GAME RECAP #7: NUCKS WIN! 1ST HOME LOSS - Get OutWild’d 3-2

Welcome back to the ROG. And the end of the vast and wonderful 2 game win streak.

Haven’t seen the Nucks on Roggie ice since March 2020. Not sure about you, but waiting a few more days until the Nucks could get the dozen team defense practice sessions they didn’t have time for in the past 48 hours would be fine.

That and wait until Harmonic and Motte are ready to go. As well as fish out that rum resupply container now drifting out into the Pacific. Probably headed to Central America.

All the above and getting their engagement level and legs skating like they like playing on home ice (no matter how bad it is).

A lot Canucks blowing out tires out there..poor ice perhaps...poor sharpening jobs — Westy

Gravity is not our homer friend.

the ice seemed particularly shitty there, players falling over and over — copey

THE GOOD

Didn’t lose the game until the 1st 2nd 3rd period was over. Despite trailing after 1 and 2. And 3.

Pete got a point. On the PP. So that’s good.

And Capt’n Bo filled our half empty glasses with a taste of hope.

Demmers was great. Kept the Nucks in the game... although he probably wants the breakaway goal back. And freshly baked turnover surprise. No one could have stopped the Dumbo goal... except maybe the guy assigned to Huggie him.

PK was 100% and Bailey looked pretty good on it.

PP scored a goal - through the hypnotic power of over and over passing attrition.

THE BAD

Losing Poolman early in the game made the always on the tipping point Nucking D tip over. And breakdown.

3 poor horrid defensive coverage breakdowns and 3 Wild goals. Brock and Pete let a breakaway pass get away. A bad clear/great pass from Rathboom leads to surprise Wild goal. Stuff happens. But that Wild 3rd in the 3rd was zero coverage, but excessive coverage from Huggie. I can’t explain it.

Did Quinn just double team the puck carrier on the back check leaving Dumba wide open? — Gwailah

Not saying not having Dickie or Dowling available to play hurt the Nucking game before it started. But not having Dickie forced Greener into center roulette. That’s a game with poor odds and fewer wins.

Bessie had a terrible game. Both he and Pete were trying to get offence by sacrificing defense. They weren’t alone.

Millzie didn’t have a shot on goal, but compensated with some Millfering.

Jeeez miller...don’t do that! Holy. — Twitchy

And whiffing.

FFS, that’s the 4th or 5th time Miller has been waved out of the face off. It’s not even a minute into the 2nd! — Gwailoh

THE HOMELY FUGLY

12 minutes into the 3rd trailing... Nucks still waiting for their 1st shot of the period. Brock’s shot on the boards doesn’t count, but the lack of zip to catch the Wild breakout on the inevitable rebound from the Brock board bounce... I can’t even.... but luckily copey can.

Playing with no jam, no get up and go.

Boeser and Petey were lousy. Green tried them together I think 2 shifts the entire game.

Just put the Lotto on and make them play through it. They can’t be suddenly awful, and even if they are temporarily bad, play them through it. Yeesh. The line-blender NEEDS TO STOP!

As for why they lost, the team effort was .25 Garlands, and 3 major coverage breakdowns.

On the plus side, Demmer was really good again, though beaten twice on breakaways (post saved the 2nd one but he was majorly deked), and Myers had an excellent game, one of the best I’ve ever seen him play. I think he was only bobble-Myers hemmed-in-Myers twice all game. OEL was fine too, with just one bad shift. Unfortunately Burroughs/Rathbone got exposed twice.

And again, Podz is forcibly disappeared in the 2nd half of the game. Argh.

The team needs urgency and domination, not pretty plays. The agonizing Green death watch continues. Honestly, I thought at the end, that was a perfect imitation of Willie D. coaching, playing his 4th liners, his ‘energy’ AHL veterans, out of sheer frustration with the lack of gumption in the rest of the squad. This was a Megna game: clearly outclassed at 5x5. Moving on, then. — copey

Thanks copey for putting words where I only had muffled and unmuffled screams.

ROG Video Replay

Wanna hear the 2 Johns? Ok...

GAME STATS (Nucks played home openers one time too often)

	SOG	FO%	PP	PIM	HITS	BLKS	GVA
Wild MIN	30	46%	0/2	6	21	16	3
Canucks VAN	24	55%	1/3	4	22	11	6

SHOTS OFF COUNTING (shot count looks closer than it felt)

PLAYER STATS (Bo knows)

The 1st home loss of the season - despite the goal - Bo has to take the home loss presser.

Back in the home Green room, the mood is tight and words make no mistake.

We’re not going to panic after this horrid home opener loss - we’re only 7 games in fer cryin’ out loud. Saving that for game 10.

There’s just a simple checklist for the Nucks to go over. And over. And over some more.

• Urgency? Need more.
• Shots (on goal)? Need more.
• Goals? Need more.
• Team D? Need more.
• Top Line Play Like Top Line? Top of mind.
• Play Like A Team? Yes, please.

On the bright balanced side, the Nucks have regained the balance we were looking for last season. The balance of a 500 team.

While the rest of the division bounces up and down on the standings teeter totter like a bunch of drunken moneys, we can take solace that our beloved Nucks are committed to the middle path. Not too high. Not too low.

At least we hope so. If the New Look Nucks go on the low side of 500 - Drastic changes will be called for. The Nucks management braintrust will demand drastic actions. Drastic actions in the form of drastic patience from the fanbase.