Vancouver Canucks

Canucks trounce Nashville to end slide

The Nashville Predators strode into GM Place fresh off consecutive road wins in Dallas and Edmonton.
It did not take long for the sold out crowd to be whipped into a frenzy. Following a penalty to Henrik Sedin for holding, Alexandre Burrows broke in to Nashville territory and one-timed a loose puck over the shoulder of Dan Ellis. Ellis would not see much action in the contest, as Vancouver erupted for a four goal first period, prompting Predator coach Barry Trotz to send Chris Mason in relief of the starter.

It made little difference. The Canucks were quick to win the battles and face offs, something that had been troublesome for quite some time. Offensive chances were created through a willingness to compete hard for loose pucks and less time was spent chasing for possession. Thus far, Vancouver’s face off percentage was lackluster and had been operating at a paltry 43% during two losses this week. Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler stood out on this occasion and Sedin was particularly remarkable, winning 14 of his 17 draws (82%). Rick Rypien was called upon four times and delivered on three, while Kesler and six others combined to give Vancouver and Nashville an even total with 29 each of 58 total face offs.

Team toughness was again a factor, as fighting and rough play was prominent. It seems, despite the recent losing streak and striking lack of effort at times, that the team plays as such- as a team. They seem genuine in the eager attempts to come to a teammate’s aid. It was evident in the closing minute of this match-up, as it was in the previous matches.

Jordin Tootoo delivered a callous body check to an ill-equipped Aaron Miller, who was consequently injured on the play (with approximately one minute left), and left the game. Tootoo, being no stranger to these unpleasantries, galvanized himself for a backlash. Rookie defenseman Luc Bourdon took exception to this attack on his partner, receiving a vicious stick to the face from Tootoo when he engaged him. The game unraveled from that point, even though it had long been decided with a final score of 6-2.

The Canucks should be pleased, yet not sated. The Western Conference is again hotly contested and Vancouver lies 3 points back of division leader Calgary and currently hold eighth place in the West over Nashville with this win. Two young teams full of vivacity are chasing them with late season streaks in Chicago and Phoenix, while rivals Colorado and Minnesota will provide constant difficulties.

A team with a glut of injuries on the backend and lack of scoring might just have well thrown in or started waving the white towel by now. The Canucks have found a way to stay competitive and have set up the possibility of a playoff appearance. A team with perhaps the most valuable netminder in the business would do well to have their grit and leadership rise to the occasion, as many incredible occurrences have aided them already. The emergence of Alexander Edler as a bona-fide regular and really, a stand-out comes to mind. Offensive-minded Ryan Shannon and speedster Mason Raymond also bode well for the future. The leaders, whether by letter, emotional or de facto-will need to step forward and endow the team with that fire every night from here on out.