Game 1: At San Jose (4-1 Loss)
What an awful start to the season. The Canucks were penalized 8 times this game. The Sharks were able to get a full two minute 5 on 3. That is the bad news. The good news from this game was the great penalty killing. The Sharks were not able to score on the man advantage.
Roberto Luongo stopped 31 of 35 shots this game. He was very strong in net. He made the key saves when called upon during this troubling game. He looked like the Roberto Luongo from last season's playoffs, getting no goal support in the process. Deja-vu all over again.
The Sedin line was strong all night. They generated several chances and shots on goal and the Twins were able to gather a couple of assists on the powerplay on Jason Garrison's big slapshot goal. Alex Burrows was able to create some havoc in front of the net and had several good chances, but could not convert.
The defensive core looked very sluggish. Dan Hamhuis had one of his worst games as a Canuck with a couple of key giveaways. Alex Edler looked lost on the ice as he was also responsible for some giveaways. This was not a pretty night for the defensive core.
Game 2: Vs. Edmonton (6-2 Win)
This is more like the Canucks we are all used to seeing. This game is the epitome of what the Canucks/Oilers rivalry looks like. There is lots of goals, some fights, and tons of chippiness.
The game did not start out the way the Canucks wanted. Jeff Petry scores very early after dancing around Alex Edler. What got the Canucks going happened a few minutes later when Brad Richardson scored his first goal as a Canuck SHORTHANDED!
From there the Canucks were cruising. Two quick back to back goals from Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks finished the first period with a whopping 22 shots on goal, with 44 total on the night. This is the team we have been begging to shoot the puck even during the preseason games.
A powerplay goal from Daniel Sedin and a Ryan Kesler goal in the second period pretty much iced the game. Roberto Luongo faced 23 shots and stopped 21 of them. He did not have to make too many key saves in this game.
This was a complete team effort by the Canucks. The forwards and defensemen all contributed something in the home opener. They were all hard on pucks and played aggressively the whole game.
Game 3: At Calgary (5-4 OT Win)
This is an ugly win for the Canucks. However, the Canucks took part as being the Flames home opener and were glad to spoil it for them. Torts had to change up the lines to get some spark going, and it actually worked.
This was Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack's first game. He was very strong in his NHL debut facing 36 shots and stopping 32 of them. He had a couple of loose rebounds that he might like to have back, but he competed the whole 60 minutes and did not lose focus.
Vancouver's own Mike Santorelli and fellow third liners Brad Richardson and David Booth all were big contributors tonight. Santorelli potted two goals, one of which was the OT game winner. David Booth also had a nice deflection goal that gave Vancouver the early 1-0 lead. Brad Richardson may be Vancouver's early unsung hero 3 games into the season. He is an underrated passer and a phenomenal penalty killer.
The Canucks made a valiant three goal comeback in this contest against Calgary. They laid another egg in the second period by committing some penalties and not getting enough shots on the Calgary net. Torts was able to shift some people around and it gave the lineup a much needed spark.
Well that is a wrap. Next game coming up will be a dandy as the New Jersey Devils make an appearance at Rogers Arena. Cory Schneider makes his much anticipated early comeback to Vancouver. How will he perform against his old teammates?
Until next time, stay classy! -George
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