Vancouver Canucks Hockey Stuff

Columbus Blue Jackets 4 – Vancouver Canucks 2

The Canucks could not pull out a win in Columbus tonight, after falling behind 3-1 after the first two periods, and down 2-0 only 7 minutes into the contest.  They came out very solid in the thrid, throwing twelve shots at Columbus’ Pascal Leclaire, though leclaire stopped 11 of thoe to seal the victory, with Columbus netting an empty-net goal late in the third to make it 4-2.

Kyle Wellwood looked impressive in his first game back after being recalled from Manitoba, scoring a goal and assising on Kevin Bieksa’s marker.  Things to note during tonight’s game was the impressive third period play of Steve Bernier and the Sedin twins, however they could not put one in the Columbus net, and therefore Daniel Sedin is now pointles through his last five games.  On the other hand, Ryan Kesler’s point streak has gone onto four games with 2 goals and 2 assists within that time.

Both teams finished with identical power plays, going 1 for 4.  The Canucks came close on the power play late in the third period but couldn’t pull the trigger.

Tonight’s goals were scored by Kyle Wellwood power-play goal (Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond), and Kevin Bieksa (Kyle Wellwood).

Also today, after attempting to recall Matt pettinger from the Manitoba Moose via re-entry waivers, and having him picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canucks recalled Jason Krog, and he is now playing with the big club.

The Canucks next game is on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers at GM Place starting at 7pm.  They play two home games before hitting the road for another road trip.  Saturday nights game will be televised on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada in HD High Definition, and you can also listen to it live online streaming on Team1040.ca

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Doesn’t clear waivers, gone to Tampa Bay

Today the Canucks’ Matt Pettinger was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning, meaning the Canucks have lost him and have another hole to fill for tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The Canucks will be required to pay half of Pettinger’s one million dollar salary, and it will count against the Canucks salary cap.  The Canucks will be short a forward for tonight’s game but it is expected that defenceman Rob Davison will plug one of those holes.  Also, Canucks forward Kyle Wellwood has cleared waivers and will play in tonights game.

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Pettinger and Wellwood going through waivers as back-up

The Vancouver Canucks have placed Kyle Wellwood and Matt Pettinger on re-call waivers to hopefully bring them back up to the big club in time for tuesday morning’s skate before tuesday nights game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The forwards are being recalled after several injuries in the Canucks 4-2 loss last nightto the Chicago Blackhawks, where Rick Rypien is out due to a virus, Sami Salo is out with a groin injury, Pavol Demitra is out with an upper body injury, and Darcy Hordichuk is out with a knee injury. 

Any club can take either Wellwood or Pettinger off waivers, and only have to pay them half their season’s salary to play on their club, while the Canucks would then have to pay the other half of their salary’s.  Gillis and co aren’t afraid of paying as they have plenty of room under the salary cap, however they need healthy players and they need them now. 

Be sure to take in the Canucks final game of the six game road trip tomorrow night at 4pm against the Columbus Blure Jackets.

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