Throwback Thursday: On this day in 1983, Rick Lanz led Vancouver Canucks beat LA Kings
By Zach Laing
4 years agoWelcome back to another edition of Throwback Thursday! In case you missed last week’s edition, we’re bringing back a much-beloved series across the Nation Network.
So, without further ado…
On this day in 1983, the @Vancouver Canucks relied on Rick Lanz en route to a 5-2 victory over the @Los Angeles Kings in a Smythe Division battle.
Now, the 21-year-old rearguard Lanz played a big part in the win for the Canucks largely in thanks to his a second-period goal that broke a 1-1 tie.
The goal was his fourth of the season, and Lanz later set up teammate Darcy Rota for his team-leading 27th tally of the year.
“Sure, I’m happy with my own performance, but more important is the win,” Lanz said. “I’m just happy to contributed to a victory after all the tough luck we’ve had this season.”
And Lanz didn’t just contribute on the scoresheet that night.
As penned by The Canadian Press, “Lanz also played a strong game defensively, especially when Vancouver killed off four penalties.”
The game had all the antics of a classic early 80’s game. Not only were there seven goals scored, there were also three fights — two of which saw Lanz’s defensive partner, Jiri Bubla, square up against a couple of Kings.
“Jiri is really asserting himself,” Lanz said about Bubla after his usually mild-mannered partner became involved in two fights. “The guys are finding out the Czechs are toughter than they appear.”
A great line by Lanz, who was born in Czechoslovakia before defecting to Canada with his family where he was raised. Lanz wasn’t the only Czech player on the team, as he had Bubla and Ivan Hlinka on the Canucks with him.
On Twitter: @zjlaing
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