After the Canucks jumped out to a 4-2-0 start in their first six games, their next stretch started with a rough patch.
It began with a home game on Oct. 20 against the Trancona Railer Express. It was a tough game for the Canucks, who fell 5-1. Graeme Shingleton scored the only Canucks goal, with Craig Wiess and Chris Sass recording assists.
Next up the Canucks hit the highway south to Morris, where they took on the Pembina Valley Twisters. Unfortunately it was another tough night for the Canucks, who fell 6-2.
Cole Chicoine and Chris Sass scored in the game, and Shingleton, Kieran Ursel, Trent Halfdanson and Brady Whitely recorded assists.
After the back-to-back losses the Canucks’ record dropped to 4-4-0.
Next up the Canucks hosted the St. Boniface Riels at the St. James Civic Centre on Sunday, Oct. 27. The Canucks out-shot the Riels 34-27 and would go on to win 3-2 in overtime.
Cole Chicoine scored the overtime winner, while Carson Miller and Adam Thurlbeck added goals in regulation. Kurtis Luke had a pair of assists and Kale Price, Shane Bigourdin, Kieran Ursel and Eric Wankling added helpers of their own.
Canucks’ rookie goalie Noah Gilbert improved to 3-0-0, stopping 25 of the 27 shots that came his way.
The Canucks looked to make it back-to-back wins on Friday, Nov. 1 when they hosted the Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins. It was a tight checking game that the Canucks would go on to win 2-1 behind stingy defensive performance and a 32 save effort from Nathan Cvar.
Chicoine scored in his third consecutive game, and Zach Greenwood tallied his first MMJHL goal for the game winner. Halfdanson and Ursel had the assists.
The Canucks wrapped up this stretch of games against the top team in the league, the St. Vital Victorias. Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Canucks fell 3-2 when the Vics scored late in the game thanks to a funny bounce off the glass. Chicoine scored once again with assists from Halfdanson and Ursel. Kurtis Luke scored the other goal for the Canucks.
Cvar was solid but took the tough luck loss in net, stopping 30 of 33 shots.
After this stretch, the Canucks have a 6-5-0 record and sit in a three-way tie for 4th place.
Chalk Talk Three Stars:
3 – Chris Sass – The Canucks’ assistant captain had a goal and two assists during this stretch and has eight points in 11 games this season, which is second on the team.
2 – Kieran Ursel – Ursel has been an offensive star since returning to the lineup, putting up four assists in four games.
1 – Cole Chicoine – Chicoine had four goals during this stretch and has five goals in 10 games.
What’s Next?
The Canucks next play this Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in River East against the Royal Knights at 7:30 pm. After that the Canucks will host the Raiders on Sunday, Nov 10 for an afternoon game at 2:45 pm.