RECAP: NUCKS WIN! Record For SO Losses - Blanked 5-0 By BJs

Let’s start with a big Thank You to the time-limited minds at NHL Scheduling HQ.

Thanks for nothing.

It’s the final stretch of our traditional seasonal disappointment, is it really necessary to book Back-To-Back games over the last dozen games of specious losses? No, it’s not.

The Nucks worked hard last night and lost hard. Tonight, tired and deflated, they didn’t work hard and lost soft.

A loss is a loss. Besides, it’s not how you lose, it’s how you play. To lose.

Anyhow, we know we’re not a playoff team, even in the slow lane of the turtle derby, but we can still claim a league record. And did!

The Canucks have been shutout 10 times this season! TEN! Double digit goose egg losses. That’s something to hang on a banner. And then burn it with deathstares and fire.

1st Period

First 10 minutes looked like the Nucks might bounce back from their over-matched loss last night.

It looked like the BJs weren’t going to be too much to handle. Then the BJs get the first goal.

And tonight, first goal wins. We didn’t know it at this point, but will soon enough.

Shots were tied 9-9, but the game wasn’t. Dammit!

2nd Period

Nothing good happened. For the Nucks.

Columbus amped up their must win batteries, while the Nucks were draining theirs and couldn’t even make an emergency call.

The BJ’s add to their insurmountable lead with 2 more goals. The ROG’s deflation meter dropped to the slow hiss level.

Nucks were outplayed, outshot 16-8 and outscored 2-0.

If only the Nucks had some power play chances, they could reset to only a slightly listing ship. Except they had 2 PP chances and unlike the last 5 of 6 games, the Nucks PP reverted to the 7% solution. Diluted edition. The dis-improved Nucks power play went 0/2 to maintain the 0% success they banked in the first.

3rd Period

The game is over. Josh Anderson won it in the first. Many are hoping Jake becomes our Josh. Others are just hoping the BJs don’t run the score up more.

Hopes are meant to be crushed at this point in the season. Columbus adds two more goals, while Nucks left Demko to fend for himself.

Not every Nuck tho. Schenn was playing hard and heavy. Set the Nucks season record for hits in a game at 12. Highest hits per 60. Take that MDZ. Stetch was strong despite having leftover cold puck fragments for breakfast.

The final fugly score was 5-0 Columbus. BJs outshot the B-2-B bandits 8-4 in the period. And 33-21 in the game.

Because you didn’t need to see the BJs goals in each period, we’ve saved the 2 Johns to explain it all at once.

Working Stats

Not Working Stats

Adding Poolie and Goldy back into the lineup wasn’t the kickstart that Green might have hoped. Sven didn’t have the impact on the scoresheet he might have hoped. No Canuck did.

They like to kick us when we lose. The BC Faeries took Motte for a taste-testing session. They said he was yummy.

Beagle was handing out good advise that only fans could hear.

Because it was a tough loss, our toughest center takes on the media.

Over in the Green Room, the consistency of urgency was under investigation.

Fine. It was crappy game that ends with a league record in shutout losses. Fine.

We’re fine with that. If only the Nucks had played more than 10-15 minutes of the game with their usual never-give-up mojo. Demko didn’t get much defensive support and even less offensive assistance. 21 shots on Bob isn’t enough to make Bob break. 41 might have have broken his 7th shutout of the season. Maybe.

Oh well. Can’t lose ‘em all. It’s only a two game losing stretch. We’ve endured so many of those this season and bounced back to launch a stellar one game win streak. And can again.

Our near rivals in the sewers of the Pacific will bring their fowl odour to the ROG on Tuesday. We might match up better against them. If all the Nucks decides to play hard to play against. Also be nice if Jake gave some special payback time and crunch to Getz.

Enjoy your moody Monday and get your game thread belts, suspenders and drinking googles tuned-up for Tuesday.