RECAP: NUCKS WIN (Another For Hart) - Lose Game 2-1 to Flyers

After the hard-working, great-finishing mile high win, we were all keen to watch the wet coast wonders crash the Flyers big streak.

However, even winning this game would not make up for the other losses.

I don’t like these afternoon games in the eastern provinces. Bad things happen there. I suspect it is some sort of faery breeding ground. It’s just a theory, but in theory, it’s accurate.

1st Period

Nothing good to report. Like 2 early Nucks road goals and that sort of goodness.

Instead it was a no-scoring period. For us.

Worse.. this happened... EP collided with Edler and Elias had to go to the dressing room. The game thread screamed:

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Or at least I did.

Pete returned for another shift, and the game thread put away their nitro pills. Or at least I did.

Vancouver started the period strong and were outshooting Philly. But it’s a game-changing late penalty. Accidental trip from Bo who shouldn’t be penalised for being strong and Bo-wling over players. But, the most penalised team, the Canucks must be punished. Early. And often.

And the Bo bin time changed the tide, the early lead, the sure win.

While the Nucks PK has been near perfect, it wasn’t perfect enough. Usually cross-ice feeds are starved by the Nucks...but Guddy was too deep to keep the feed from Couturier feeding the Philly lead. Ugh.

The period ends 1-0 Flyers and shots 14-10 also for the Flyers.

Oh, well. Could be worse. And will be.

2nd Period

A little something good to report. The rookie Hart goalie can be beat. Just have to draw him out of his net.

After the Flying Flyers bobble their 3 on 0 rush, Goldy lofts the puck up the ice, where Sutter chases it. Hart, feeling frisky chases it too. Bobbles it up the boards to...Brock.

Wooo! We’re on the board. Game is tied!

Uh...no it’s not. Before the Nucks goal, Philly got another goal on a breakaway that beat Marky and the game thread spirit. It’s 2-1 Philly.

Still...that’s not so bad. No, it’s not. There’s still a chance for a tie, maybe even a little OT magic. We’re ready to report the Nucks outshoot Philly 14-12. Want more good reports?

3rd Period

Nothing good to report.

While the Nucks were peppering Hart and making all sorts of threats to the puck gods, something creepy was lingering in the rink.

We’d known that Sven wouldn’t play - a mysterious illness - a mysterious disappearance. We might have known who/what/it was lurking near our net. There were foreshadows in the tea leaves at the Empress, but no one could call the bench in Philly.

Then, gruesomely, a faery stuck Eddie’s stick in a skate. It wasn’t pretty.

And we knew...

Just when the full roster was back on full strength and looking good, the Faeries of November made a roster tweak.

Not one roster sub. Not two. But three.

While we were stunned by Eddie’s faery flop, in the game thread we got news about Demko. He’s injured too! In practice! Nucks have to call up DiPetro. What?

The game continued despite the faery interference and the Nucks were determined to tie the game. And Hart was determined too. Hart won the determination battle. Goldy almost beat him on the PP, but that almost doesn’t count like a total most.

And then the most happy thing happened. The Nucks score! The game is tied!

Or not.

The Nucks put 18 shots on Hart in the 3rd. 18! In one period! We’ve seen games where they barely made 20 shots in three.

Oh well. Good effort. Crappy return.

At least we can take comfort in the smooth tones of the two Johns.

Stats? If we have to.

Team Road Stats

Marky finishes with a .933 SV% which should be good enough to win any game. That doesn’t have Hart’s .976 at the other end.

Nucks get close to a season high in shots with 42. Which ought to be enough to win any game and answer the meaning of life and stuff. If it weren’t for that Philly rookie goalie. He’s the 6th goalie to play in net for the Flyers this season. 6th time lucky for them.

Last time we out-played the Flyers and beat them it cost them a coach. This time we lost and it cost us Big Ed.

Green stated in the No Green Room for old young men:

“It goes through your head a little bit. “Guys are used to (injuries); it sounds a little bit barbaric. But you are used to it. To see him go off the ice and sitting up, I think was good for both teams. Eddie doesn’t go down too often, so you knew he was hurt.”

How long will Eddie be out? A few games? Or a few months? As well as the face crunch and the possible concussion, Eddie looked like he twisted his right leg awkwardly or in faery speek - just right. Ugh.

The sole goal scoring Brock was upbeat about the team’s play. And Hart’s.

Bo talking about chances and faery fever.

The line blender is back on puree. Ugh. Expect Marky will play again against the Caps. A rested Markstrom plays lights out - a road tired 2nd game in 2 nights Marky leaves a little glow space.

Maybe, just maybe our slightly depleted roster can find a way to make the line puree purr and make Holtby howl. At least Ovi is still serving his one game suspension for skipping the A-stars game. He is, right?

Remember this?

Cross out the checkmark for Philly. Unless you’re Philly, then you get to keep it.

It’s a 500 road trip. So far. Can it get better than 500 soon? Not soon enough.

Enjoy your Teetering Tuesday. The Nucks season hangs in the balance. No pressure. Just requires the usual NM Game Thread Elite Fan performance. And some luck. Join in to win.