Canucks Army Postgame: Who Needs 5-on-5?

Drawing conclusions from a pre-season game is already a fool’s errand. Trying to do so when so little of the game is at even strength makes it an especially impractical exercise.

Special teams accounted for over a third of tonight’s game. They ended up tipping the scales in Calgary’s favour, too. Vancouver put Calgary on the power play eight times, and they were able to capitalize twice — an ample amount to seal the deal for the host team. Tonight’s game wasn’t a particularly entertaining affair, but we’re gluttons for punishment at Canucks Army. Let’s dive in.

Guillaume Brisebois: 1G 

Markus Granlund: 1A 

Anton Rodin:1A 

There were a lot of familiar faces on the other side of the ice tonight. Hunter Shinkaruk only played one regular-season game as a Canuck, but it’s very strange seeing Chris Higgins’ in a Flames uniform, and equally odd to see former Canucks’ assistant Glen Gultuzan behind another bench. Not to be outdone, the Canucks made sure to dress Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund tonight, just to make sure we were all equally confused. 

Referees tend to be more strict in the preseason when it comes to calling penalties, but the fact that the Canucks took eight minor penalties tonight shouldn’t go unnoticed. The Canucks looked sloppy and undisciplined tonight, and it cost them on more than one occasion. When Erik Gudbranson put them behind the 8-ball early by taking a hooking penalty against Freddie Hamilton. It took the Flames less than 30 seconds to capitalize. Sam Bennet fed Troy Brouwer in the slot, who put it past Stephen King Richard Bachman to make it 1-0 Flames.

Brendan Gaunce has been the only Canucks forward to play in all three preseason games so far. You have to think management is taking a long look at him, and considering his ability to play centre and wing, he could be a shoo-in for the 13th forward slot. He wasn’t quite the force he’d been through the first two games tonight, but he still looked good, creating a couple of scoring chances, including a nice cross-ice feed to Jack Skille. 

The Canucks’ best line tonight was easily the trio of Baertschi, Granlund, and Rodin, who accounted for the lion’s share of the Canucks’ scoring chances. Granlund, in particular, looked good, hitting a post early on and setting up a nice goal from 19-year-old rearguard Guillaume Brisebois in the second period to tie the game at 1. Brisebois wasn’t particularly noticeable otherwise, but it’s always nice to see a prospect get in on the offence, especially when they’re more notable for their contributions on the defensive side of the puck. 

The game didn’t stay tied for long. The Canucks took yet another penalty, this time courtesy of Markus Granlund, and the Flames once again took advantage. Troy Brouwer was in on the offence again, taking a shot that bounced off Richard Bachman and Chris Tanev and directly onto the stick of Matthew Tkachuk, who tipped in the rebound to make it 2-1. 

That was pretty much it for the Canucks, who in spite of the score never really looked close to tying it up. Jack Skille and Joe LaBate provided some rough stuff if you’re into that, and the Canucks were able sustain pressure at the end of the game with the goalie pulled, but that’s pretty much it. Thatcher Demko came in for the third period and stopped all 11 shots he faced, but it wasn’t enough as the Flames held on to win the game 2-1. It wasn’t pretty, and the regular season can’t start soon enough, but hey, at least we got to see Ben Hutton pet his cat.