After dominating the River East Royal Knights in a 3-0 win, the Canucks looked to keep the momentum going when they entered a tough three game stretch against last year’s champions, followed by last year’s finalists and then the first place team in this year’s standings.
It started with a tough 2-1 loss to the Raiders Junior Hockey Club in a tight checking game on Oct. 6.
3:50 into the first period Blake Dasilva got the Raiders on the board which turned out to be the only goal in the period. Canucks’ defenceman Jeremy Idzikowski scored on the power play in the second to set up a tie game heading into the third period.
Unfortunately for the Canucks a late penalty cost them as the Raiders scored on the power play with less than three minutes left in regulation to take the 2-1 victory.
Justin Mackinnon and Kieran Ursel had assists on Idzikowski’s power play marker and Nathan Cvar was solid in net, stopping 22 of 24 shots directed his way. The loss dropped the Canucks record to 2-3-1.
Next up was a date with last year’s finalists, the Stonewall Jets on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The Canucks rode a solid defensive performance and good goaltending to a 3-2 victory over Stonewall at the St. James Civic Centre.
Chris Sass tallied for the Canucks in the opening period. It was his first of the year with assists by Wyatt Kemball and Josh Wilkinson. Stonewall tied it up on the power play at the 13 minute mark of the second but the Canucks regained the lead on a power play of their own just a few minutes later when Tyler Meixner buried a feed from Adam Thurlbeck. The Canucks lead 2-1 after 40 minutes.
In the third Kemball scored his 4th of the season just 5:19 in to extend the Canucks lead to 3-1. Stonewall would add one late but couldn’t get the equalizer as the Canucks came away with the 3-2 victory.
Cvar stopped 21 shots to pick up his third win of the season.
After that the Canucks hopped across the Moray Bridge to Eric Coy Arena to face the first place Charleswood Hawks, who had yet to lose a game in regulation, coming into the game with a record of 4-0-3.
Unfortunately for the Canucks, the Hawks would continue that streak with a 2-0 shutout win.
Riley Gilmore and Max Gardiner scored just a minute apart late in the second period and Ryan Hall turned aside all 31 shots the Canucks threw at him. It marked the first time the Canucks have been shutout this year.
Cvar took the tough luck loss in net despite stopping 25 of 26 shots that came his way. He was relieved by Tyler Weiss late in the second after an equipment malfunction. Weiss made 11 saves on 12 shots.
The loss dropped the Canucks record to 3-4-1.
Chalk Talk Three Stars:
3 – Jeremy Idzikowski: Idzikowski had a power play goal during this stretch of games and now has two goals and four points in eight games this season.
2 – Wyatt Kemball: The captain had a goal and an assist during these three games and is tied for the team lead in scoring with six points.
1 – Nathan Cvar: Despite going 1-2 in his past three starts, Cvar had a stellar .931 save percentage and a 1.91 goals against average. This season Cvar is 3-2-1 with .945 save percentage, a 1.75 goals against average and one shutout.
What’s Next?
The Canucks welcome the red-hot Transcona Railer Express to the St. James Civic Centre on Sunday, Oct. 15 for an afternoon match-up. After that they’ll hit the road to Morris to take on the Pembina Valley Twisters on Friday, Oct. 20.