After splitting a pair of games in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) showcase, the Canucks started a four game stretch that bled into the second month of 2019.
That started with a game against the River East Royal Knights at Terry Sawchuk Arena on Jan. 25, where the Canucks hammered 55 shots on net in an 8-3 win.
Six different Canucks players registered at least two or more points, but it was the line of Eric Wankling (2G 2A), Kole Stockham (4A) and Craig Wiess (2G 1A) that led the way. Wyatt Kemball and Tyler Meixner also had multi-point games, while Tristan Ezako (G), Cole Chicoine (A) and Justin MacKinnon (A) also recorded points.
Nathan Cvar picked up the win in net.
After that the Canucks took a short trip south of the Assiniboine River to face the Charleswood Hawks on Sunday, Jan. 27. It was a special game, as the Hawks were honouring Wayne Deschouwer, a longtime volunteer in the sports community in Charleswood.
The Hawks would go on to win the game 4-1.
Stockham scored the only goal for the Canucks, with Wiess and Chicoine getting the helpers. Tyler Wiess took the loss in net.
The defeat left the Canucks with a 22-9-3 record to close the first month of 2019.
The Canucks were still sitting third in the MMJHL standings, and looked to get February started off on the right foot when they welcomed the second place Raiders to the St. James Civic Centre on Community Club Night.
In front of almost 600 young local hockey players and their parents, the Canucks put on a great performance and won the game 4-1. The top line of Wyatt Kemball, Tyler Meixner and Kieran Ursel led the way with two points each. Craig Wiess and Adam Thurlbeck added goals and John McCammon registered an assist. Nathan Cvar was solid in net, stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced to pick up his 13th win of the season.
To wrap up this four game stretch the Canucks welcomed the Stonewall Jets to the Civic Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The Canucks were looking for revenge, as the Jets beat them 3-2 in the MMJHL Showcase just a short time earlier.
Despite surrending the first two goals of the game, the Canucks would go on to score five unanswered goals and eventually win the game 7-3.
The second line of Dylan Burton (2G 2A), John McCammon (2G 2A) and Tristan Ezako (1G 3A) led the way offensively, combining for 12 points. Kieran Ursel (1G 1A), Tyler Meixner (2A), Cole Chicoine (1A), Adam Thurlbeck (1A) and Jeremy Idzikowski chipped in on offence as well.
Nathan Cvar picked up win number 14 on the season, making 21 saves.
After this stretch of games, the Canucks have a record of 24-9-2 and sit third in the MMJHL standings. They are two points back of the second place Raiders and five points up on the fourth place St. Vital Victorias.
Chalk Talk Three Stars:
3 – Craig Wiess – Wiess had three goals and two assists during this four game stretch and has more than doubled his point total from last season in five fewer games. He has six goals and 20 points in 34 games this season and is a point per game in his last five outings.
2 – Kole Stockham – Stockham had five points over this four game stretch and has 13 points on the season.
1 – Tyler Meixner – Meixner continues to lead the Canucks offensively with 41 points (22G 18A) and had a goal and six assists over this four game stretch. He has 12 points in his last 10 games and has set a career high for goals.
What’s Next?
The Canucks open a stretch of three games in three days on Friday, Feb. 8 when they face the Railer Express in Transcona. On the 9th they take on the St. Boniface Riels and on the 10th they hit the road to face the Raiders.