It didn’t look like the Nucks were playing the 28th team in the league at the start. Or the middle. The conservation of hockey shooting strategy, was believed to have peaked in the last game. We’re so fast to jump on beliefs.

Tonight’s This afternoon’s game revealed another step on the slacker staircase. I’m going to go out on a lunch branch and say it’s not a trend, it’s a timing thing. This game was right in the Wings wheelhouse of late afternoon hockey. For the Nucks, it was a game too soon.

Not too soon for Pete. And not too soon for us to have Pete back in our happy place.

1st Period

Let’s just skip over the luxurious ROG visiting Wings ice advantage, who were shooting up the place 6-0 at 6 minutes in.

The polite ROG hosts waited until 12 minutes in to put a shot on the Wings goalie, whose name I forget, because we didn’t see him for so long.

The second shot on net tho... was very Petey. A sweet tip from a Brock shot. And it’s a GOAL!

Boom! Welcome back, Pete!

Tough to see Petey's tip, can we see another angle?



pic.twitter.com/ykAELrRLje — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 20, 2019

Just like that - with permission granted from the Nucks Shot Conservation Committee, the Nucks took some more shots on goal. Until the shot count ended almost even. Almost. It was 11-9 for the Wings.

But who cares? Not me. We’re winning 1-0 and Pete is neat.

2nd Period

This period wasn’t the best Nucks period. But those of us for an eye on the dramatic symmetric foreshadowing thing would not be worried.

Those of us watching the game would be.

Our former Vanek appeared to have completely disavowed his NucksNation vows. First he assists on the first Detroit goal to tie it.

And second, more disturbing, he scores the next Wings goal for the lead of the game.

Pretty? Weird how opposing team’s twits can be so biased. Pete’s goal - now that was pretty.

While we won the Vanek trade, as K2 noted in the game thread, still feel there should have been some sort of non-compete clause in Vanek’s trade deal.

As the league, all the GMs, teams and most all fans ignore my wants, there’s nothing to be done, but wait for the dramatic symmetric foreshadow to see the light of day. It is an afternoon game after all.

On the positive side, the refs did give the Nucks a ceremonial powerplay, which was killed off by the Wings unceremoniously.

Shots looked even(ish), but again the Wings out shooted us 13-9. And worse out scored us 2-0.

3rd Period

It’s official. The Nucks GA 3rd period stat is streaking downward. 3rd straight game where the Canucks haven’t allowed a 3rd period goal against. That’s a nice trend.

Even better trend, having rested up between the last game and first two periods, the Canucks are ready to play the full 90 seconds. Possibly more.

Just over 7 minutes in and Pete takes one for the team, so Bo can take out his 11 game goal drought and drown it in a net of relief.

Off the draw, Pete blocks some friendly-fire. In the ensuing chaos, Bo sweeps around and sweeps the puck past the startled Wings goalie. His name is... Bernie. Or Bernier. Whatever.

Pete gets the well-earned dented apple. As does Brock.

Game is tied. We have a chance. At a point. Or more.

The Wings get another (futile) power play. As it ends, Roussel exits the sinbin, not for the first time. Gets a breakaway and shoots and scores. A direct hit on Bernier’s crest.

More foreshadowing.

For just a few minutes later, an unobstructed Virt fires a long shot and... uh-huh, Roussel tips it. For the Game Winning Goal!

Another 90 seconds of hard work and good things happen again.

As with the Sabres, the Nucks just have to keep the game on ice and cruise the lead over to tea time.

Yes, in the Nucks end, there was a little frantic panic during the last two minutes, but that was just for dramatic effect. When Detroit had emptied their net it looked like Bo had a sure goal. But Bo couldn’t make it go. One drought ends another begins. Or not.

We’re hoping Bo’s goal is to keep scoring goals, if not in every game, then every second game. Or every game. Let’s not set artificial limits.

Instead, let’s just watch this.

Two game win streak at home. I’d call it 2.5 because of the 1 point almost win last week, that we won, except for the silly SO part.

Stats

SOG FO% PP PIM HITS BLKS GVA Red Wings DET 37 45% 0/3 4 19 9 4 Canucks VAN 31 55% 0/2 6 20 15 6





Statty Nucks

Marky was superb. .946 SV% superb. According to some or one in the gamethread, Marky was deserving of a star. The broadcasters didn’t give him one. But we can.

Let’s hear from the game’s official designated first star from his puck absorbing lip. Ouch!

"It's funny how it works. You get all these grade-A chances and that one goes in but definitely happy to get that for sure." - @BoHorvat after bumping his scoring slump. pic.twitter.com/Hqh93RgqpG — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 21, 2019

Here’s more fun to watch - Pete’s 2 point media scrum return.

.@_EPettersson talks about his return to the lineup and his 2-point performance against the Red Wings. pic.twitter.com/2nMaBQwWIx — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 21, 2019

Over in the Green room, we love the third.

Hear from Coach Green after the Canucks defeat the Red Wings, live from @RogersArena. https://t.co/KJBBPfBDVG — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 21, 2019

What did we learn, what did we earn?

We learned that it’s fun watching Pete play again. And possibly having too much practice and rest tires the skating legs and hurts the passing.

We earned or re-earned the top spot again. The top of the 2nd wild seed in the west.

We’re going to the dance! Again. If the dance was tomorrow. But the league have postponed it. Again. Make us wait until late spring for the inevitable. Disappointing.

Oh well. We can wait at least until next week to start the Cup run. The All Star Cup run.

Before we send Pete to San Jose to collect more fans and a car, there’s one more home game to play. Wednesday we welcome Carolina to the ROG to have a good start and terrible finish thanks to Bo’s hattie. He’s due.

Enjoy the glow of 2nd seediness for a day or so and then get ready for a wild winning Wednesday.