EDMONTON, AB – APRIL 6: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers can’t get a shot past goaltender Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks on April 6, 2016 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The game is the final game the Oilers will play at Rexall Place before moving to Rogers Place next season. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced July 7 that the Canucks have signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a three-year contract extension. The contract will carry an annual average value of $3.67 million and will run through the end of the 2019.20 season.
“Jacob is a talented, competitive goaltender with size and a proven ability to make big saves at crucial moments in a game,” said Jim Benning. “He set career highs in several statistical categories last season and two years ago led the Comets to their first Calder Cup Final. He’s motivated and wants to help his team win. We’re excited to have Jacob competing in a Canucks uniform for years to come.”
Markström is a tall goaltender that has a lot advantage of being big and making himself look even bigger in net. He is a skilled goaltender with great mental strength as one of his major characteristics. He is cool, despite having a strong winner’s instinct. Plays the butterfly style with a decent glove and has fine positioning and agility in net. What has been noticeable, however, is that he sometimes goes down too early and has problems getting up on his feet fast enough after a save. He could also work some with his rebound control, but overall Markström has plenty of raw qualities that makes him a very interesting prospect.http://www.eliteprospects.com
Appearing in his sixth NHL season in 2015.16, Markstrom established career highs for games played (33), starts (30), wins (13), shots against (988), saves (904) and minutes (1,848). The 26-year-old finished the season with a 2.73 goals against average, a .915 save percentage and set career-highs for most shots faced (48) and most saves made (47) in a single game on March 22, 2016 at Winnipeg. Markstrom also posted a record of 1-0-1 along with a 2.40 goals against average during a two game conditioning stint with the AHL Utica Comets to start the season. In 83 career NHL games split between Vancouver and Florida, the 6-6, 201-pound goaltender has a record of 26-42-9 along with a 3.00 goals against average and .904 save percentage.
On the international stage, the Gavle, Sweden native has represented his country in numerous tournaments including the IIHF World Championship in 2016, 2013 (gold) and 2010 (bronze) and at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2010 (bronze) and 2009 (silver). He is also set to represent Team Sweden at the 2016 World Cup.
Markstrom was acquired by Vancouver from Florida alongside Shawn Matthias in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Steven Anthony on March 4, 2014. He was originally selected by Florida in the second round, 31st overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
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 BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 11, 2016
Daniel Sedin Slays The Panthers With OT Goal,
Gets His 346 Goal As A Canuck
The Canucks had a mission Monday night, as self serving as it was, to end the Panthers’ 12-game winning streak in game two of Florida’s Western Canada road swing.
The Panthers’ winning streak, the longest since the Boston Bruins went 12-0-0 from March 2 to March 22, 2014, was put at risk as Florida sought their 13th consecutive win.
The Vancouver Canucks (17-16-10) played the last game of their 7-game home stand against the Florida Panthers (26-12-5) Monday night at Rogers Place.
For the second time this season, Vancouver would be spoilers to teams coming into Rogers Place on long consecutive winning streaks. First it was the Montreal Canadians. And now the the Florida Panthers.
Vancouver got their 6th win in their last 10 games, improving their record to 6-2-2, as they defeated Florida 3-2 in overtime.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after Daniel Sedin scores in overtime on Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers as Erik Gudbranson #44 of the Panthers watches during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Canucks battled hard, with Jacob Markstrom, the Sedins and the youngsters, leading the way.
Daniel Sedin with two goals; Jake Virtanen, with his first goal since returning to the lineup on Saturday night against Tampa Bay; Henrik Sedin with two assists; and Jacob Markstrom, stopping 26 of 28 shots with a .929 Sv%.
Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi had their point streaks continue, with an assist each on Jake Virtanen’s goal. Horvat now has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games; Baertschi, 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save beside Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Florida Panthers and Alex Biega #55 of the Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Markstrom is now 5-2-1 with a 2.19 GAA and .927 Sv%, in eight consecutive starts, since Ryan Miller injured his groin Dec. 20 at the Florida Panthers.
Emerson Etem, in his first game as a Vancouver Canuck, had an impressive debut, and drew two penalties, including the one that led to the winning power play goal in overtime.
Vancouver had a shaky start to the game, and a shaky end to the opening period.
Florida wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, as the Canucks surrendered the opening goal of the hockey game, the 7th opening goal on their seven game home stand by the opposition.
Jussi Jokinen, his 8th of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Reilly Smith (11) at 1:20, made it 1-0 Florida.
The Canucks once again were trailing early in a hockey game, where their opponent was dominating them in the play, catching them slow off the mark.
At 4:25, the Panthers’ Steven Kampfer received a penalty for holding Jake Virtanen giving the Canucks a man advantage opportunity to even the score at one apiece. Vancouver’s power play was unable to get a goal against the stingy penalty killing of the Panthers.
