Canucks Bounce Hurricanes 3-2 In OT; Horvat Scores Two, Including Winner

Posted on January 15, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 15, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (18-17-10) played the second game of their 6-game road trip tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes ( 20-18-8) at PNC Arena.

The Canucks were going for their third consecutive season sweep of the Hurricanes, while Carolina was trying for their 5th win in a row.

The Hurricanes took Vancouver to overtime, but in the end, the game would belong to the Canucks, as they would take their third consecutive season sweep of the Hurricanes; snap Carolina’s consecutive winning streak at 5 games; win their third overtime game, in their last 9 games; and win their first game of the road trip, defeating Carolina, 3-2 in OT.

Vancouver is now 10-9-5 against the Eastern Conference, and and 5-5-1 against Metropolitan division teams.

Bo Horvat, with his second goal of the game, and 8th goal of the season, would put the game away for Vancouver in the overtime, at 3:25.

Linden Vey would also score; four different Canucks received assists; and Jacob Markstrom, stopped 38 of 40 shots, for a .950 Sv%.

Bo Horvat’s points streak goes to 6 games (6-3=9), while Radim Vrbata takes his points streak to 3 games (1-2=3).

Markstrom in his last 9 starts has a record of 6-2-1, and a goals against average of 2.15; .930 save % during that stretch.

For Vancouver, the victory gave them their 6th win in overtime this season; 7th win in 12 games (7-3-2) and their 3rd win on the road in their last 5 games (3-1-1).

And the Canucks would finally score the first goal of a game since just before the Christmas break of 2015.

Vancouver is 1-1-0 on the six-game road trip that continues Sunday at the New York Islanders.

The Canucks had no power play opportunities, the second time this season that has happened. The only other time was on December 15, 2015, on the road against the Minnesota Wild.

Vancouver power play was 2 for 3, 67 percent tonight. It is 25 for 29, 86 percent in their last 9 games; 20 for 23, 87 percent, in their last 5 road games.

Vancouver is in 4rth place in the Pacific division, tied for 3rd place with San Jose; and 3 points behind Arizona, in 2nd. Los Angeles is 11 points in front of Vancouver in 1rst place with 57 points. Anaheim is one point behind the Canucks, who possess 5th place. Vancouver is 4 points ahead of Calgary, who occupy 6th. Edmonton occupies the cellar of the division with 39 points.

The positions of Nos. 2 thru 5 in the Pacific division are separated by 4 points.

The Canucks started the opening period hoping to end their eight consecutive game streak of being scored on for the opening goal of the game.

Bo Horvat had a great scoring chance within the first half minute of the start of the game, as the Canucks got off to a quick start.

The first ten minutes of the period did not have a lot to offer. Shots were 5 to 3 for Carolina.

The last half of the opening period would have more action. Linden Vey would open up the scoring, the first time for the Canucks in 9 games, on their 5th shot of the period, at 13:14.

Vey’s first goal of the season, unassisted, on a wrist shot, to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead.

The first power play of the game went to Carolina, as Brandon Prust went off for holding Nathan Gerbe at 17:01.

Kris Versteeg, on the power play, would even up the game for Carolina, at 1-1 at 18:27. Versteeg, his 8th of the season, assisted by J. Slavin (7) and J. Staal (12)

Before the end of the period, Jake Virtanen would give the Hurricanes their second and third power play’s, at 19:23; a double-minor for high sticking Justin Faulk.

Carolina and Vancouver finish the opening period tied 1-1.

After one period:

Carolina out shot the Canucks 9 to 6. The Hurricanes had 6 giveaways to the Canucks 1.
Vancouver had 3 takeaways to the Hurricanes 2 .Carolina had 4 blocked shots to the Canucks 3 .
Carolina ruled the face-off circle, going 17 for 26 , percent. Matt Bartkowski led Canucks in shots with 2 .
Four of the top six players in TOI for Canucks, were defensemen: Tanev, Edler, Hutton, Fedun.
Vancouver and Carolina had 4 hits each

The Canucks would open the second period by killing off the double-minor to Jake Virtanen, hoping for a momentum surge from it; at the very least, giving the penalty kill a rest in order to pursue scoring some more goals.

