CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    April 1, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (28-36-13)  faced the San Jose Sharks (43-29-6)  in the second of two consecutive games between the two teams, on Thursday night at the SAP Center in San Jose, to finish up their 5-game season series against the Sharks.

San Jose had won three of the previous four games this season between the two Pacific division rivals.

Vancouver entered the game having lost their last 9-games (0-8-1).

In their nine consecutive losses, Vancouver had only 8 goals for, surrendered 28 goals against, and scored only one power goal in nineteen opportunities. Their penalty kill, 5th best in the NHL in that span though entering tonight’s game, at 91.3 percent (21 for 23).

Jannick Hansen scored the winning goal and picked up an assist; Daniel Sedin, Bo Horvat,  and Markus Granlund all scored; Alex Burrows and Henrik Sedin had an assist each; Ryan Miller stopped 32 of 34 shots for a .941 Sv%, in the Canucks first win since March 12 against the Nashville Predators.

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 31: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save during their game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 31, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

GAME REVIEW

Daniel Sedin scored 69 seconds into the game, to get Vancouver into the game on the right foot, giving the Canucks an early 1-0 lead; his 28th of the season, assisted by Jannik Hansen (14) and Henrik Sedin (41) at 1:09.

Bo Horvat would make it 2-0 Canucks at 13:55 of the period with the Sharks dominating the game. Horvat’s 13th goal of the season, unassisted.

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 31: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks scores a goal on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 31, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Vancouver got the first man advantage opportunity of the game when Ben Hutton was tripped by Melker Karlsson at 14:21. Canucks were unable to score.

• one power play goal in their last thirty-three opportunities for 3.03 percent, going back to March 7 against the Los Angeles Kings. Their only power play goal coming against the Nashville Predators on March 25.

San Jose would get their first power play, right after the Canucks did, when Henrik Sedin would be sent off for holding the stick of Joonas Donskoi at 17:09. Canucks would kill it off.

• Vancouver 23 for 24 on the penalty kill in last 11 games (including tonight), for 95.8 percent success.

Canucks would finish the first period with a 2-0 lead having been dominated otherwise by the home team.

In the first period:

• Vancouver out shot by San Jose 13-10 and won 7 of 23 face-offs.
• Canucks out hit by Sharks 9 to 5.
• Vancouver face-off leaders: Markus Granlund-0 for 3; Bo Horvat-3 for 9; Brendan Gaunce-2 for 3; Henrik Sedin-2 for 7.
• Alex Burrows and Ben Hutton: 2 shots each.
• Matt Bartkowski, Emerson Etem and Alex Biega: 2 hits each
• Vancouver power play 0 for 1; penalty kill 1 for 1
• Canucks TOI: Dan Hamhuis-8:33; Bo Horvat-6:33; Emerson Etem-6:41; Chris Tanev-7:49; Ben Hutton-6:18; Matt Bartkowski-6:03
• Teams Corsi For:
  • Even Strength:  Vancouver-16; Sharks-12
  • All Strengths: Canucks-21; San Jose-17
  • Top Canucks:
    • All Situations: Daniel Sedin +8; Henrik Sedin +7; Alex Burrows, Ben Hutton and Ryan Miller- +4 each
    • Even Strength: Daniel Sedin +5; Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows, and Ryan Miller- +4 each

Entering the the second period, Canucks announced that Sven Baertschi was unable to play the rest of the game due to a lower body injury.

With 14:36 to go in the period, Canucks were being out shot 4 to 1 and continuing to struggle on face-offs as San Jose were pressing to get their first goal.

Canucks would be shorthanded again as Jared McCann would be penalized for  hooking Chris Tierney at the 6-minute mark, giving the Sharks a great opportunity to pull within a goal, but as Vancouver has been doing of late, the Sharks were held scoreless.

Vancouver would be back on the power play at 11:30 of the period when dylan DeMelo would get a minor for interference on Emerson Etem. Vancouver would get four shots with the man advantage but no goal and would be 0 for 2 in the game.

Canucks found it hard to stay out of the penalty box in the middle frame. Jannik Hansen would get caught slashing Logan Couture at 13:55, putting the Sharks back on the power play.

San Jose would finally get a power play goal, from Patrick Marleau at 14:30, his 22nd goal of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton (58) and Brent Burns (45), to make it 2-1 Canucks.

Vancouver would give San Jose their third power play late in the period, with Alex Biega sent off for slashing Tommy Wingels at 18:30.

The Sharks would lose their man advantage when Joe Pavelski would get a minor for tripping at 19:00.

