Canucks Take Out the Oilers
Facing off against the Okotoks Oilers Wednesday night the Canucks were looking for the first win in the series after falling in the previous 4 match ups. Things started off in the Canucks favour as #9 Ben Assad put one in the net on the power play to take a 1-0 lead at 6:13 of the first period. Assists went to #13 Zach McNeill and #23 Mark Drohan. The Oilers responded as #9 Tanner Laderoute scored an unassisted marker at 13:58 to tie the game. At the end of the first period things were fairly even across the board. The game was tied at 1 and shots were 15-14 for the Canucks.
In the second the Canucks turned up the heat as #27 Jordan McConnell scored early in the period to take a 2-1 lead, with help from #23 Mark Drohan and #5 Coby Mack. After a quick goal, the Canucks continued to put the pressure on getting 20 shots on net in the period to have a 34-21 shot lead after 40 minutes of play, while also maintaining their 2-1 lead over the Oilers.
With the score being so close both teams hit the ice determined to finish with the lead. Midway through the period #21 Kyler Magus added one for the Canucks to extend their lead to 3-1. Assists on the play went to #9 Ben Assad and #2 Braxton Kane. To solidify their lead #7 Josh Gagne scored a power play marker to make it 4-1 Canucks, after a set up from #4 Allan MacPherson and #21 Kyler Magus. With time running out the Canucks took the game 4-1!
The star of the game for the Canucks was #9 Ben Assad.
Canucks Unable to Comeback Against the Bandits
Saturday night the Canucks travelled to Brooks for a match up against the Bandits. This is only the second meeting between the two teams this season and the Canucks were looking to make an impact against the top team in the South Division.
The Bandits opened the scoring in the first period as #20 Oliver Chau put one in the net 2:00 minutes in to the game. The Canucks battled hard killing off two penalties in the first period but were unable to get one on the board to even the score. After 20 minutes of play the Bandits were still leading 1-0 and were out shooting the Canucks 14-7.
In the second #10 Arnaud Vachon took advantage of a power play opportunity to make it 2-0 Bandits. Once again the Canucks pushed back against the Bandits but all attemps to score were foiled. After two periods the score was 2-0 Bandits.
To open the scoring in the third #9 Ben Assad scored an unassisted marker on the penalty kill to bring the Canucks within 1. Unfortunately the Bandits responded with a goal of their own at 3:21 to regain their two goal lead. The goal was scored by #12 Conner Jean. With the game coming to an end the Canucks were unable to complete the comeback.
With a shorthanded goal #9 Ben Assad was selected as the Canucks game star.
Canucks Take A Win In The Dragons Den
Sunday afternoon the Canucks made a visit to Drumheller for a meeting with the Dragons. The Canucks have faced the Dragons three times this season and have been able to come away with the win each time, so they were looking for a similar outcome in game four.
With the game underway the Dragons were first to strike as #39 Chad Hurtubise scored a shorthanded oal at 3:53 of the first period. Just 1 minute and 9 seconds later #22 Josh Giacomin tied up the game for the Canucks capitalizing on the power play. Assists on the goal go to #10 Sage Englund and #17 Cale Chalifoux. Before the period ended #25 Jordan Evans put one in the net on the power play to make it 2-1 Dragons. At the end of the period both teams had 8 shots on net.
Looking up to tie up the game in the second the Canucks came out to play. At 8:14 #18 Matt Painchaud evened it up for the Canucks with help from #27 Jordan McConnell and #4 Allan MacPherson. With just under 7 minutes remaining in the period #25 Braydon Jenkins shot one into the net after a set up from #19 Parker Ward to put the Canucks up 3-2. After 40 minutes of play the Canucks held on to the 3-2 lead and were outshooting the Dragons 19-16.
In the third both teams hit the ice looking for the win. With 1:10 remaining in the period #21 Kyler Magus scored on the breakaway to make it 4-2 Canucks. With time expiring in the third the Canucks took the game 4-2. Shots on net finished 25-23 in favour of the Dragons.
With an assist in the game #4 Allan MacPherson was named the game star for the Canucks.
Up next the Canucks are hosting the Brooks Bandits at Max Bell Centre on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 pm. Then the Canucks hit the road for back to back games. Friday, the Canucks are back in Drumheller to face off against the Dragons at 7:30 pm, then head out to Canmore for a clash against the Eagles at 7:00 pm.
Go Canucks Go!