Canucks loving Brannstrom after game-winning goal and huge hit
The Vancouver Canucks are getting a major contribution from Erik Brannstrom.
The 25-year-old was excellent on Saturday night as the Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. He scored the game-winner, had three shots on net, and delivered a booming hit.
The good play is attracting the attention of people inside the organization, including his teammates and coaching staff.
The Brannchise has arrived in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/C8fY6QGFRR
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 17, 2024
“He’s been really good for us,” said star Elias Pettersson about his fellow countryman. “Happy he got the game-winning goal and he had a really good hit today.”
The 5-foot-10 blueliner isn’t known for laying the body but delivered a massive hit early in the first period against the Blackhawks.
Brannstrom getting ahead of the "not physical enough" narrative ASAP after that first Hawks goal pic.twitter.com/JcLufdjwZf
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) November 17, 2024
He had trouble picking a favourite moment between the hit and goal postgame when talking with the media.
“I don’t know,” he laughed when asked which was more exciting. “I usually don’t do both, goal is a goal but it was nice to see the hit went well too.”
It’s not only praise that Brannstrom is earning with his play. He’s also been developing the trust of the coaching staff. The 16:42 he played last night was a season-high.
“I thought he was feisty, jumping up. I thought he walked the blue line a couple of times,” said head coach Rick Tocchet about Brannstrom’s performance.
“He’s shooting the puck a lot, which I like. He was getting off that blue line, he’s changing the angle, sometimes we get our shots blocked, he’s one of the guys, he’s so quick, he can kind of get that shot around some people.”
It wasn’t a perfect performance as Brannstrom made a mistake on the only Blackhawks goal but he more than made up for it as the game went on.
The Canucks acquired the former first-round pick just before the season started in a surprise trade. He’s developed into a strong play-driver for the team, grading out strongly in terms of hockey analytics.
The bottom-four defence has always been the biggest question mark for this current Canucks roster. If Brannstorm can continue to perform like he did last night, a lot of those questions and concerns are quelled.