Vancouver would barely escape the second period with a lead, but they did, 2 to 1.

In the second period:

• Vancouver were out shot by San Jose 13 to 9 and won 13 of 21 face-offs.
• Canucks out hit by Sharks 8 to 5.
• Vancouver penalty kill was 2 for 3; power play 0 for 1
• Canucks face-off leaders: Markus Granlund-3 for 5; Bo Horvat-4 for 5; Brendan Gaunce-2 for 2; Henrik Sedin-4 for 8.
• Vancouver Time On Ice: Alex Biega-6:33; Dan Hamhuis-7:11; Yannick Weber-7:16; Chris Tanev-6:39; Ben Hutton-6:04; Henrik Sedin-6:35; Matt Bartkowski-7:09; Markus Granlund-6:41
• Teams Corsi For:
  • Even Strength: San Jose-18; Vancouver-9
  • All Strengths: Sharks-25; Canucks-19
  • Top Canucks After Two Periods:
    • All Situations: Daniel Sedin +9; Henrik Sedin +7; Alex Burrows, Brendan Gaunce- +4 each
    • Even Strength: Brendan Gaunce +5; Alex Burrows +3; Emerson Etem and Chris Higgins- +2 each

Vancouver holding a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, and were inching closer to snapping their 9-game losing streak.

Both teams started the period 4-on-4, and the Canucks were unable to score with their short time on the power play, so the Canucks continued the period 0 for 3 on their power play that was hard to imagine being any worse.

Vancouver was  holding their own in the period tied with the Sharks with two shots apiece and 4 for 6 on face-offs, and getting plenty of action in the Sharks end, with 10:16 left in the period.

Logan Couture would score his 4rth goal in consecutive games against the Canucks, his 14 goal of the season at 10:58, assisted by Brent Burns (46) and  Joonas Donskoi (24), to even up the game at 2-2.

Jannick Hansen would score on a 2-on-1, and take a hard slap shot that would score, blowing it by Martin Jones, his 20th of the season, to put Vancouver back into the lead, 3 to 2. Unassisted.

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 31: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks scores a goal in the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 31, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The good turn would continue as Vancouver would be rewarded with their 4rth power play of the game with four minutes left in the game, and a chance to go up by two goals. Instead they were happy to skate around with the puck and have seconds tick off the clock.

The Sharks took advantage of the lack of interest by Vancouver on their power play and put a 6th attacker on the ice with two minutes left.

With under a minute left, Markus Granlund would negate an icing, grab the puck and eventually score an empty net goal, to give Vancouver an insurance goal, with a 4-2 lead.

Granlund, his 6th goal of the season, assisted by Alex Burrows (13) at 19:39.

Vancouver win, and snap their winless streak at 9-games.

In the third period:

• Vancouver was out shot by San Jose 8 to 7 and only won 9 of 20 face-offs.
• Canucks out hit Sharks 13 to 7.
• Vancouver power play was 0 for 1
• Canucks Time On Ice: Dan Hamhuis-6:34; Daniel Sedin-6:27; Henrik Sedin- 7:18; Chris Tanev-7:50; Ben Hutton-8:02; Matt Bartkowski-8:05
• Teams Corsi For:
  • Even Strength: Vancouver-13; San Jose-14
  • All Strengths: Sharks-18; Canucks-19

End Of The Game:

• Vancouver finished with 26 shots, San Jose 34 shots, and Canucks won 29 of 64 face-offs.
• Vancouver had 17 hits to the Sharks 39 hits.
• Canucks penalty kill was 3 for 4; power play was 0 for 4.
• Vancouver Time On Ice: Ben Hutton-20:24; Dan Hamhuis-22:18; Matt Bartkowski-21:17; Chris Tanev-22:18
• Teams Corsi For:
  • Even Strength: Sharks-44; Canucks-38
  • All Strengths: San Jose-60; Vancouver-59
  • Top Canucks in game:
    • All Situations: Daniel Sedin +9; Alex Burrows +7; Henrik Sedin +6;Brendan Gaunce +5
    • Even Strength: Alex Burrows +6; Brendan Gaunce +5; Emerson Etem and Chris Higgins- +2 each

CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    MARCH 3, 2016

Canucks Drop Their Third Straight Game

The Vancouver Canucks (24-27-12) looked to pick up their first win of March, on the second visit by the San Jose Sharks (35-22-6) in five days, on Thursday night.

