On Monday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by Abbotsford Canucks play-by-play commentator Brandon Astle to discuss the team’s journey to the Calder Cup Final, their impressive turnaround, and what to expect as the series heads back to B.C. tied 1-1.
Astle said the team’s vibe hasn’t wavered throughout the playoff run, regardless of results.
“The vibes have been extremely high throughout the entire playoffs. You wouldn’t know if they won or lost the night before,” Astle said. “I was on the bus and the guys were talking about random, everyday things which is fun to be around and take in. It’s a loose and energetic group.”
That positivity has helped them power through a grueling travel schedule, including the cross-continental trek to Charlotte and now back home for Game 3. “Charlotte is getting a taste of that too as they pull into Abbotsford today as well. In about 25 hours this place will be packed and ready to go for Game 3.”
Astle highlighted how tight-knit the group has been on and off the ice. “They go out together on the road all the time to dinner or trying to stay busy on an off-day. Everyone gets included in everything- there isn’t really any cliques like some teams have. And obviously, everybody is bought in to what the coaching staff has been preaching.”
He gave high praise to Manny Malhotra for helping establish that buy-in.
“He connects with his players, always talks to them like regular human beings rather than as a coach,” said Astle. “He knows all the partners’ and pets’ names and stuff like that. It’s the same deal with Ryan Johnson… Manny obviously is a high-level athlete and his son Caleb is playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs. He can connect with that younger generation who are on their phones a whole lot, so Manny knows what to expect from some of their prospects like Kudryavtsev and Lekkerimäki.”
One of the most bizarre moments of the playoffs came in Game Two, when Charlotte seemingly scored the game winner in double OT, only for the goal to be called back due to a botched faceoff.
“I was in disbelief,” Astle said. “Initially I thought the game was over. You see the Checkers celebrate and the Canucks looking around- Silovs like, ‘what just happened?’ He was getting a drink of water and next thing you know the Checkers are celebrating.”
Once officials conferred, it became clear the goal would not stand.
“At the end of the day, they did make the right call. It’s the referee’s job to make sure everybody is ready before he drops the puck,” he said. “There was a ref right to the left of Silovs who didn’t know what was going on, and the ref at the blue line who still had his hand up when the puck was in the back of the net. There was a couple people at fault, but at the end of the day they got it right.”
As the series shifts to Abbotsford, Astle broke down what’s stood out so far- and what’s needed moving forward.
“From a Canucks standpoint, a lot of resiliency. Obviously people want to look at the shot totals. Silovs has faced 96 shots over two games, which is a very high number the Canucks would love to cut down on,” he said. “But Charlotte is a very high-volume shooting team. Give them credit; you have to have the puck to get that many shots on net. They’re looking to test the goaltenders as much as possible, get bodies to the net.”
Despite that, the Canucks come home with momentum and home-ice advantage.
“At the end of the day, the Canucks are coming home with home ice advantage in a 1-1 series,” said Astle. “If they play like they did in the third period of Game 2, I like their chances, especially in a different environment. The ice in Charlotte was terrible.”
With Game 3 looming in Abbotsford, Astle said the energy and excitement are already building.
“It’s been an interesting series. It’s been tied for a lot of these two games, and we’ll see what adjustments are made when the series shifts to Abbotsford tomorrow.”
You can watch the full replay of the show below:
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