The Canucks beat the Flames in a shootout Wednesday night, less than 24 hours after losing to Montreal at home. Tired legs be damned, the boys knew they needed two points. The Canucks finally won a game while trailing heading into the third, being 0-19-4 before last night… they’re now a balmy 1-19-4. If you missed the game, here are the highlights:
The Canucks would have liked to win it in regulation, but two points is two points right now. Big nights from Petey, Hughes, and Lankinen led the way.
“It’s huge for our group,” said Pettersson. “The battle and effort to come back is good. We can build on this. I’m just trying to be the best player I can and I’m very happy with the win. Our captain just showed what kind of player he is and what a motor he has.”
“I’m really happy for him,” said Hughes of Petey. “He took a lot of crap this year and we obviously need him. He showed up today and brought his ‘A’ game and we’re going to need him to continue to do it. I’m obviously proud of him.
“He’s a competitive guy, too, and you don’t get to the level that he has got to without having that inner jam and desire. It’s been a hard little run for him but he’s a great player and he’s going to be just fine. You saw it out there.”
Tocc was happy with the win.
“I’m most proud in that we went down to five defencemen early in the game and that’s hard to do with penalties and stuff,” said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. “We had a good third and were the only team to not come back and Hughes made a world of difference for us.
“He hasn’t had a full practice. He has been out long and I don’t know if a lot of guys can do that and then go into a game and have an impact. I’m lucky to have him. And Pettersson is stringing some good games together. He’s got more and he’ll do more work.”
"I haven't really felt great over the past month but I'm really thankful for the medical group we have,” said Hughes. "I'm sure they're sick and tired of me, but it's really fun to get back and as the next couple games come down start to get my legs and condition and hands and stuff where I'm feeling like I did before I left."
Petey feels like he’s finding his footing. This quote from Tocc was nice to see his head space too: “He's getting his game together. I shook his hand there, you know, 'Good game.' But it was like, 'Hey, I've got more to go.’ I like that.”
The Canucks are back home to play the Blackhawks on Saturday. One thing to watch is the health of the defensemen. DPetey left the game after a brutal headshot, Myers didn’t play due to injury, and Forbort looked shaken after taking a puck to the hand in the game. Willander can’t wrap his season up soon enough.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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