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SixPack: Canucks use hot start to beat Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada

Bailey Meadows
Bailey Meadows
|
Dec 3 2017, 9:19 am
SixPack: Canucks use hot start to beat Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada

After a long six-game road trip, the Vancouver Canucks returned to Rogers Arena on the right note.

Daniel Sedin’s 1,000-point celebration set the stage for what was an entertaining game, particularly the first period.

The Canucks dominated early and jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but seemed to run out of steam for the latter two periods.

It was night and day, really.

The Canucks had 17 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. In the final 40 minutes? Just nine shots.

They essentially got a 2-0 lead, and proceeded to defend the rest of the game.

As Pepper Brooks from Dodgeball would say, “it’s a bold strategy Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ’em”

Well, looks like it paid off. The Canucks held on (thanks in large part to Jacob Markstrom) to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Hockey Night in Canada.

I wouldn’t try that again though.

1. A fitting tribute

Daniel Sedin recorded his 1,000th point last game in Nashville. It would’ve been nice to see him hit that milestone at home, but the good news was the tribute was not only done in front of Canucks fans, but also in front of a national audience.

For longtime Canucks fans, it’s been an incredible journey watching both Daniel and Henrik throughout their careers. That journey was highlighted before the game, with words from Markus Naslund.

Also, getting Dorsett to hand Daniel the puck was just so perfect.

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

2. Edler hit the net

I repeat, Alex Edler hit the net.

That alone is worthy of praise, but Edler didn’t just hit the net. He hit the top corner of the net!

Also gotta shoutout the vintage Sedinery to set up the play.

Not only did Edler hit the net, but he had a noticeably great defensive game as well.

The Sedins weren’t the only ones showing shades of 2011.

3. SixPack Superstar: Jacob Markstrom

You have to feel for Jacob Markstrom.

Despite playing good enough to earn one on many nights this season, Markstrom is still looking for his first career shutout.

Tonight was his 126th career NHL game, and he was SO close to finally getting that goose egg.

It took the Leafs 36 shots and over 57 minutes before they got one past Markstrom. Despite getting the win, he probably feels a little bummed after that.

After getting over the fact he just missed out on the clean sheet, Markstrom should be happy with his performance. He made 35 saves and kept his team ahead when they ran out of gas.

He may not have gotten the shutout, but he gets the SixPack Superstar. That’s just as good, right?

5. Where’s Matthews?

You could be forgiven if you thought this game was going to be a showdown between Brock Boeser and Auston Matthews.

They’ve been leading the way for their teams this season, but tonight, neither made a major impact on the game.

Not that either of them played bad – they didn’t. But they certainly didn’t take over the game like they do some nights.

Of course, you weren’t really wondering where Matthews was, you knew HNIC was going to track his every move, regardless of what the moves were.

5. Stecher is a warrior

This was not a fun game for Troy Stecher.

The 23-year-old Richmond native had to leave the game early after taking a shot off the ankle.

He returned to the game, but apparently the hockey gods didn’t want him to, because then this happened in the second period.

Stecher needed six stitches to fix that up.

Miraculously, he came back for the third period.

If his actions alone weren’t impressive enough, check out this post-game quote.

Stecher is a warrior, confirmed.

6. Virtanen’s mini hockey moment

If Jake Virtanen scored on this play, it would’ve been a goal of the year candidate.

After blocking a shot, Virtanen raced to try and get some separation from Nikita Zaitsev.

He lost his stick in the process, but managed to catch it and got a shot off while holding it like a mini hockey stick. Impressive stuff from Virtanen, who seemed to be flying all night.

Travis Green seemed to take notice too. Virtanen’s ice-time of 12:52 on Saturday was his second highest mark of the season. The only game where he had more was against Detroit in October when he had eight shots and scored a goal.

Bonus: Dart Guy is coming to Vancouver

You may remember Dart Guy making headlines in Toronto during the playoffs last year.

Well, he made headlines again today for making this bet with country music star and Canucks fan Dallas Smith.

The Canucks won, so Dart Guy will be at Rogers Arena when the Canucks host the Leafs next season – and he’ll be wearing a Canucks jersey. Nice work Dallas!

See also
Bailey MeadowsBailey Meadows
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