RECAP #25: NUCKS WIN! (Really!) Shutdown the Jets 4-0

What a difference 3 days make. 3 days of not playing the full 60.

Thank Gaud we re-hired Green at the YVR gate. And didn’t trade Sutz while flying over the prairies.

The Nucks had their worst month of hockey in February since... well.. since October 1984. That’s the 1st Macintosh release year for those of you reading on a 9 inch CRT. For the last 37 years.

Nucks have claimed the fewest points after 24 games to start a season since 97-98, the start of the Lay’s Salesman Betcha Can’t Barf Just Once era. And had already fired the coach, the GM and the cleaning staff by that point.

Yet as dire as that was, it was an 82 game season, not a 56 game - 4 points a game season. Ah... the Before Times, so much less pressure, much less social media and much less social distance.

If you happened to read the fabled NM Round Table this week, you’ll notice how most of the NM Angst and Anguish Team were ready to fire everyone not named Travis. Although...

The Nucks were on track to extend the 4 game losing loss streak and considering how easily the Jets beat us at home, we were well... looking to enjoy the hint of spring in the March air.

So colour us surprised and relieved that not only did the Nucks win another game in WinningPeg, but Demmers recorded his 1st NHL shutout. Woooooooo!!!

And the shutout meant the Nucks did not give up the lead late in the 1st. Or mid 2nd. And... not making it up - not in the entire 90 nail-biting minutes of the 3rd.

THE AMAZING:

The Nucks leap out to an early lead. 3 goal lead in the 1st is a leap. We’ve never seen that before. Seen it last to the end of a game.

It was an amazing 10 minutes with 2 Nucking goals to start.

Was there ten minutes though?

More like 7 minutes of mediocre hockey and two good shots that ended up in the net. — Twitchy

Mere quibbles. The league doesn’t calculate mediocrity, even if it’s a hallmark move, NHL counts goals. And we had 2 before you could spit porridge and pain.

First it’s Nate with the GWG in the 1st.

Lucky bounce? We’ll take it!

Next it’s Nate and Miller tipping Hellabuckie.

2 Goals in less than minute?! That’s crazy.

But, the period would not be complete without the Nucks legendary 23rd ranked PP getting in on the leaping scoring action. Not the 1st unit, because there were awful.

But... look out...

Pepper Potted one — raddy

From then on the Nucks were a one goalie show.

Demmers was sharp and making stops. ALL the stops. ALL the time.

Game thread had full confidence in the Nucks staring down the inevitable.

Oh crap, I just realized something.

We’re winning 3-0. Better get 1 more team, before you stop playing and lose halfway in the 2nd. — raddy

No worries. Pepper Pot has got some pepper in his confidence...

After the 2nd, the Couch Coach’s Corner of the game thread was back on the air.

Perfect road period with a lead

now they need to score a couple more in the third. Counter-rush when Winnipeg starts taking risks — Westy

Pete heard you. And took the game on his stick and dragged it down the ice.

Petey

What a shot!!! — raddy

Woooo

petey with a highlight reel ericksson style goal! — Twitchy

Pete was playing deep in his own end - like last season’s 200 foot Petey. That’s a good thing.

Weird NHL Stats:

I didn’t know that.

That’s a cool stat. As long as one leaves 2nd and 3rd periods off the stat-o-meter.

In the 1st Nucks tied the Jets on shots at 7. Outshot them 8-5 in the 2nd. And the full D 3rd were outshot 15-4.

Doesn’t matter how few shots you put on net - just 19 this game - it’s how many pucks you or your duly appointed hockey Gauds put in the net. Yeah... Gaud didn’t score, but had 2 helpers.

No Fedlers. Eddie didn’t take a penalty. Myers didn’t either. Nor Rous. Only Gaud would dare.

All The Goals Highlights:

It’s a road game, but our stay-at-home 2 Johns are still calling the game.

GAME STATS (Few Shots, Lotsa Goals)

	SOG	FO%	PP	PIM	HITS	BLKS	GVA
Canucks VAN	19	46%	1/2	2	12	15	14
Jets WPG	27	54%	0/1	4	23	6	7

PLAYER STATS (No minus players!)

A road presser that’s not a depresser. How cool is that. Savour it.

Are we giddy with this substantial One Game Win Streak?

No. No, not yet.

This Nucks team has a big big task ahead to summit Mt. 500. Hopefully tomorrow’s 2nd of this back-2-back will let the Nucks defy gravity a little longer.

Hockey Gods will extract payment tomorrow...

But for now, that was a nice road win.

If only the Nucks had 3 days off between every game and time for practice.

Jets overpassed about half a dozen times, missed the net on some others, but for the most part that was a well contained game where they bent a little in the third but didn’t break.

And did you see Thatch flash the leather like it was nothing on that slot shot with 5 mins left? He was dialed in, cool as Brock’s hairstylist.

Real test is tomorrow. C’mon Holtby, stand up like the forest your name is. Nothing over the shoulder tomorrow. — copey

Cautionary tales are so last month. The Nucks are Undefeated in March. So far.

Enjoy the roller coaster, the ride we know so well.