RECAP: NUCKS WIN!!! Drown Sharks 5-2 In The Tank

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It’s November. It’s SoCal. And the Nucks have completed the 5 of 6 points miracle on bad ice road trip through Cali hell.

Some may say that the Sharks are in a funk and aren’t the team they were expected to be. They lost at home last night. In the Tank. And lost again tonight. In the Tank. That last loss is the loss we care about. The Sharks at home have bloodied the Nucks so many times that we stopped counting at 7.

The Nucks winning in the Tank is rarer than me being hopeful about a deep playoff run. Ok, not that rare, but still.

Can you remember a Cali road trip that went this well on the scoresheet? Me neither.

We didn’t know that before the game though. Well... we did, but the Sharks were determined to not allow a powerplay goal against at home. The Nucks, this year’s top 5 streak-breakers have other plans.

Before that, we have to start the first. Fast and hard.

1st Period

And that’s what the Canucks did. Took the crowd out of the Tank early.

4 minutes in and Dell is playing fast and loose out of his net and Virt just about makes him pay. On the same play, Sutter gets the first goal of the game.

As we know from last night, that first goal of the first is vital. It’s 1-0 Nucks and they won’t look back.

Neither will the ref. Dillion took a cheap shot on Sautner, behind the net. Obvious penalty. Sautner hits his head on the ice. He’s down and woozy. The ref, Kozari, looks down at Ashton and lets play continue with a Sharks 5 on 4 while Sautner struggles to get to the bench. Ashton was in the lineup for 6 minutes because of last night’s injury to Quinn. The faeries are cruel. Almost as cruel as NHL refs.

Ugh. But the show must go on. Even if the game is already won.

Just to prove that point, it’s time for some Alien b-ball. Batter’s up.

For those who complained a few games ago about EP not shooting enough, how’s he doing now? Very good.

The Nucks lead 2-0 after 20. Outshoot the Sharks 14-8. The game is over. Really. The Tank is as quiet as a goldfish bowl in Kent’s tuxedo closet.

2nd Period

Ok, so the game continues. The way we totally expected it to.

A great rush from Virt and a certain goal.

Call on the ice said it was a goal. And the NHL Command Center in the CoTU can’t disprove it.

That’s how you drown the Sharks in the Tank. Go up 3-0 in the 2nd.

But, why take the the skate off the gill? Good question.

And good Gaud has an answer to bank on. Another deflection off a defender’s skate. Not that defender, but it’s a goal!

4-0 after 2. Wow! In the Tank! Wow! Wow!

Nucks outshoot the Sharks 8-8. Although the Sharks did come on stronger to tie the shot count. And setup their first goal of the 3rd. By taking a penalty in the last seconds of the second.

What?

3rd Period

The Nucks start the period with a huge lead and another power-play. The Sharks have not given up a power-play goal at home this season. They prefer to lose with dignity, 5-on-5.

Anyhow, another miscue from the Nucks power-play and the Sharks are on the board with a shortie. Demko’s shutout bid is snuffed out. Dammit.

No matter. It’s a 3 goal lead. Is that enough of a lead though?

No. No, it’s not. So... just to change it up, why not another power-play. Karlsson runs a pick on Gaudette and gets called for interference. Sharks are looking forward to another 4-on-5 chance. So much so that Big Joe’s Big Mouth flaps around on the bench. He goes to the box for unsportsmanship conduct.

It’s a 5-on-3 for the Nucks. They get some chances. First penalty expires, but Pete ends the Sharks PK streak while Big Old Joe watches from the box.

Wooooooooo!!! 2 goals for EP.

Nucks lead 5-1. This is perfect. Nucks scored 5 goals in a game. Again. And 5-1 score is the scored I picked in the SPW. End the game now.

Instead, Kane ruins my haul of points with stupid goal with 30 seconds left. Demko’s shutout bid is snuffed out. Again.

Oh well. It’s the first Nucks win in the Tank since 2016. Yes, it’s been that long. Only feels much longer.

Your Vancouver Canucks have defeated the Sharks 5-2 in the Tank. And take 5 points out of a 3 game Cali road trip without the proper export permits.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

The 2 Johns are back on the mic. Safe to leave the volume up.

STATS (WINNING!)

	SOG	FO%	PP	PIM	HITS	BLKS	GVA
Canucks VAN	28	45%	1/4	6	7	22	6
Sharks SJS	26	55%	0/3	8	22	12	7

PLAYERS

Pearson (former member of the Cali Mob) said:

“This was a heckuva trip. Back in the day, this was probably the hardest road trip in the NHL — L.A., Anaheim, San Jose. We got five out of six points now against division (rivals). It’s huge.”

Demko was sharp all game - especially in the first where he finished his university course work while waiting for the 8 Sharks shots.

The game’s first star, player of the game and the guy to not play badminton with in the summer was happy and humble in victory.

Green’s Road Room was heard to say:

“We played well - again prefer not to play with 5D - he’ll (Sautner) be re-evaluated tomorrow. “

Asked about Thatcher, Trav said:

“He played a hell of a game - hate to see that last one go in. “

Tell me about it. Cost me a valuable SPW point. And denied Demko his shutout for all over again.

Great November road trip. Other than the dancing with faeries part of the program. The Nucks will need more great November road trips, because this month is full of them.

However, they have a home game on Tuesday. The Blues are in the ROG to discover their +1 goal diff won’t be enough against that team with the +19 diff. No, not the Boo-urns. That team is your Vancouver Canucks.

Have a happy post-Halloween celebration. And... Wooooooooooooooooo!!!