It didn’t turn out that way exactly. The Canucks were out shot and were struggling in the face-off circle.

But Vancouver would score.

The Canucks would take its second lead of the game at 9:32, as Bo Horvat, on a wrist shot would score his 7th of the season, assisted by Tyler Fedun (1) and Matt Bartkowski (9).

It was Horvat’s 5th goal in his last 6 games, extending his points streak to 6 games.

After two periods:

Carolina out shot the Canucks 27 to 11 . The Hurricanes had 8 giveaways to the Canucks 2 .
Canucks had 4 takeaways to the Hurricanes 3 . Both teams had 7 blocked shots.
Carolina ruled the face-off circle, as Canucks 18 for 47 , 38.3 percent.
Matt Bartkowski led the Canucks in shots with 3; Daniel Sedin and Bo Horvat had 2 each.
Matt Bartkowski led the Canucks in hits with 3. Emerson Etem and Linden Vey had 2 blocked shots each.

In the final period, the Canucks were having issues organizing some action in the offensive zone due to showing signs of running out of gas; and getting lots of time in their own end, courtesy of the Hurricanes, who were having an easy time not allowing Vancouver to break out of their end.

Jacob Markstrom routinely made save after save, protecting the Canucks 2-1 lead, as his teammates were having issues generating push back.

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 15: Kris Versteeg #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes attempts a backhand shot past Jacob Markstrom #23 of the Vancouver Canucks as Ben Hutton #27 defends during an NHL game at PNC Arena on January 15, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

With nine minutes left, Carolina was out shooting Vancouver, 35 to 15.

Canucks continued to battle hard, doing what they could to get that third goal without putting their one goal lead at risk.

With 2:10 left in regulation, the Hurricanes would even up the score at 2-2, as the puck would deflect in off both Biega and Bartkowski in front of the net.

John-Michael Liles, his 4rth goal of the season, on a deflected shot, at 17:50, assisted by Andrej Nestrasil (9) and Victor Rask (17).

The game would head to overtime.

And in overtime, Bo Horvat, on a delayed penalty, would score the overtime winner, on a steaming slap shot, on the short side of Cam Ward.

Horvat, his second of the game, 8th of the season, assisted by Radim Vrbata (10) and Chris Tanev (7), at 3:25.

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 15: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with teammates after scoring an overtime goal during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on January 15, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Canucks Lose; Capitals Extend Home Winning Streak, With 4-1 Win

Posted on January 14, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 14, 2016

Vancouver visited the Washington Capitals in the first game of their 6-game road trip last night at Verizon Center. The Canucks brought a 2-0-1 record in their last three games on the road into the game, looking for a third victory in 4 games.

For the third time this season, Vancouver had a chance to spoil a teams long consecutive winning streak. First, it was the Montreal Canadians in October (9 games). Then, the the Florida Panthers on Monday night (12 games). Washington was in the midst of a 10 game winning streak at home last night.

But alas, it was not to be, as Vancouver (17-17-10), lost a tough one on the chin, 4 to 1, to the top team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals (33-7-3), who extended their consecutive winning streak at home to 11 straight games.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 14: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is poses after being presented a commemorative hockey stick by Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis in honor of his 500th career NHL goal before playing the Vancouver Canucks at Verizon Center on January 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 14: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals poses after being presented a commemorative hockey stick by Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis in honor of his 500th career NHL goal before playing the Vancouver Canucks at Verizon Center on January 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Evgeny Kuznetsov had two goals and an assist, and had a plus/minus of +4 for the Capitals; Andre Burakovsky, checked in with 2 assists; Braden Holtby, stopped 29 of 30 shots, for a .967 Sv%, for the top team in the NHL.

Vancouver was handed their 3rd loss in the last 11 games, going to 6-3-2 in the span. And their first loss in their last four road games (2-1-1).

Radim Vrbata, had his second goal in his last 15 games; Bo Horvat, picked up his 6th point in 4 consecutive games (4-2=6); and Henrik Sedin, got his 28th assist of the season, his 7th assist in his last 10 games; his 3rd assist in two consecutive games. Ryan Miller, stopped 36 of 39 shots for a .923 Sv% for the Canucks.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 14: Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck past Zach Sill #23 of the Washington Capitals in the second period during a game at Verizon Center on January 14, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sven Baertschi would have his consecutive points streak come to an end at 2 games (2-1=3).

