Canucks feeling good after first two pre-season games
Posted Sep 21, 2011 07:31:24 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The games didn’t mean much, but the Vancouver Canucks returned to the ice last night. Actually, they did it twice… in different cities.
The Canucks played a pair of pre-season games against the Flames — winning 4-3 once on home ice and losing 5-1 in Calgary. News1130 Sports Director Ann Schmaltz was at the game here in Vancouver and says a couple players stood out for the Canucks:
“The duo on the back-end of Chris Tanev and Keith Ballard played very solidly. You can tell their experience from the post-season has carried over. Tanev jumped up in the play and scored a nice goal. They were quick, smart, and physical.”
“Coach Vigneault praises Jordan Schroeder and Nicklas Jensen,” she adds. “He noticed Schroeder was dependable without the puck. Jensen certainly has the size that works well in this league, and both just happened to score.”
Schmaltz says the vibe in the dressing room afterwards was pretty positive. “All of the guys were happy with how they battled back and got the win, but they also kept it in perspective. It was, after all, just the first pre-season games.”
“There’s still a long way to go for some; the players have to stay focused on what they need to do to catch the eyes of the coaching staff,” she adds. “There is a certain level of competition among all of them because they are trying to crack an NHL roster.”
The Canucks won the game at home 4-3 but lost in Calgary 5-1. The team’s next pre-season game is tomorrow in Edmonton.