The bright spot for the Canucks was the play of the young players led by Bo Horvat, as he was robbed on at least two occasions by Roberto Luongo.
Roberto Luongo continued to stymie Vancouver as he came up on big on Emmerson Etem, Alex Burrows and Daniel Sedin as well, keeping the Canucks scoreless.
A tripping call on Brian Campbell for upending Emerson Etem, put Vancouver back on the power play for the second time in the period at 15:30. Once again, the Canucks came up empty, going 0 for 2 with the man advantage.
Just when you could see the Canucks game getting better and the momentum change, the Panthers scored a last minute goal, that took the wind out of the Canuck sails, going into the intermission.
Jonathan Huberdeau, his 7th goal, on a wrist shot, assisted by Aleksander Barkow (16) and Jaromir Jagr (17) at 19:27, to make it 2-0 Florida after the first frame.
Vancouver out shot the Panthers, 13 to 7; were 8 for 19 on face-offs; had 5 giveaways; were 0 for 2 on the power play; and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.
Linden Vey was the best Canuck face-off man at 4 for 6; Daniel Sedin led Vancouver in shots with 3; Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat and Jared McCann, had 2 shots each, in the first period.
In the middle frame, the Canucks came out skating with Florida, who had played the night before in Edmonton. And the Canucks pressure and persistence would pay off.
Daniel Sedin, with his 18th goal, would cut the Panthers lead in half, as his backhand shot would get by Roberto Luongo at 5:41, assisted by Henrik Sedin (26) and Radim Vrbata (9).
Nearing the halfway point of the period, Vancouver was out shooting the visitors 6-3 and 19-10 in the game.
Jared McCann would come close to getting the Canucks even as he had Luongo beaten but the goal post got in the way.
The middle frame ended 2-1 for the Panthers.
Vancouver and Florida had 8 shots each; Canucks were 10 for 22 on face-offs; had 4 giveaways; Florida had 3 giveaways.
Linden Vey was the best Canuck face-off man after two, at 5 for 9; Daniel Sedin and Jared McCann led Vancouver in shots with 4 each; Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat and Emerson Etem, had 2 shots each, after two periods of play.
The Panthers went into the final period with a great opportunity to extend their consecutive winning streak to 13 games, with the 2-1 lead.
Just a minute into the 3rd period, the Canucks would get their 3rd power play opportunity as Bo Horvat drew a holding call for holding from Willie Mitchell at 1:05. Once again, Florida would successfully kill the penalty, handing the Canucks their third consecutive unsuccessful man advantage without a goal in the game.
Shots were a premium as both teams were struggling in that department which suited the Panthers more than the Canucks.
With 12:22 left in the final period, shots were 4-3 Florida, with the Panthers defensive game continually frustrating the Canucks puck possession.
As the period progressed, it seemed Florida raised their game up a notch as they could sense history in the making, while the Canucks looked like the team that played the night before.
With seven minutes left, and the Canucks seemingly unable to generate any offense due to the Panthers dominating play up and down the ice, it seemed more than likely, the Canucks would suffer a loss in the final game of their home stand.
But Vancouver would not go gently into the night, and after a great stop by Jacob Markstrom on a 3 on 1 by Florida, the Canucks would be inspired and finally put another goal by Roberto Luongo, off a face-off in the Florida end, to knot the game at 2-2.
Jake Virtanen, with his 2nd goal of the season, assisted by Bo Horvat (10) and Sven Baertschi (8), at 17:22.
Markstrom would have to continue to make some great stops in the final 2:38, as the Panthers did everything they could to get the go ahead goal, but time would run out in regulation play, with the game tied at 2-2.
The Canucks battled back and would at least get a point but the question on everybody’s minds: would Florida extend their consecutive winning streak?
Vancouver would go to the power play as Emerson Etem would draw another penalty as Jaromir Jagr would get penalized for hooking at 2:07.
Then for the second time this season, the Canucks would be consecutive game spoilers, as Daniel Sedin would score on the power play, ending Florida’s consecutive winning streak at 12 games.
Daniel Sedin, his 19th of the season, second of the game, on a wrist shot, assisted by Alex Edler (12) and Henrik Sedin (27) at 2:21.
The goal was Daniel Sedin’s 14th overtime winning goal which is a franchise best for the Canucks.
Daniel Sedin is now tied with Markus Naslund for the all-time lead in goals scored for Vancouver with 346.
As the Canucks were celebrating the win, the two benches would get into a scuffle, after words were exchanged.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Linesman Kiel Murchison separates Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks and Willie Mitchell #33 of the Florida Panthers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/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 BANTER By Andrew Chernoff July 8, 2016
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 15, 2016
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 