Week In Review – February 16th

The Canucks went into this weekend trying to close the distance on the Vics who had a 3 point advantage in the race for 4th place. That is what would make the game on Thursday night so important as the Nuckers took on the Vics at the St. Vital Arena. The
game had a playoff type feel and rookie netminder Tyler Wiess would get the start. The first period would start off with the Vics controlling the play, and Wiess making some solid saves to keep the game scoreless. With about 3 minutes remaining, Meixner
put home his 8th of the season to get the Canucks out to a lead that would not last long. The Vics tied it up with a minute and a half remaining before taking the lead with just 3 seconds left in the 1st period. The Nuckers responded in a big way in the
2nd as Meixner scored his second of the game and Captain Tyler Arnason scored his 18th of the season which would prove to be the eventual game winner. Wiess shut the door the rest of the way saving 19 conscutive shots. The Canucks hung on to a 3-2 win
and move within 1 point of the Vics. The Canucks finished by winning the season series against the Vics 4-1.

The Canucks were back at it Friday evening at the Century arena vs the last place Twins. The Canucks have not played particularly well at the Century this season, but were looking at continuing their quest at catching 4th place and maybe even 3rd. The
Nuckers came out firing in the first with 22 shots but only Lockhart could manage to put one in (his 24th) so the Canucks ended up trailing 2-1 after 1. In the 2nd period the Canucks regained the lead as Nick Stire tied it with his 21st of the season and
Idzikowski with a point shot (his 3rd) gave the Nucks a brief lead. The Twins came back less then 4 minutes later tieing the game and then scoring the eventual game winner. The Canucks tank looked empty in the third and the Twins hung on to defeat the
Canucks 4-3. With the loss, the Canucks still take the season series but by only a narrow 3-2 margin.

It was a tough loss after such a huge win on Thursday but it is a firm reminder of the way you have to come to play every night min the MMJHL. The Nuckers have always responded well after some adversity and they will have a whole week to stew on that
loss before they travel to the Seven Oaks Sportsplex on Friday to take on the Raiders for what should be a highly entertaining hockey game. This will be the last of 4 consecutive road games for the Canucks in which they have gone 2-1 in that span. 4 of
the remaining 6 games left on the schedule will be at home for the Canucks.