It’s not often a team gets a chance to avenge a gut-wrenching preseason loss just one day later (ok it has happened like 15 times this week, but stay with me). Still the Canucks can consider themselves lucky that they got the opportunity to do so. And they lost! Vengeance thwarted! In overtime no less!
Read past the jump for highlights and more from Vancouver’s fourth game of the 2015 NHL preseason!
(Courtesy: Sportsnet)
The Canucks lost 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, although overtime would’ve happened anyway even if the game hadn’t ended in a tie. In some ways the Canucks blew another late lead to the Calgary Flames, since an Alex Friesen goal put the Canucks up late, but the Flames wouldn’t give up forcing overtime, and a Josh Jooris goal ended it in Vancouver.
Canucks prospect Jared McCann continued his strong preseason performance and proved to be the star of the night with his two points. McCann seemed to make an impact every time he was on the ice, consistently moving the momentum in the Canucks favour. He has to making a strong push and impressing Vancouver’s front office, as he vies for the fourth-line centreman slot on the Canucks’ depth chart.
Meanwhile a beautiful McCann-Horvat goal provided Vancouver hockey fans with a quick, fantastic glimpse into a less-bleak future for their hockey team. Actually it was a night for the future of the team, and though to some the next few years look grim, an exciting team is better than nothing. And with this youth movement, and the opportunities opened up, we could at least be in for a thrilling year (mistakes and all).
Continuing to rif on this theme, Brendan Gaunce showed again that he is versatile and could prove to be a viable weapon for the team, even if he ends up starting the year in Utica. He was written off by many going into this training camp, due mostly to his inability to stand out in past camps. Gaunce could see himself being a mid-season injury call-up if he keeps this up, though hell, if he keeps this up he may just make the team!
Another player who has shown well this preseason, and did so again tonight, is Ben Hutton. Relatively under the radar coming into camp, Hutton has proven his experience in the NCAA may transfer into the NHL game. He was powerful on the puck tonight, and showed he wasn’t afraid to jump up in the rush if need be. He notched a pair of assists and was a noticeable presence on the ice in this one. 
While Hutton is likely to begin the season in Utica, the 2016-17 season could prove to be a breakout year for the young d-man. 
Ryan Miller, played the entire game and managed not to get booed — which he can take home as a personal accomplishment — but let in four goals across the board, and not pretty ones either. 
(Courtesy: Sportsnet)
Miller had some good moments too though:
(Courtesy: Sportsnet)
You can next see a Vancouver Canucks preseason game on Monday night at 7pm PST, when the Canucks take on the prospect-filled Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Arena.