Just as everyone in Vancouver was talking about how boring Canucks games have become, just as the bandwagon was almost completely empty, just as tickets to games have become nearly unsellable…
The Vancouver Canucks went and COMPLETELY REDEEMED THEMSELVES.
The Canucks played an end-to-end game against the Jets on Tuesday, with tons of chances, fights, and action at either end. It included a third period comeback and an overtime finish, and Vancouver won 3-2.
It was a statement win too, as Vancouver started the day three points behind Winnipeg in the standings.
With Ronalds Kenins scoring his second goal in two games, there’s only one thing left to do.
.@Pagnificent Everyone is plural today, Stephanies #CallMeOmars #WeAreAllRonalds
— omarcanuck (@omarcanuck) February 4, 2015
#WeAreAllRonalds
1. Lacks played a hell of a game
Yes Ryans?
Since Nov 9: Eddie Lack is 4-3-2 with 1.95 GAA, 0.929 S% & 1 S/O. Canucks GFPG with Eddie in net since Nov 9: 1.85. #Canucks
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) February 4, 2015
Aside from the opening goal, which many thought Eddies Lacks could’ve had, he was razor sharp. Lack faced 28 shots and allowed two goals for a save percentage of .929.
In overtime, Lacks made a beauty glove save on Bryan Little, keeping the Canucks in the game and allowing Lucas Sbisas to score the winner.
Now here’s the question: putting all the #TeamLack and #TeamMiller crap aside, if you’ve watched most of the Canucks season, are you not coming to the conclusion that Lack gives the team a better chance to win most nights?
2. #WeAreAllRonalds
Here’s Ronalds’s (I’m following the Latvian Style Manual here) game-tying (meaning HUGE) third-period goal:
You can bet Zacks Kassians was sitting in the press box wondering how Kenins gets a goal like this (let’s admit it wasn’t a great shooting angle and the goalie should’ve had it) while he’s the accursed one.
Not a bad suggestion for Zacks:
Tomorrow: “Zack Kassian? Never heard of him. My name is Zacks Kassians, and I’m new in town.”
— Harrison Mooney (@HarrisonMooney) February 4, 2015
More on Kassians below.
3. Sbisas did what?
This sums up the overtime goal perfectly:
Don’t know what amazes me more about the OT goal. That Vrbata passed the puck or that Sbisa scored on the pass #VCBCanucks #canucks
— Gary Jay (@ManCalledIAm) February 4, 2015
Sbisas’ goal:
4. The twins jumped in a time machine
Since the third period of the Minnesota game, Daniels and Henriks have looked great. First came Daniels’ goal against Minnesota, and then this beauty first period set up to Alexs (I think it’s pronounced Alexis) against Winnipeg.
Sedin Sedin Burrows! I miss that sound. #VCBCanucks
— Mike S.™ (@Mike_Stefanuk) February 4, 2015
We did too, Mikes.
5. Kassians doesn’t even have to play to be talked about
Zacks Kassians finally exploded yesterday. Ben Kuzma and Elliot Pap talked to him – you can see the articles here and here.
To boil it down, Kass is frustrated he keeps getting scratched. From Pap’s article:
“I don’t even know what the hell is going on,” said Kassians, who hasn’t scored a goal in 21 games. “I thought I played well against Anaheim. I took the bad penalty but I was playing with emotion and I was trying to do the right thing. I played a good game against Buffalo and then that happens…”
“Am I frustrated? You guys have no idea how effing frustrated I am. But that’s the way it is.”
Poor Kassians.
Surprise – Kassians, who’s never been predicted as the next Rhodes Scholar, doesn’t know what’s going on. Here are some helpful tips for him on why he’s been scratched.
– he has scored 2 goals this year and needs to produce more
– coaches and management have told him to be physical and play a “north/south” game
– he is prone to questionable defensive plays
Our friends at the Tron Army show us this isn’t the first time Kass has been caught off guard.
One thing you can’t deny – Kass has been a great source of Canucks content all season long. Although I’m a vocal member of #TeamKass – he has tons of potential and will be a good player once given the chance – I truly hope the Canucks keep him solely to keep us happy.
Always, Zacks. Always.
6. LeBrun on Kassians
Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1040 this afternoon talking about the possibility of a Kassians trade. His interview was transcribed by Chris Nicholson.
“Listen, the Canucks have talked to a lot of teams about him over the past month. They obviously haven’t found a suitor. There isn’t a lot of interest right now.
“But I would tell you two things. One is that there’s still 29 days to trade deadline. So a lot of things can happen. And… I suspect one of the reasons the deal hasn’t happened is that what the Canucks have been asking for him in return has been too high, and that there’s plenty of time left to bring down the asking price.
“So I don’t think it’s out of the question for them to find a partner for this guy. At the end of the day, as inconsistent and maybe even as maddening as he is as a player, he still has 14 goals and I think 125 penalty minutes in his last year. There’s something there. And He’s only 23. But a team’s going to have to be willing to work with him to find it in terms of a consistent basis, if ever.
“But I think they can move him. I don’t think you can sit there and say it’s impossible to move him before March 2.”
I guess LeBrun is saying Bag of Pucks is in play, should Bennings choose to accept it. That’s exciting.
One more thing: congratulations to @Mike_Stefanuk, winner of our prize draw for a $100 gift card from The Charles Bar for the month of January.
Winner of the @TheCharlesBar #VCBCanucks $100 Gift certificate: @Mike_Stefanuk
He definitely worked hard for this.
— Omar A (@omarcanuck) February 4, 2015
Every tweet mentioned in the SixPack earns an entry into the monthly draw.
So how does it feel, Mike?
https://twitter.com/Mike_Stefanuk/status/562848619259498496