The Capitals and Canucks played to a scoreless first period, with Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller making some great stops in his first game back from a groin injury.

After one period:

Washington out shot the Canucks 13 to 8. The Capitals had 8 giveaways to the Canucks 3.
Vancouver had 3 takeaways to Washington’s 1. Canucks had 8 blocked shots to the Capitals 5.
Vancouver ruled the face-off circle, going 7 for 12, 58.3 percent. Adam Cracknell was 2 for 2 on face-offs; Bo Horvat, 3 for 5.
Newcomer Emerson Etem led Canucks in shots with 3. Alex Biega had 4 blocked shots.
Four of the top six players in TOI for Canucks, were defensemen: Biega, Tanev, Edler, Bartkowski.

In the second period, the Canucks on a sloppy change, and Washington on a 3 on 2, led to the opening goal of the game by the Capitals, after Vancouver killed off a penalty to Alex Edler, 13 seconds earlier.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, with his 14th goal, on a backhand shot, assisted by Dmitry Orlov (12) at 6:12, 1-0 Washington. The 8th consecutive game Vancouver has given up the first goal.

The Capitals took a 2-0 lead at 12:03, when a shot by Karl Alzner went off Radim Vrbata’s stick and off the post on Miller’s blocker side.

Alzner, his 3rd goal, on a slapshot, from Andrew Burakovsky (9) and Justin Williams (15).

Canucks penalty kill came into the game, 32 for 38 in their last 11 games overall, 84.2 percent, and killed two penalties in the period, to improve that stat, 34 for 40, 85 percent.

Vancouver was 0 for 1 on the power play in the period.

After two periods:

Washington outshot the Canucks 15 to 14, 28 to 22 overall. The Capitals out hit the Canucks 12 to 4.
Vancouver had 8 takeaways to Washington’s 3. Canucks had 14 blocked shots to the Capitals 11.
Washington ruled the face-off circle, going 16 for 31, 51.6 percent. Newcomer Emerson Etem and Adam Cracknell led Canucks in shots with 4; Bo Horvat, with 3. Alex Biega had 5 blocked shots; Ben Hutton, 4.
Five of the top six players in TOI for Canucks, were defensemen: Biega, Tanev, Edler, Bartkowski and Hutton.

The Capitals were determined to put an exclamation on their desire to continue their consecutive home winning streak, as they scored just under the two minute mark of the final period, as the Canucks were under siege.

Tom Wilson, his 4rth goal of the season, on a wrist shot, at 1:37, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov (26) and Andre Burakovsky (10).

The Canucks were looking to avoid being shut out for the 6th time in their last 20 games. And they were handed a great opportunity with a power play when Marcus Johansson was sent off for holding Alex Burrows at 9:10. The power play received a bonus, a two-man advantage, when Brooks Laich received a penalty for high sticking Alex Burrows at 9:55.

Radim Vrbata, with his 11th of the season, would score on the power play with the two-man advantage at 11:09, from Bo Horvat (11) and Henrik Sedin (28). That would be it for the power play though. The Canucks power play would end up being 1 for 3.

With Vrbata’s power play goal, Vancouver made it five straight games they have scored at least one power play goal, going 5 for 16 during that stretch.

After sticking close with the Capitals on face-off draws in the game, the Canucks hit the skids in the final period with the Capitals winning 11 of 13 at one point.

With 2:13 left in the game, Miller was pulled for a 6th attacker for the Canucks in an attempt to pull within a goal of the Capitals. Miller would have to return due to a Canucks icing call, with 1:14 to go in the game. And then return for another icing with a minute left. With 48 seconds left, Burrows came out on the ice as the 6th attacker.

In the end, the Capitals would make it 4-1, on an empty net goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov, his 15 of the season, second of the game, at 19:59, unassisted.

The Canucks continue to sit in 4rth spot in the Pacific division, 2 points out of 3rd, and 5 points out of 2nd place, in the fight for a playoff position.