My recap (can be found on my blog, message me for site if interested)
Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators
Thursday, January 23rd 2014
Vancouver, BC – Coming fresh off a 2-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers, the Canucks were looking to extend their winning streak to 3 Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. It’s the first time these two have played each-other since December 3rd when the Canucks beat Nashville at Bridgestone Arena 3-1 with Ryan Kesler, a noted Predator killer, scoring the game winner.
Ryan Stanton played in his first game since suffering an ankle injury on December 17th against the Minnesota Wild. With Stanton drawing back into the fold, Yannick Weber was a healthy scratch tonight.
The Canucks set a good pace to begin the game as they had full control for the first 10 minutes, they had several opportunities, most off of rebound as Carter Hutton, the Predators net-minder, was giving up very juicy rebounds. Luongo only had to face 7 shots compared to Hutton’s 13, but Luongo had to be sharp as Nashville had a few good chances of their own. The Canucks were unable to create any solid chances off of nearly 6 minutes of 5 on 4 time.
Dan Hamhuis had all the opportunities for the Canucks as he was set up 6 times right in front of the net on the power play but was unable to actually get the shot away.
Dale Weise and Richard Clune had a spirited fight as both contenders threw some pretty good shots but there was no real winner. The teams each registered 7 hits in the first 20 minutes.
Roberto Luongo once again was having a solid game and it continued going into the 2nd period, Luongo made big saves all throughout the game and it was about time the Canucks helped him out as Chris Higgins opened the scoring with 9:59 left in the middle frame. The goal came off a tip in front as the initial point shot by Dale Weise was tipped by Higgins perfectly in front of the net as it went right over the shoulder of Hutton and into the back of the net. The Predators weren’t going quietly as they continued to generate chances throughout the period, Luongo had faced 15 shots while Hutton had stopped 22 of 23 shots put his way.
Luongo’s effort was all for not however, as the Predators would score early in the 3rd period to tie the game at 1. The Predators had complete control of the game as the period wore on, they were simply out-playing the home team in every aspect of the game. With just over 7 minutes to go in the game it was Seth Jones, the Predator rookie, who would put the Preds ahead 2-1 on the power play after a screened Luongo had no chance in the world to make the save.
The Canucks had a power play late in the game but it could barely be called one as they were unable to generate any chances, the Canucks have a lot of work to do if they want their power play to be feared once more. Roberto Luongo kept them in the game as long as he could as he stopped 24 of 26 shots, but the Canucks were simply unable to capitalize on their chances as Carter Hutton stopped 33 of 34 Canuck shots.
The Predators snapped the Canucks 2 game win streak as they beat the Canucks 2-1 in Vancouver.
Notes :
· The Canucks (26-17-9) play host to the Phoenix Coyotes (23-18-9) on Saturday