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Devils Thump Canucks 6-0
Goaltender Arturs Silovs hadn't played a game for the Canucks in two weeks. It was painfully obvious.
The New Jersey Devils scored on their first shot, and the rest of the night didn't get any better. But, in all fairness to Silovs, the team in front of him was terrible, and played their worst game in two years. Suffering their worst home ice shutout loss since 2006.
Ex Canuck, Jacob Markstrom, turned aside 20 shots to post the shutout. "It was embarrassing." said veteran defenseman Tyler Myers, of the loss.
Connor Garland attempted to give the Canucks a spark in the second period, down 3-0, with a very spirited fight against Erik Haula, and held is own quite well. J.T. Miller commented post game; "That was a hell of a fight. You'd think maybe we would play a little better after that. That sucks. The guys getting punched in the head for you." Miller went on to say, "We make it too easy on the other team. Not enough F-U in our game."
This game received a lot of national attention, here in Canada, and was dubbed the 'Hughes bowl.' Jack finished with two points, including a goal, while Quinn and Luke were held off the scoresheet. Maybe it would have been better dubbed the 'boos rein down' bowl, as that's what the Vancouver faithful, in attendance, did for the team.
Speaking post game, Head coach Rick Tocchet said; "Our odd-man rush coverage was probably the worst I've ever seen since I've been here. It reminded me of when I took over the team. That's how bad it was tonight."
And again, where is Elias Pettersson? The guy is an absolute shadow of his former self. I mean, it's not all on him, but come on get your s-t together.
On the New Jersey side, Nico Hischier is having one heck of a start to the season, scoring his 10th goal in 13 games. This Devils team looks very good. Even on a night when the Canucks looked Halloween scary.
Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, and General Manager, Patrik Allvin, have demonstrated in the past that they are not the type to stand pat. Don't be surprised to see incoming moves Canucks fans.
It's a team day off for the Canucks today, before flying to California for a three game stint beginning Saturday in San Jose. The Devils, meanwhile, fly over the Rocky Mountains to take on the floundering Calgary Flames tomorrow night.
Fraser Sinclair
Senior writer
@kootnuck on X (Twitter)
Return Of The Black Skate
It's 1994, Pavel Bure blasts out of the Canucks zone at warp speed, weaving gracefully through the opposing team, on his way to a beautiful back hand deke on whatever goaltender was unlucky enough to be facing him on that night. He's wearing the familiar home white jersey with the flying skate, as he raises his arms in celebration of the goal. Yes, that was before the NHL changed to white road jerseys. A story in itself for another time.
That's where the love of the Skate jersey began for Canucks fans. With that beloved team. Bure and his cast of supporting players, the likes of Trevor Linden, Kirk McLean, Cliff Ronning, Geoff Courtnall, and Jryki Lumme, to name just a few.
That team and jerseys endeared themselves to the fans, and were etched in history following their Stanley Cup run, that fell a goal post short, that year. Sorry Nathen Lafayette.
The Canucks began bringing them back in 2016, albeit a slightly modified version, and only in black on home ice. Last season the team wore them about 40% of the time, and this year it will be closer to 50%, with 18 home games slated for the jersey, beginning Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Personally, and it is quite a popular opinion, bring back the Skate full time, both home and away. It's one of the sharpest looking jerseys in the NHL. It's also understandable that the younger generation may be more attached to the current Orca whale, and the 2011 Cup runner up team. Which, don't get me wrong, was a fantastic team in itself. But to a lot of fans the Orca whale more represents as a corporate logo for Canucks Sports & Entertainment, formerly known as Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment.
The feeling over the past few years is that Canucks Ownership, led by Francesco Aquilini, is giving the Skate a good hard look. And likely gauging merchandise sales against the Orca logo. Or, it's all for marketing purposes, or even both.
But, It's time. Just bring it back please, Francesco, Canuck Nation is waiting.
Today is a team day off. Next game up for the Canucks is a Hockey Night in Canada tilt, on Saturday night, against the Penguins.
Fraser Sinclair
Senior Writer
@kootnuck on X (Twitter)