Canucks Post-Game Sixpack - That Was For You, Pat

Dec 19 2017, 10:24 pm

It was an emotionally charged evening at Rogers Arena and the Vancouver Canucks did not disappoint their departed friend Pat Quinn, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers on St. Patrick’s Day.

With another basement-dwelling Eastern Conference team in town, the Canucks could ill-afford to drop another “should win” game, especially in light of the Los Angeles Kings suddenly giving a damn in the playoff race. Fortunately, Vancouver avoided dropping another Buffalo-sized bomb and took care of business, running the Flyers out of town by a score of 4-1.

As much as I would love to suggest celebrating this latest Canucks victory with a Vancity Buzz Sixpack, I think it would be more appropriate, for tonight at least, to light up a stogie and grab a pint in honour of the Big Irishman, Pat Quinn.

Final score: Canucks 4 – Flyers 1

Canucks goals:

  1. Alex Edler (6th goal) – Assisted by Brad Richardson and Derek Dorsett
  2. Alex Burrows (13th goal) – Assisted by Daniel Sedin and Alex Edler
  3. Alex Burrows (14th goal) – Assisted by Daniel Sedin and Luca Sbisa
  4. Radim Vrbata (26th goal) – Assisted by Shawn Matthias

 

Flyers goals:

  1. Michael Raffl (17th goal) – Assisted by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds

 

1. Kassian Suffers Super Convenient Mystery Injury

Amidst all of the postulation regarding Willie Desjardins’ upcoming roster decisions, it was announced that Zack Kassian was mysteriously injured at the morning skate on Tuesday. Although, quite curiously, nothing was said at the time.

How convenient. I wonder how Canucks Nation will react to this news…

https://twitter.com/Arpannnnn/status/577997985495154688

It may seem outlandish and I’m certain that with time, information will come to light on what exactly is ailing Zack Kassian. But consider what Jovan has said here.

Kassian has endured his fair share of healthy scratches this year and every time it happens (right or wrong), the team and the player have to go through days of harsh criticism from both the media and fan-base. Willie Desjardins is probably sick and tired of it and it’s been well documented that Kassian is finished answering questions about being healthy scratched.

So, with a healthy Alex Burrows returning to the roster and someone needing to sit out, it appears that Kassian drew the short straw once again. But instead of announcing him as a healthy scratch, which would inevitably subject the Canucks to a few more days of ruthless criticism, why not say Kassian tweaked something in the morning skate and he is just resting in anticipation of the playoffs?

I’m not saying. I’m just saying…

Or, this theory is full of as much bull as Doug Wilson saying his relationship with Joe Thornton has been mended.

Probably more realistically:

2. The Big Irishman

I’m not going to go too in depth with Pat Quinn’s ceremony. Mainly because there will undoubtedly be dozens of articles covering the memorial, composed by much more eloquent writers than myself.

I will say that the Canucks once again outdid themselves with an incredibly touching tribute. It’s tragic that there have been so many in the past few years (Luc Bourdon, Rick Rypien and now Pat Quinn) but the organization certainly rises to the occasion each time.

However, the most surprising aspect of the entire ceremony was this:

Now there is a sight that Canucks fans never thought they would see again. And for those thinking that it was mighty convenient for Kirk McLean to be standing between Trevor Linden and Pavel Bure:

And for those that grew up in the 90’s and want to cap your evening off with a dose of depressing thoughts:

3. Dan the Hammer

Aside from a rare Pavel Bure appearance at Rogers Arena, the other surprise on Tuesday night was Dan Hamhuis dropping the gloves with Jake Voracek in a spirited tilt during the second period.

That’s our Dan Hamhuis, always thinking about others, even if that means punching the opposition in the face. But it wasn’t all good for the Hammer:

Yes, with the playoffs just around the corner, you would rather not see your team’s best defenceman bleeding on his visor. Fortunately, Hamhuis was fine and right back into the penalty box after getting stitched up by the Canucks’ medical staff.

Rob the Hockey Guy will be okay:

 

4. Burrows and the Twins

Zack Kassian probably chose the wrong time to get hurt (or did he get hurt….).

Alex Burrows was reunited with Daniel and Henrik and oh boy did it ever pay immediate dividends for the Canucks. Well maybe not immediate, but the trio sure did go to work for a quick sequence of events in the third period.

And a few moments later:

So it was a hell of a game for the top line and many people were saying that this is it for Kassian and the Sedins.

But not so fast!

What the Canucks have, and for perhaps the first time ever, is options when it comes to the Sedins. We know that Burrows and the Sedins tend to work well for the most part. But if that trio ever gets stale (and we’ve seen it happen), then it’s easy to throw either Zack Kassian or Radim Vrbata up to the top line to mix things up a little bit.

In the playoffs, options are good.

Real good.

5. A Very Confused Fan

Are skinny jeans still a thing? And is he conflicted? Because he looks conflicted.

6. What a Difference a Year Can Make

Last season, it took the Vancouver Canucks 82 games to get to 83. They have now surpassed that total with 13 games remaining.

Last season, Henrik Sedin topped out at 50 points while Daniel only got 47. Both twins are sitting at 60 points with 13 games remaining.

But most important, Eddie Lack was run into the ground last year trying to keep the Canucks in the hunt for a playoff spot.

This season? Lack has stepped into the role of number one after Ryan Miller suffered a knee injury and has looked every bit the starting goalie that John Tortorella tried to force him to be.

He’s also one win closer to solidifying a playoff position for the Canucks.

https://twitter.com/Mike_Stefanuk/status/578054680363728896

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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