As the Canucks prepare to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at Rogers Arena, let's get the bad news out of the way first:
After seeing how Hamhuis went down on Thursday night, this is about what I expected to hear. Have the Canucks just joined the long list of teams looking to make a trade for help on defense?
The injury comes just as Luca Sbisa returned to the lineup, giving the Canucks seven healthy defensemen for the blink of an eye. Frank Corrado has been recalled from Utica, but it's most likely that Ryan Stanton will draw back in on Sunday against the Blackhawks.
Corrado has two goals, an assist and is plus-three in 11 games with the Comets this season. Utica suffered a rare loss last night—and Jacob Markstrom had his first tough game of the season—when the Comets fell 7-4 in Rochester, with Markstrom giving up six goals. Nevertheless, Utica remains the top team in the AHL with a 12-3-2 record as they prepare to go for a record at today's Frozen Dome Classic in Syracuse.
The Carrier Dome is normally used for football and basketball at Syracuse University. It's the largest domed stadium of any college campus, with a capacity of over 49,000 for football—not too far off B.C. Place.
The record for the largest crowd ever to watch an indoor hockey game is 28,138—set at the old Thunderdome in Tampa Bay for a playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers back on April 23, 1996. So far, 27,000 tickets have been sold for today's matchup between Tampa Bay's farm team, the Syracuse Crunch, and the Utica Comets, so the record is within reach.
It should be a pretty special experience for Markstrom, Jensen, Shinkaruk and company. Game time is 4 p.m. PT.
This historic day seems like a good time to look at the Comets'
team stats. Captain Cal O'Reilly is leading the way at a point-a-game pace, with one goal and 16 assists in 17 games. He was a two-time AHL All-Star back in 2009 and 2010 but at 28, it looks like Ryan O'Reilly's old brother is destined to be a minor-leaguer for life. At 6'0" and 188 pounds, he's on the small side for an NHL center. He had 41 points in 113 career NHL games with Nashville, Phoenix and Pittsburgh between 2009 and 2012.
Nick Jensen made a splash on his return to Utica this week, scoring the game-winner in the Comets' 3-2 win over Hamilton on Wednesday. Three of Hunter Shinkaruk's four goals to date have also been game-winners. He has eight points in total and is a plus-three through 17 games.
Here's a quick look at the Canucks' junior prospects as well:
Jake Virtanen's Calgary Hitmen are sitting fifth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with a 12-8-1-2 record, tied with Regina, Edmonton and Red Deer with 27 points. With a goal and an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over Moose Jaw, Virtanen now boasts four goals and nine assists in 12 games—not bad considering his late start to the season.
Over in the OHL, Cole Cassels is currently tied for fourth in league scoring with 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 21 games with the Erie Otters. Defenseman Jordan Subban's well on track to smash his previous career high of 51 points—he's already at 11 goals and 24 points in 22 games. Meanwhile, Jared McCann has just returned to action with the Soo Greyhounds after missing a couple of weeks with a viral infection. All told, he has eight goals and nine assists in 14 games this season.
Back in Vancouver, the Canucks are hosting their annual open practice today, ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. The team will hit the ice at 11 a.m. and while admission is free, you must pre-register if you'd like to attend.
Here's the link.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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