Vancouver could not find a way to win against division rival San Jose for the second time, after taking a one goal lead into the final period, this time losing 3-2 to San Jose, as the Sharks scored three unanswered goals, two in the 3rd, to pull out the win, and move further ahead of the Canucks for the final playoff spot in the Pacific division.

“Our 2nd period wasn’t great, game got away from us. San Jose came with a better effort in the 2nd and it made the difference” – Desjardins

Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter

Jake Virtanen with a goal and an assist; Sven Baertschi with a goal; Dan Hamhuis with two assists; Chris Tanev with a helper; and Ryan Miller stopped 27 of 30 shots, to lead the Canucks.

Markus Granlund, Daniel Sedin, Bo Horvat, Ben Hutton, and Alex Biega had good games in the loss.

“After their second goal, we stepped back. We didn’t start to play in the 3rd until they went up 3-2. We needed more” – H. Sedin

Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter

Penalty kill is 37 for 43 in last 14 games for 86.0 percent, 4th best in the NHL since January 25, after going 3 for 4 tonight.

Power play is 6 for 22 in last 9 games for 27.3 percent, 5th best in the NHL since February 12, after going 0 for 1 tonight.

Ryan Miller is 3-5-1 in his last 9 game starts, with a 2.35 GAA and .926 Sv%, after tonight’s game.

Jacob Markstrom is 6-4-1 in his last 11 game starts, with a 2.59 GAA and .914 Sv%,

The same two teams meet again in their next games in San Jose on Saturday night.

GAME REVIEW

The Canucks started the game taking the play to the Sharks, out shooting them 8-1 after a an unsuccessful power play opportunity when Michael Haley went off for hooking Bo Horvat at 4:59.

Vancouver would score 15-seconds after their power play when Jake Virtanen would put in his 6th goal, at 7:14, on a backhand shot, with assists from Dan Hamhuis (7) and Chris Tanev (12), to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 3: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks fires a shot at Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 3, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

With eight minutes left in the period, the Canucks led in shots 13-4 but were 4 for 13 on face-offs.

Dan Hamhuis would get a holding penalty with 4:55 left in the opening period, giving the Sharks their first power play of the game. Alex Burrows had a great shorthanded opportunity for the Canucks but hit the goal post, as Vancouver would kill the penalty.

Sven Baertschi would make it 2-0, as the line of Virtanen-Granlund and Baertschi, was all over the Sharks in their end.

It was Baertschi’s 13 goal, and 11th in the last 28 games, at 18:31, assisted by Dan Hamhuis (8) and Jake Virtanen (5).

Vancouver 2-0 after the opening frame.

After one period:

• Team Shots: Sharks-7    Canucks-15
• Team Face-offs: Sharks-11/16   Canucks-5/16
• Team Hits: Sharks-2     Canucks-5
• Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-3        Sharks-0
• Team Takeaways: Sharks-2     Canucks-4
• Team Giveaways: Sharks-2     Canucks-2
• Power Play: Sharks:  0/1     Canucks:  0/1
• Penalty Kill: Canucks:   1/ 1     Sharks:  1/1
• Canucks Individual Shots: D. Hamhuis-3
• Canucks Individual Hits: 1-by 6 Canucks
• Canucks Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin-3/5; B.Horvat-2/6
• Teams Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—Sharks-15    Canucks-16
  • All Strengths—Sharks-15    Canucks-20
• Canucks Individual Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—M.Granlund +6; D.Hamhuis +6; J. Virtanen +5; S.Baertschi +4
  • All Strengths—D.Hamhuis +7; M.Granlund +7; J. Virtanen +6; S.Baertschi +6
•  Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

Sharks came out motivated in the second period, building up a quick 4-0 lead in shots, and having most of the play in the Vancouver zone, within the first minute and a half.

The Canucks would finally turn the tables and get some time in the Sharks end, trying to go up by three goals in the game.

San Jose dominated the first five minutes, out shooting Vancouver 9-2 and winning 4 of 5 face-offs.

Derek Dorsett received a penalty for slashing Joe Thornton at 6:23, giving the Sharks the man advantage opportunity, their second of the game, but they could not score.

Nearing the ten minute mark, Sharks continued to out shoot the Canucks, 13-4, and won 5 of 9 face-offs.

San Jose would finally put one past Ryan Miller on a deflected shot at 10:29 but it would come under review for a possible high stick in front of the net. The goal would stand.

“That’s 100 per cent a high-stick on their first goal, I just watched the replay. Big game for us and they call that a goal” – Miller

Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter

Thomas Hertle, his 16 goal, assisted by Brent Burn (34) and Joe Thornton (46), cutting the Canucks lead to one goal at 2-1.

