Canucks Army Postgame: Secondary Assist Wizard Luca Sbisa

Tonight, I did something special. 

That’s right, fans of the Army! I got to witness Luca Sbisa earning himself two primary assists from just a few rows above ice level in Glendale, Arizona. 

What a time to be alive, my friends. 

I wrote last night’s recap as well, so I won’t give you guys too much of a tongue-lashing for the fact that Vancouver almost saw yet another game go into overtime that once boasted a pretty cushy lead. Instead, let’s focus on the ups (and downs) of this particular game itself. 

Remember last night, when I said that Brendan Gaunce was kind of slow (but built up slowly to be very powerful by the time he hit the other net)?

Yeah. Tonight, he kicked it into another gear. He was aggressive on the forecheck, and had a nasty open-ice hit that reminded me of Nazem Kadri when he’s playing a clean game. If Vancouver can harness Gaunce’s tenacity – and get him to lay a few more of those filthy checks – he thinks the game well enough that he could be pretty useful down the line. 

Oh, and he also did this: 

There was a lot about Arizona’s goaltending early on that I don’t want to talk about, because it was pretty gross. Mike Smith wasn’t reading anything (for the two point five seconds his crazy butt was on the ice) and Anders Lindback probably could have saved that Gaunce goal. Whatever, though; it got the rookie his first NHL goal. It was awesome. 

Sbisa had two secondary assists to start out the game, which resulted in me tweeting this: 

Then, because everything I endorse crumbles and turns to dust, he turned back into regular Sbisa for the rest of the game. Word has it he smashed his stick upon entering the locker room tonight; he knows his game could have been better. 

Across the ice, Richard Bachman (whom I shamelessly endorse more than I have any right to) played a decent game. I like that he’s a calm netminder, which is a refreshing change from watching Ryan Miller. He’s not very good at squaring himself to the play, but he got the job done. 

Arizona kind of pulled ahead more than before towards the end of the game (once again proving that Vancouver hates protecting a lead), but they honestly put up the better numbers all game.

Honestly, the Coyotes have been a fun team to watch this year – and they stayed with it against Vancouver for the entirety of the game that didn’t involve Mike Smith. 

Tobias Rieder and Max Domi were expected goal scorers; both were due for a tally, and they delivered in fashion. Rieder burst onto the scene last year as a 13 goal rookie for Arizona’s garbage offense, but even more so as one of the league’s best young two-way talents. He’s been great for the team on the penalty kill, while Domi and Duclair – who failed to record a goal, but danced circles around everyone on the ice – have more than a few fancy tricks to offer. 

On the Canucks side, though, Guance and Hutton were great. Gaunce really looked comfortable out there, and did I mention that Ben Hutton is the real deal? Hutton Hutton Hutton. I love Ben Hutton. 

Now that this game is behind them, Vancouver can focus on solidifying their dominance in the absolute trash heap that is currently the Pacific Division. Jared McCann can keep being underrated but incredible, Radim Vrbata can continue being my favorite member of the Canucks, and hopefully Jacob Markstrom will be back soon.