RECAP: NUCKS Win Bad Team D Award - Stars Burn Nucks 4-2

The next winning streak must wait. Dammit. Back to the 2 goal quota. And turnovers. So many turnovers, Nucks could open a bakery in the ROG.

Seems the Nucks brain trust didn’t have time to research the type of clog game the Stars play. The Nucks fell into the trap. Early. And often.

And Green kept Miller off his highest scoring line. Because... he wanted to spread the non-scoring around?

Last game the Nucks PP won the game with 100% efficiency. This game... well... 0% is the new deficiency. Ok, not that new, but still woefully deficient. Not even the 2nd unit could turn on the red light.

Let’s get this clutch-n-grab retro 90s tight-checking odd-man-rushing borefest onto the path of ROG ruin.

1st Period

Here’s the best part of the period.

Stars play the 21st century trap game - and get the 1st goal because Myers was pinching - Bo couldn’t get back and Eddie couldn’t catch a break(out).

It’s 1-0 Dallas. And take the early lead that doesn’t bode well. Especially when it’s steaming hot turnover night in the ROG.

Shots are 10-8 Dallas.

2nd Period

Period starts with an early Nucks power-play. We need a good luck PP charm. And he came back.

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

But against the Dallas Trappers, the Nucks needed at least a dozen power-plays. 5 on 3.

Instead... because it’s hot fresh turnover night in the ROG... yup... a Dallas goal, that Stetch would really like to have back. Marky would like him to as well.

4 minutes in and it’s a 2 nothing lead for team cloggers.

Down 2 goals. To a known top trap team.

Bo finds a way to pretend center ice isn’t. Lofts a pass to Jake. Jake drops for Pearson at the blueline. Puts a shot on Hoodoughbin - who gives up rebounds like Vancouver delivers turnovers. Jake is there to collect the juicy gift and slams it past the Dallas net baker.

Yummy. There were so many Starsie goalie rebounds available all night. And so few Nucks available to re-re-reach them when needed. Oh well... half way towards the tie.

And just when the ROG and Bill were wondering when the Nucks comeback would be coming, it came back.

It’s a play that didn’t involve immediately crossing the blueline. It’s a passing play out to the point, where Stetch redeemed himself (partially) with a sneaky wrister through traffic.

It’s a point for Jordie! All Benn brothers have a point on the night. That’s something to cheer about. Wooo!

The next thing, not so much. It was obvious that Dallas was tired from all that winning last night. The Nucks can wear them down with speed. Speed and skilful passes. And no turnovers.

1 out of 3 is good, right? That’s like getting a D- on an algebra exam the Benn brothers never studied for.

Because points machine, Jordie, is hungry for the Gordie hattie. He pinches and tries to deke like he’s a bearded Quinn impersonator. His performance lacks some of the finesse, the finish - his Gordie-goal-lust gets interrupted by an unexpected turnover. Except we knew what to expect.

Possibly the most deflating turnover of the game. Very fluffy for Dallas. Got what looked like a 7 odd man rush. 27 passes later in the Nucks end, a couple Nucks finally made it back to gaze at the multi-man mayhem that potted a goal on Marky.

Instead of using the tieing goal to generate some Nuckly momentum, the heavy Dallas Trappers kept control of the puck and the game. Maybe not a coincidence the Stars coming in had won 9 of their last 10 games.

Nah... just a lucky coincidence.

With the Nucks goal-mission accomplished, they outshoot Dallas 12-9. And trail 3-2.

3rd Period

Down a goal to start. Just need a spark. A flame. A freakin’ cheap greasy goal against a stingy time/space Texas border wall.

There were a few possible Nuck pushback chances. Virt gets a decent look on a 2 on 1. Not to be.

And worse, refs were again letting opponents take liberties with Pete. There’s tough checking and then there’s mugging. Maybe the refs will draw the line at molestation. But, it’s still early in the season, not going to get better. Heal up, Ferlie!

And still worse... I know, how can it get worse? That’s a question for special Eddie (who looks like those 25 minutes-a-game games are catching up).

It’s a bad pass by Eddie, but a tasty turnover for Dallas, followed by a bad defensive play from Eddie to finish the turnover buffet in the ROG.

Raddy gets the insurance goal on Marky using a pad-stuffing move that ought to be prohibited. Unless we get 1 2 like that. Right now. But the Nucks can’t/don’t.

That’s the end of the game. The comeback. Our 2 game win streak is crushed. Hope this loss doesn’t hurt team confidence. We have the Faeries for that.

Anyhow, here’s the 2 Johns to breakdown all the breakdowns. Watch ‘em and weep.

STATS

	SOG	FO%	PP	PIM	HITS	BLKS	GVA
Stars DAL	29	60%	0/2	11	15	20	2
Canucks VAN	34	40%	0/3	9	19	9	8

PLAYERS

Tough loss after the not so tough win over the Preds. Ok, it was a tough game too - Preds were better 5-on-5 - yet that game was much easier to watch than this one. Because... 3 PP goals! Let’s watch them again....

Sorry... it’s against NM Nostalgia Control regulations to relive past glories. We’re not an Edmonton hockey blog.

Anyhow, the boys played hard, not hard enough on the puck and Dallas was the better team on the night. Dammit.

Since it’s a loss, Capt’n Bo takes on the heavy playing media.

Here’s coach Travis ‘MixMaster’ Green talking about the line bending game.

Let’s play the after-a-loss NM Poll-Game.

If there’s anything like a silver lining to take from this game, it’s that Dallas started really poorly - only won 1 in their first 10 games. And have only lost 1 in their last 11. So that’s gives us hope. How? I don’t know, but for just the briefest moment you hoped there was a little applesauce inside the leaky losing turnover.

Sorry. Sucks to lose in November when the Faeries are winning. Already holding ²⁄₃ of the 4th line captive - if Motte and Beagle and Ferlie and Sutter were on the ice, Dallas would have had a much tougher time making it a tough time on the Nucks.

Oh well. It’s just a game. A kid’s game. That we lost. FFS! Throw it in the bin with the other tough, soft and indifferent losses. Moving on.

Saturday could be a much more fun, run ‘n gun game as the Avs come to town, more Faeried-up than the Nucks. Let’s hope for another 7-6 OT win for the Nucks. With Pete getting 6 points... for elite reasons.