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Vancouver Canucks Game Review/Game Day: Time to Put Out the Flames? |
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Friday September 25: Calgary Flames 4 - Vancouver Canucks 1
Relying on a lineup that was heavy on prospects and AHL players, the Vancouver Canucks were iced by a Calgary Flames team that was heavy on NHL regulars on Friday night. Here are your highlights:
The Canucks got off to a good start, outshooting the Flames 11-2 in the early going and taking the 1-0 lead at the 4:29 mark on a good-looking power-play goal from Jake Virtanen.
The Flames instantly turned the tide with a fight right after the goal, but even though Brandon Prust beat big Blair Riley—and, as it turned out, Riley wasn't on the Flames' official lineup card and was subsequently asked to leave the game—Calgary started to climb back into the game from there. Goals from Sam Bennett and Micheal Ferland (yep, them again) gave Calgary a 2-1 lead by the end of the opening frame, which stretched to 4-1 at the end of 60 minutes.
Calgary also won the mandated 3-on-3 overtime session after Kris Russell came off the bench to blow past Linden Vey and take the puck all the way to the net, putting Vancouver out of its misery for the night.
Despite having been placed on waivers earlier in the day, Richard Bachman started in net for Vancouver. He gave up three goals on 18 shots before giving way to Jacob Markstrom, who allowed one goal on 14 shots as well as the OT winner.
Bachman's now bound for Utica.
Virtanen finished the night with two shots, three hits, a block and an even plus-minus in 13:16 of ice time.
The best Vancouver forward on the night was Hunter Shinkaruk, who led the team with four shots and an even plus-minus. Despite receiving just 10:49 of ice time, Shinkaruk did play in all situations and, by all rights, looked like he was determined to spend next week with the Canucks rather than heading to France with the Utica Comets.
As I finished typing that paragraph, I just received an alert that the Canucks have reduced their roster by four more players—including Shinkaruk. He and Andrey Pedan (who also had a pretty decent game last night) have been assigned to the Comets, while Wacey Hamilton and Carter Bancks have been released and will attend the Comets training camp in Lyon.
That's too bad for Shinkaruk. I guess it was a case of too little, too late.
Willie Desjardins did not end up making the trip to Calgary, so Perry Pearn ran the bench once again. I imagine we'll see Willie behind the bench for at least part of the game when the Canucks and Flames reconvene tonight at Rogers Arena.
Saturday September 26 - Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames - 7 p.m. - Sportsnet Pacific, TSN1040
Here's a starting point for tonight's lineups, when the tables should be turned. The Canucks are expected to ice a more veteran group in front of their home crowd, while the Flames will lean more heavily on players fighting for jobs.
It looks like the only Canucks who could do double-duty this weekend are Matt Bartkowski, Frank Corrado and Brendan Gaunce. The list includes just six defensemen, so Bartkowski and Corrado will almost certainly be back in the lineup. Fourteen forwards are listed, but it's unlikely that Gaunce would be on the list after playing on Friday night unless the Canucks planned to give him another look today.
After cutting eight players on Friday, including Hunter Smith, and releasing veteran Douglas Murray from his professional tryout, Calgary has 49 players still in camp.
The Canucks will probably be relieved to hear that Sam Bennett and Micheal Ferland will both stay home in Calgary. They played Thursday in Denver as well as in last night's game—where both were difference-makers once again. Ferland was named first star and was moved up to the top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau for the second half of the game while Jiri Hudler was shifted to play with new acquisition Michael Frolik.
Blair Riley's on tonight's lineup sheet. I wonder if he'll get actual, sanctioned game action?
Karri Ramo is expected to get the nod in net for the Flames after Joni Ortio played Thursday in Denver and Jonas Hiller handled last night's goaltending duties. We may see Ryan Miller go the distance tonight for Vancouver.
I will be at the game and am looking forward to seeing Cole Cassels and Jared McCann in the flesh for the first time, as well as, hopefully, joining the party for Daniel and Henrik Sedins' 35th birthday celebration.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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