The Canucks were in Abbotsford tonight to sign autographs and play the Senators in their 6th preseason game, which saw locals leave happy following an offensive showcase resulting in a Canucks 6-4 win. Ownership was also reported to be in the house to take in the game and potentially view the arena, location and chat with fans about Abbotsford being home for a minor league team.
The Canucks lineup for this one featured familiar pairings in Horvat – Miller, Pettersson – Boeser, Edler – Myers, and Benn – Stecher, while Markstrom got the start. Virtanen got the start on the fourth line while Pearson got a shot with Horvat and Miller.
Lines for the #Canucks in warmup at @AbbyCentre:
Pearson-Horvat(A)-Miller
Baertschi-Pettersson-Boeser
Eriksson-Sutter(A)-Leivo
Schaller-Beagle-VirtanenEdler(A)-Myers
Benn-Stecher
Fantenberg-Biega🥅 Markstrom
7pm puck drop on @Sportsnet650 pic.twitter.com/R2vUFG1UhU
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) September 24, 2019
The Senators sent a lineup littered with forwards who are battling to make impressions and a D corps that is close to what Ottawa will ice for the season opener. Nilsson got the start and played the full 60.
Lines from the Senators game day skate at UBC.
Balcers-Tierney-Ryan
Paul-L.Brown-Batherson
Ennis-Anisimov-Duclair
Kelly-Szwarz-SabourinChabot-Zaitsev
Borowiecki-Jaros
Brannstrom-DeMeloNilsson
Hogberg— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) September 23, 2019
Highlights
Great forecheck by #Sens prospect Rudolf Balcers. He steps into his man and separates the puck. It's picked up behind the net and sent out front and Bobby Ryan buries it!
This is the kind of thing that Balcers will have to do to earn consistent playing time at the NHL level. pic.twitter.com/WgfsRorzhS
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) September 24, 2019
The #Canucks go to the power play following a 5-minute major, and Brock Boeser banks a shot in off of J.T. Miller to get Vancouver on the board. pic.twitter.com/eQ2CE9ZO8S
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) September 24, 2019
Make that 2-1 #Canucks! Shots are 14-4 Vancouver as Edler finds twine on the power play. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/1KwwNH1HU1
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 24, 2019
The #Canucks onslaught of goals continues, as Alexander Edler sneaks the point shot past former teammate and current Ottawa Senators netminder, Anders Nilsson.
It's 3-1 now for the Canucks. pic.twitter.com/4lOioMzcqE
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) September 24, 2019
J.T Miller giveth; J.T. Miller taketh. Miller struggles to corral the puck, and Artem Anisimov takes it off his hands and sends a backhand past Jacob Markstrom.
The #Canucks lead the #Sens 3-2. pic.twitter.com/dQvTiPM4kP
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) September 24, 2019
Looks like #ThePetterZone is back on the menu, boys! pic.twitter.com/3iWNjkhKv7
— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis) September 24, 2019
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 24, 2019
Now THAT'S how you end a period. 🔥#Canucks up 5-3 after 2. pic.twitter.com/jo28mjyPWu
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 24, 2019
Bowie's turn! Back and forth game has the #Canucks up 6-4 with 12 to play in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/0RW85qQTUv
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 24, 2019
Game Notes
- Powerplays in the first period looked energized and weren’t shy about shooting. Zone entries were clean and puck movement got better as the powerplays went on. It was odd seeing Horvat on the 2nd unit although he had good entries for that unit. Edler was the point man on the first unit as Hughes didn’t play, FWIW.
- The Canucks were quickly down to five defencemen as Fantenberg was hit by Szwarz from behind and immediately went to the room and never returned. Fantenberg hadn’t been very noticeable this preseason but came out playing well in his first few shifts, registering a couple shots.
- The first two Senator goals came off turnovers from Myers and Miller, but they weren’t the only two a bit sloppy with the puck tonight.
- Powerplays breathed life into the Canucks in the first and a little bit in the second as well, although the Sens controlled the majority of play in the middle frame.
- The Canucks played better in the third, but neither team really took control at 5 on 5.
- The Canucks finished the game 4/9 on the powerplay.
- As one of the Canucks in the lineup fighting for a spot in the lineup, Schaller was nearly invisible all night.
Top Performers
- Miller had a great net-front presence on the powerplay and came away with two powerplay goals.
- Pettersson wired home a one-timer from his spot on and added three assists, all on the powerplay.
- Benn had his best preseason game, taking advantage of his breakaway. He was also responsible with the pick in his own and maintained great gaps.
- Edler got on scoresheet three times with a goal and two assists.