The Canucks’ start to the new year didn’t go as planned after they dropped two of their first three games.
They looked to get back on track during a tough stretch of three games in three days.
The first of those three games took place in St. Vital on Thursday, Jan. 17.
Despite a solid first two periods, the Canucks fell 7-6 in overtime. Dylan Burton (1G 2A), John McCammon (3A), Cole Chicoine (2G), Tristan Ezako (2G) and Jeremy Idzikowski (2A) led the way offensively for the Canucks, putting up multi-point games. Newcomer Curtis Rebeck scored his first goal with the Canucks and Kieran Ursel, Adam Thurlbeck and Chris Sass added assists.
The loss earned the Canucks a point but dropped their record to 20-7-3.
The next night the Canucks opened the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League Showcase at Bell MTS Iceplex. Their first game was against the Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins.
Despite surrendering the tying goal late in the game, the Canucks were able to bounce back and win in a shootout. John McCammon scored the shootout winner and Tyler Wiess was stellar in net, stopping 34 of the 37 shots that came his way in regulation and overtime, as well as all three shooters for the Twins in the shootout.
Wyatt Kemball, Preston Phillips and Rebeck scored for the Canucks, while Sass, Ursel, Tyler Meixner, Kole Stockham and Craig Wiess recorded assists.
The Canucks wrapped up showcase weekend with a game against the Stonewall Jets on Saturday, Jan. 19.
Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be for the Canucks that night, as a late goal gave the Jets a 3-2 victory.
McCammon and Ursel tallied for the Canucks, with Idzikowski, Ezako, Cam Danylchuk and Jarret Neudorf getting the assists on the goals.
Wiess stopped 28 shots and took the tough luck loss in net.
After this three game stretch, the Canucks sit third in the MMJHL standings with a 21-8-3 record. They are three points ahead of the fourth place St. Vital Victorias and two points back of the second place Raiders Junior Hockey Club.
Chalk Talk Three Stars:
3 – Jeremy Idzikowski – Idzikowski had three assists during this three game segment and is up to 29 points (5G 24A) in 32 games this season, which is good enough for second among defencemen in league scoring.
2 – Tyler Wiess – Wiess was solid in his two starts, and made some very big saves against both the Twins and Jets. Over his past two starts, he has a .911 save percentage. On the season he is 10-4-2 with a .911 save percentage and two shutouts.
1 – John McCammon – McCammon put up a goal and three assists during this stretch and has continued to put up the points for the Canucks. He is now up to 16 goals and 31 points on the season and over his past 12 games he has 16 points (8G 8A.)
What’s Next?
The Canucks continue the back half of the season on Friday, Jan. 25 when they take on the River East Royal Knights at Terry Sawchuk Arena. On Sunday, Jan. 27, the Canucks will visit the Charleswood Hawks on Wayne Deschouwer Tribute Night, where both teams will pay respects to one of Winnipeg’s hockey icons.