Recap #47: A solid effort by the Abbotsford Canucks

Let’s have some fun here.

Of the 18 Canucks that suited up tonight, how many will play in Abbotsford (or the AHL, for that matter) next season?

I sorted it by ice time to make it easy.

I’d put the over/under at 5.5 but realistically, everyone at the bottom from Matthew Highmore to Tyler Graovac could be playing in Abbotsford or the AHL next season.

Regardless, this move to Abbotsford was a long time coming. Now, fans can enjoy watching a third of the skaters tonight play in the Fraser Valley next season.

What a treat!

Anyhoo, here’s a few tidbits after the Canucks drop a 4-1 decision to the Edmonton Oilers.

But first...

While I’m excited for the Canucks AHL affiliate to spring up in Abbotsford, I will miss communicating with Ben Birnell of the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

Rock-solid reporter. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading his work, and I’ve enjoyed communicating with him over the years.

Jack Rathbone...very nice

It was a solid NHL debut for Jack Rathbone, who played well despite getting no help from his partner, Tyler Myers.

Despite the lack of help from his teammates and all the odd-man rushes, Rathbone was not on the ice for a goal against. He finished with 53.6% shot attempt possession on the ice, and was quick to make plays with the puck in the offensive zone.

I was a little mean to Juolevi last night, but I think it might be hard for him to get back into the lineup with the way Rathbone played tonight.

Poor J.T.

I really do feel for J.T. Miller.

Although he was one of the only Canucks not to contract COVID-19, you can see that he’s overworked, a little uncomfortable playing out of position, and, well, not having a good time out there.

Evan Bouchard scored the back-breaking 3-1 goal late in the third period with Miller in the box.

Then, he coughed up the puck while led to Darnell Nurse’s 4-1 goal.

Really hard to criticize this team after what they’ve gone through (my apologies to Olli Juolevi once again), and Miller for sure deserves a lot of sympathy for basically trying to carry this team.

Oh, and he was matched up against McDavid all night long tonight after Horvat’s line didn’t fare so well against him last night.

Checking in on a friend

We’re gonna have to put this friendship on hold for the foreseeable future.

It is what it is

I hope you stood up in your damn living room and clapped for the Canucks after this loss.

Despite losing six in a row, the Canucks aren’t getting blown out. During their last four contests against the Leafs and Oilers, they’ve largely hung in there at even-strength, only to lose the game on special teams or in the third period when they’re out of gas.

This is an undermanned team fresh off of a respiratory virus that’s putting it all on the line. Even though putting it all on the line looks mediocre, that’s more than you could expect from this team after what they’ve gone through.

It was another solid effort tonight, and the Canucks really just lost this game after giving up two power play goals late in the second period. Otherwise, it was a close contest.

That’s all you can ask for as this team plays out the string. All I ask of Canucks fans, and those of you reading this, is that you clap those damn hands after every game.