Canucks defeat the Calgary Mustangs 5-1
Thursday night the Canucks travelled across town to take on the Calgary Mustangs. After winning the last 4 games against the Mustangs the Canucks were looking to repeat in their first game of 2017.
After a relatively quiet first period #12 Andrew Marshall put one in the net on the power play with help from #22 Josh Giacomin to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead with just 10 seconds remaining in the first period. Shots at the end of the period were 17-6 in favour of the Canucks.
Capitalizing on the power play early in the second period #28 Brett Van Os made it 2-0 for the Canucks after being set up on the play by #18 Matt Painchaud and #9 Ben Assad. At 12:08 Canucks captain #9 Ben Assad extended the Canucks lead once again to make it 3-0. Assists on the goal went to #16 Brayden Brown and #22 Josh Giacomin. After 40 minutes of play the Canucks were able to maintain their 3-0 lead and were dominating the shots 40-17.
4:48 into the third period #13 Connor Blake added another for the Canucks with help from #21 Kyler Magus and #5 Coby Mack. The Mustangs pushed back scoring their first of the night at 8:16 of the third from #2 Nathan Walker. The Canucks bounced back to keep their 4 goal lead as #18 Matt Painchaud put one in the back of the net from #9 Ben Assad and #28 Brett Van Os. Shots at the end of the game were 52-30 for the Canucks.
Canucks take down the Grizzlys
Saturday evening the Canucks hosted the Olds Grizzlys. This is the fifth time the Canucks have faced off against the Grizzlys this season and the Canucks are leading the series 3-1.
#12 Andrew Marshall kicked off the scoring for the Canucks at 7:05 in the first with help from Canucks defensemen #23 Mark Drohan and #5 Coby Mack. Late in the period #22 Tyr Thomson tied the game up for the Grizzlys after being set up by #19 Ryley Smith and #7 Chase Olsen. After 20 minutes of play the game was tied 1-1 with the Grizzlys leading the Canucks in shots 11-5.
In the second period the Canucks began to dominate on the ice. 3:34 into the second #9 Ben Assad put one in the back of the net from #18 Matt Painchaud and #23 Mark Drohan to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead. Almost midway through the period #5 Coby Mack shot one into the net from the blue line extending the Canucks lead to 3-1. Almost 5 minutes later #8 Dylan William scored a beautiful one timer after being set up from #6 Scott Nicholson and #27 Jordan McConnell. At the end of the period the Canucks had a 4-1 lead. Shots on net were 27-16 in favour of the Canucks.
In the third the Canucks were looking to hold off the Grizzlys. At 3:38 #9 Ben Assad put one in the back of the net to make it 5-1. Assists came from #18 Matt Painchaud and #28 Brett Van Os. The Canucks ended up taking the game 5-1! Shots at the end of the game were 33-21 for the Canucks.
With 2 goals Canucks captain #9 Ben Assad was named the star of the game.
Canucks shut down the Dragons
Sunday afternoon the Drumheller Dragons were in town to take on the Canucks. This is the third meeting between the two teams this season and the Canucks were leading the series 2-0.
In a back and forth first period neither team was able to put one up on the board. Shots at the end of the period were 9-7 for the Canucks.
In the second the Canucks were looking to break away. At 6:11 #23 Mark Drohan capitalized on the power play to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead. Assists on the play went to #8 Dylan Williamson and #17 Cale Chalifoux. On the power play once again #12 Andrew Marshall tipped one into the net with help from #17 Cale Chalifoux and #16 Brayden Brown. With just under 5 minutes remaining in the the period #28 Brett Van Os made it 3-0 for the Canucks after being set up by linemates #18 Matt Painchaud and #9 Ben Assad. After two periods of play shots on net were 29-8.
In the third the Canucks made another dent on the board as #25 Braydon Jenkins put one in the net from #21 Kyler Magus and #5 Coby Mack. At 14:51 #27 Jordan McConnell took advantage of another power play opportunity to give the Canucks a 5-0 lead with the assist going to #22 Josh Giacomin. Fending off the Dragons the Canucks held onto their 5-0 lead to take the game. Shots at the end of the game were 42-15.
With the shutout the game star was given to #30 Logan Drackett.
Up next, the Canucks are heading north to take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Friday before a battle against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Saturday. The Canucks then return home on Wednesday, January 18th when they will face off against the Okotoks Oilers.
Go Canucks Go!