win 6-5 in OT.
In addition to Lekkermaki’s two goals, Brock Boeser had a great game. A goal and two assists, which included the assist on Hronek’s winning goal. He was shifty all night. He had six shots and two high-danger chances.EP40 had a great game. Two assists. But he could have had more; he had some creative plays. Especially on the power play. And Drew O’Connor was solid. He had three high-danger chances.
This was a game where the Canucks had an opportunity to sag. They allowed two late goals in the second. 43 seconds after Boeser made it 4-2, A..Greer got his second to make it 5-2. But the Canucks simply kept going. They played on their front foot for most of the game and were rewarded.
Don’t let Leevi Meriläinen’s 18 saves on 23 shots fool you. He made some big saves. Including a diving save 5 minutes into the third that would have made it 5-1. That save helped the comeback. As well as a late save on Beckett Sennecke with about 5 minutes to go.
The Canucks had 33 shots on goal. That ends a four-game streak of 20 shots or less. They outshot the Ducks 29- 17 in the third period and OT. 5-on-5 high-danger chances were 12-7 Canucks
The most important streak that ended is the 10-game winless streak for the Canucks. It was much needed. Yes, it’s a rebuilding year. But you can feel the frustration building with each loss. Not exactly the ride you want to be on.
As for the Ducks, this is a game they have to feel they let get away. Not only did they blow a 5-2 lead, this is a game that they should have won based on talent They have lost four home games in a row. After a 4-1 start, they are now 5-6-1. I mentioned in the preview that they have allowed four or more goals in eight in a row. It’s eight of nine. They allowed only 3 against the Islanders. But still too much. Even though they were leading, they never felt in control of the game. Poor puck management. Poor defensive coverage. Including a brutal giveaway on Lekkermaki’s 5-4 goal. Goals came on a couple of bounces. They are an exciting team. But they are also chaotic,
Sat came back!. Now Bik’s back!
Sst Shah announced that Bik Nizzar will be joining him for a segment on the post-game show. Sat and Bik hosted Canucks Central on Sportsnet 650. Great to hear Bik back on the airwaves.
Waiting on Cootes.
The Abbotsford Canucks are starting on a road trip to San Jose against the Barracuda. They are not expected to have Braeden Cootes on the road trip. But still awaiting word on how long he will be out with a lower-body injury. Stay tuned.
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Tagged: nhl, Vancouver Canucks