The Calgary Canucks finished November with a 7-3-0 record and currently sit first in the AJHL South as the calendar turns to December.
The Canucks have been playing great hockey at home, winning five of six games in the past month, including a four-game winning streak in mid-November.
Assistant Coach Garry VanHereweghe said the home crowds have energized the team and boosted their confidence.
Next up, the Canucks will travel for four games before returning home to host two games before the holiday break.
“We want to be on top of our game before we go home for Christmas,” said VanHereweghe. “We’ve got to fine-tune our game to the point where we’re going on all our cylinders. We don’t want to start to learn or develop opportunities after, It’s got to be before.”
Nolan DuPont, Nathan Maloney, and Jack Plandowski have been invited to the Selection Camp for Team Canada West at the 2024 World Junior A Hockey Challenge.
The final rosters will be announced on December 5, just before the tournament, which is scheduled for December 9 to 15 in Camrose, Alberta.
November Recap
November 1st at Camrose Kodiaks
The Canucks started the month of November with a trip to Camrose to face the Kodiaks. Calgary took an early lead, scoring twice in the first period with goals from Rhett Melnyk and Nathan Maloney, making it 2-0 as they headed into the second period. In the second period, Melnyk netted his second goal of the game on the power play, extending the lead to 3-0. However, the Kodiaks fought back, scoring two goals in just 1 minute and 7 seconds and then adding a third goal to tie the game midway through the third period. The Canucks responded by reclaiming the lead with a goal from David Byrne bringing the score to 4-3, but Camrose managed to tie it and send the game into overtime. After extra time, with neither team unable to score, this game would head to a shootout. The Canucks ultimately prevailed in a dramatic 12-round shootout, winning the game 5-4.
November 6th vs Fort McMurray Oil Barons
The Canucks returned home to begin a five-game homestand against the Oil Barons. Cody Pisarczyk kicked things off by scoring a goal just 2:16 into the game, but the Oil Barons quickly responded to tie it at 1-1. Later, Rhett Melnyk regained the lead for the Canucks, making it 2-1. However, Fort McMurray struck twice, including once on the power play, ending the first period with a score of 3-2. In the second period, Hayden Fechner tied the game for the Canucks, making it 3-3. With under five minutes left to play, the Oil Barons scored again and ultimately held on to win the game by a final score of 4-3.
November 9th vs Whitecourt Wolverines
Late in the opening period, the Canucks erupted, scoring three goals in just 82 seconds to take a 3-0 lead. Dylan Woulds started the scoring, followed by goals from Jack Plandowski and Matthew Paszkiewicz, giving the team a solid lead heading into the second period. The Wolverines scored their first goal midway through the second period. However, the Canucks responded by tightening their defence and adding two more goals in the final period. Plandowski scored his second goal of the game, followed by Cody Pisarczyk, leading the Canucks to a 5-1 victory.
November 10th vs Canmore Eagles
In the first game of a two-game series against the Eagles, Alexey Trischuk scored the opening goal in the first period. The Canucks scored two goals in the second period, with Nolan DuPont and Hayden Fechner each finding the net. Holding a 3-0 lead going into the third period, the Eagles managed to score once, but the Canucks tightened up to secure a 4-1 victory. Matthew Paszkiewicz scored Calgary’s final goal on a power play.
November 16th vs Canmore Eagles
In the second consecutive game against Canmore, the two teams battled through two periods without scoring. The Eagles struck first early in the third period, but the Canucks responded late in the game with a power-play goal from Nolan DuPont, which sent the game into overtime. Gavin Schmidt became the hero in extra time, securing a 2-1 victory for the Canucks.
November 17th vs Drumheller Dragons
Jack Plandowski kicked things off with his 15th goal of the season, giving the Canucks a 1-0 lead after the first period. In the second period, Nolan DuPont scored to put Calgary ahead 2-0. A wave of goals continued in the third period from Wade Wallace, Cody Pisarcyk, and Logan Murray, extending the Canucks win streak to four with a 5-0 victory. Lukas Renaud was outstanding in goal, stopping all 46 shots for his second shutout of the season.
November 22nd at Lloydminster Bobcats
After playing four home games, the Canucks headed out on a three-game road trip, starting with a stop in Lloydminster. Alexey Trischuk scored the only goal in the opening period, putting the Canucks up 1-0. However, the Bobcats responded in the second period with three goals. Hayden Fechner added another goal for the Canucks, making it a 3-2 game after two. Nolan DuPont tied the game at 3-3 with his tenth goal of the season, but the Bobcats quickly regained the lead just over a minute later. Calgary ultimately fell 6-3, as Lloydminster added two empty-net goals.
November 23rd at Bonnyville Pontiacs
Jack Plandowski opened the scoring in Bonnyville, followed by Jack Schierau, who made it 2-0 with his first AJHL goal. Later, the Pontiacs scored, but Gavin Schmidt responded, making it 3-1 after the first period. Riley Bracko and Cody Pisarczyk each picked up their fifth goal of the season, while the Ponticas scored once in between. The Canucks held a 5-2 lead after two periods and concluded the game with seven different goal-scorers. Alexey Trischuk and Rhett Melnyk each contributed a third-period goal in the 7-2 victory.
November 26th at Canmore Eagles – Banff, AB
A clash in Banff between the top two AJHL South Division teams was showcased at the Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre. The Eagles scored twice in the opening period, taking a 2-0 lead. Just eleven seconds into the second period, Hayden Fechner scored for the Canucks, bringing the score to 2-1. However, that was all the scoring for the game, as the Eagles secured a 2-1 victory.
November 30th vs Devon Xtreme
The Canucks concluded the month with a matchup against the Devon Xtream. In the first period, Jack Plandowski scored his 17th goal of the season, putting the Canucks on the board. David Byrne added another goal in the second period, extending the Canucks’ lead to 2-0. The Xtream narrowed the gap, making it a 2-1 game with 12:35 remaining. However, the Canucks held on to their lead and sealed the victory with an empty-net goal from Logan Murray, winning the game 3-1.
Player Spotlight – #29 Nolan DuPont
Canucks rookie Nolan DuPont has scored 10 goals and 19 assists in 25 games this season, the forward is third in the league and is second for rookies with 29 points.
“I’m doing pretty good. My lines doing well and powerplay has been pretty good, said DuPont. “I think I need to be better in my own zone, a little bit cleaner with my details, but so far, I’m happy.”
DuPont was named Rookie of the Week for November 18-24, 2024, after scoring his tenth goal of the season during a road game in Lloydminster, where he also added three assists in a 7-2 victory over the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
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Mackenzie Grafton
Lead, Marketing Content
Calgary Canucks Junior A Hockey Club
mgrafton@calgarycanucks.ca
