Much was made yesterday about the return of Ryan Kesler --- the straw that stirs the Canucks drink, the engine of the Canuck-mobile. Kesler's much anticipated return certainly lived up to expectations as the team's Selke winning centre came flying out of the gates on his first with a shot and a hit, showing no lasting effects of his lengthy absence due to a broken foot bone. Kesler opened the scoring banging in a rebound from his office right in front of the net with a goal that turned out to be the game winner as Cory Schneider went on to post his 4th shutout in the last 9 games (yes you read that correctly).
Kesler's return also bumped newly acquired Derek Roy down to the "3rd line" if you will where he has been impressive playing with Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen.
The team looked good offensively, carrying much of the play, creating several chances,and getting off over 40 shots for their highest total of the season. The score, in my opinion, greatly flattered the Phoenix Coyotes due mainly to goalie Mike Smith being up to the task and stopping everything the Canucks threw at him except for the previously mentioned Kesler effort.
One might say that with Kelser's return and the addition of Derek Roy that the Canucks look as deep offensively as they have all year and probably in the last few years. Perfect. Let's get this thing rolling. Just in time for the playoffs.
But wait. In what is becoming an almost expected occurrence, we find out this morning that Chris Higgins and Chris Tanev will be out indefinitely and will more than likely miss the rest of the regular season and perhaps the playoffs.
They just can't seem to get a break...unless its a bone.
You can follow Sporting Vancouver on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments...