The success story continues for the Vancouver Canucks. The team took, in connection with tonight’s round, its fifth victory in a row under new coach Bruce Boudreau when the Columbus Blue Jackets were defeated 4-3 – but the win was far from over. A goal was required from Elias Pettersson, double hits from team captain Bo Horvat and a powerful turnaround from a 0-3 defeat to preserve the winning streak.
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– This is a team that wants to win hockey matches, Boudreau said at the press conference after the match. It’s a special feeling when you get to be a part of something like that as a coach.
The Canucks started the day by placing defender Luke Schenn and forward Juho Lammikko in the COVID-19 protocol. After further tests, the hill was also placed Brad Hunt in the protocol. And when the Canucks thought the misery was over was picked up Tucker Poolman from the lineup in the middle of the match against the Blue Jackets to be placed in the COVID-19 protocol.
Despite that – and an early 0-3 deficit in the first period – the Canucks were able to get up and come back.
“With everything that happened today, it was tough,” said Horvat. We did not get the start we wanted at all. I do not know if it was because of everything around, but we at least stayed calm and bounced back in the second and third period.
Double goals from Eric Robinson and a hit from Max Domi was what made the Canucks, for the day with Jaroslav Halak between the posts, was in a 0-3 hole already after the initial 20 minutes.
Canucks team captain Bo Horvat made sure to give the Canucks hope as he 7:41 into the second period shot a perfect shot straight up into the crossbar behind Elvis merzlikins. But the home team went into the third period in a disadvantage 1-3.
One of Bruce Boudreau’s clearest messages to his team so far has been: “do not deviate and go around the finish line all the time, plant yourselves near the checkout”.
And in the third period, the Canucks, led by Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Bo Horvat, that they understood what the coach meant.
4:07 into the period, Pettersson whipped in a return from within one meter of the goal area – the Swede’s second goal in two games and sixth overall for the season. 9:35 into the period, the rookie forward arranged Vasily Podkolzin the equalizer by planting himself on the far post and shaving in a perfect pass from creative hill Quinn Hughes. And with less than a minute left to play, after the Blue Jackets had committed an expulsion, Bo Horvat thumped his second goal of the evening when he rushed towards goal and got a perfect cross-pass from J.T. Miller.
– All players in the team have bought the message and are doing all the important little things to win right now, Horvat said. There is no giving up or willingness to give up on this team right now.
Under Boudreau’s leadership, the team’s key players seem to have been lifted and are once again leading from the lead.
One of them, hill Hughes, scored three assists in tonight’s match.
– I do not think I have had such a defender in my lineup since Mike Green broke through in the Capitals, praised Boudreau.
Horvat was the one who started and ended the comeback with his two goals. Miller struck the decisive pass in the final minute. Brock Boeser and Conor Garland were noted for each assist – and were like hungry horns around the opponent’s goal throughout the match.
And so when Elias Pettersson, as for the second match in a row – third if you count the delicious “Foppa penalty” he offered against the Winnipeg Jets – found the net masks and once again proved to his new coach what a catalyst he can be in Canucks offensive.
Video: VAN-CBJ: Pettersson nets in the third period
– That’s what good players do, Boudreau continued. “Petey”, Miller… our best players were our best players tonight and led the team. We rely on them and when they play well, it usually goes well for us.
Coach Boudreau also took the opportunity to pay tribute Oliver Ekman-Larsson who, after not training for over a week with an unannounced injury, stepped directly into the lineup and played 25:20 in the match.
– He had not been on skates in eight days and got the green light to play today, so we threw him in immediately and he fought hard out there.
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