With 7:48 left in the period, Vancouver was finally dominating face-offs, with a 7-5 advantage but were still being out shot 14-4, as the Canucks were anything but overly physical at laying the body on the San Jose players in the Vancouver zone.

Derek Dorsett of the Canucks and Michael Haley of the Sharks would receive fighting majors at 13:02. It was the first fight between them in the NHL.

VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 3: Derek Dorsett #15 of the Vancouver Canucks and Micheal Haley #38 of the San Jose Sharks fight during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 3, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ben Hutton would go off for covering up the puck with 4:56 left in the period, the Sharks third power play of the game, second of the period, and they would be 0 for 3.

With under a minute left in the period, Daniel Sedin would get a penalty for high sticking at 19:03.

Canucks would end the period with a 2-1 lead.

After two periods:

• Team Shots: Sharks-23    Canucks-23
• Team Face-offs: Sharks-20/40   Canucks-20/40
• Team Hits: Sharks-9     Canucks-11
• Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-11     Sharks-6
• Team Takeaways: Sharks-4     Canucks-9
• Team Giveaways: Sharks-3     Canucks-5
• Power Play: Sharks: 0/4     Canucks: 0/1
• Penalty Kill: Canucks: 4/4      Sharks: 1/1
• Canucks Individual Shots: D.Sedin-4; D.Hamhuis-3; A.Biega-3
• Canucks Individual Hits: A.Biega-3; Daniel Sedin-2; L.Sbisa-2
• Canucks Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin: 9/13; B.Horvat: 8/15; M.Granlund-3/8
• Teams Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—Sharks-33    Canucks-30
  • All Strengths—Sharks-39    Canucks-35
• Canucks Individual Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—D. Hamhuis +7; M. Granlund +5; L.Sbisa +3
  • All Strengths—D.Hamhuis +5; L.Sbisa +5; M. Granlund +3; J.Virtanen +3
•  Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

The Canucks went into the final period with a one-goal lead, the same situation they had on Sunday night against this same team, when the Sharks would score four straight times, to pull out a victory.

How would it end in this game?

Brent Burns on the power play would even the game up at 2-2 for the Sharks, on their first shot of the period. His 22 goal of the season at 0:43, assisted by Thomas Hertl (19).

The Canucks would get caught up in the Sharks end, as Dan Hamhuis pinched in, and the Sharks broke out of their end to score to get their first lead of the game at 3-2.

Patrick Marleau, his 19th goal, at 5:29, assisted by Joonas Donskoi (18) and Logan Couture (17).

Can you say Déjà vu?

With 4:52 left, Sharks out shooting Canucks 6-4.

With time winding down, the Canucks and Sharks slowed the game up to unbearable proportions, unbelievable for the Canucks who should be motivated in front of their home fans to out work the Sharks.

With 2:21 left on the clock Ryan Miller was pulled for an extra attacker, in an attempt to get the tying goal.

Vancouver was unable to get sustained pressure in the San Jose zone, but with 66-seconds left, they would get a face-off in the Sharks end and take their time-out.

Daniel Sedin would get a glorious opportunity but was robbed by Martin Jones, and that would be as close as they would get.

Sharks winning 3-2, out scoring Vancouver 2-0 in the final period.

End of Game:

• Team Shots: Sharks-30    Canucks-30
• Team Face-offs: Sharks-30/60   Canucks-30/60
• Team Hits: Sharks-12     Canucks-14
• Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-21    Sharks-16
• Team Takeaways: Sharks-5     Canucks-9
• Team Giveaways: Sharks-3     Canucks-11
• Power Play: Sharks: 1/4     Canucks: 0 /1
• Penalty Kill: Canucks: 3/4      Sharks: 1/1
• Canucks Individual Shots: D.Sedin-5; D.Hamhuis-3; A.Biega-3; B.Gaunce; S.Baertschi-3
• Canucks Individual Hits: A.Biega-4; L.Sbisa-3
• Canucks Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin-12/18; B.Horvat-11/23; M.Granlund-6/14
• Teams Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—Sharks-52    Canucks-50
  • All Strengths—Sharks-61    Canucks-55
• Canucks Individual Corsi For:
  • EV 5v5—A.Burrows +4; L.Sbisa +4; D.Hamhuis +4; M. Granlund +3
  • All Strengths—L.Sbisa +6; D.Sedin +3; A.Burrows +2
•  Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks

2016-03-01
3–2
Final

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