On the night that see’s Roberto Luongo grab a 3-0 shut-out over the Wild he also was playing in his 700th career game, which is something all hockey fans should be proud of.
Sure he played some of the games elsewhere, but he’s in Vancouver now and for us (in the area) to watch him play is something that might not happen for years to come.
In addition to this, the opening face-off was handled by the “Man In Motion”, Rick Hansen himself.
This alone is worth the price of admission as he is truly an ambassador for everyone – world wide!!
The Canucks not only played a team that could have taken over first place in the division, but failed to show up to earn the right to hold that title.
Prior to last week the Wild held that spot, but recently have dropped off the radar somewhat. They are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games, which is a different team considering they were on a 7-game winning streak.
The Canucks have won 2 of 3 previous meetings, including a 4-0 shutout prior to Christmas. Luongo stopped all 33 shots on that night.
Following this win the Canucks travel to Boston to take on the team that took “Lord Stanley’s Cup” away from them in the spring. This game is a 10 AM start in BC, so don’t sleep in!
Giants Action
In a game played in the previous home of the Canucks, the Coliseum played host to the Vancouver Giants and the Calgary Hitmen, who have been unable to see any of the World Junior Games in their home arena.
The Giants went down to defeat by a margin of 6-4 to the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night in front of just over 4,000 fans.
Jordan Martinook scored a pair of goals in the loss. This saw them finish with a win/loss record of 5-4-0-0 under interim head coach Glen Hanlon.
The Giants got off to a great start 39 seconds in as Jordan Martinook scored his 23rd put the home side up 1-0.
They continued their control over the Hitmen, converting a PP goal just over 7 minutes later. Manning got his 5th goal of the season, but would see the Hitmen reply with a pair of goals before the period was out tying the score at 2 after 20 minutes of play.
Calgary managed their first lead of the game early in the second putting them up 3-2. Giants responded thanks to Brodyn Nielsen seeing him grab his 1st career WHL goal – again tying the game at 3-3 through 40 minutes.
The Hitmen came out firing in the third outshooting the Giants 11-0 in the first 10 minutes of the period. It took a while but eventually Calgary beat “tender” Adam Morrison to take a 4-3 lead with a short 6:33 left.
The Giants never quit as Martinook managed to score his 2nd of the game and 24th goal of the season, tying the game at 4-4 – again.
A short 1:05 later Clayton of the Hitmen got behind everyone and put the puck over a sprawling Morrison giving the Hitmen a 5-4 lead.
They managed to get empty netter making the final score 6-4 for the visiting Hitmen.
The Giants finished 1-5 while on the PP, while the Hitmen went 1-3 in special teams on the PP.
The Giants host to the Portland January 7th in the 2nd Giants Legend’s night featuring Montreal great Guy Lafleur.
Following the game100 lucky fans will get to meet the Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer, while the first 5,000 fans through the door will receive a commemorative poster.
Indeed a win-win for everyone!
