U2's Where The Streets Have No Name was blasted for the introductions, Fin the Orca riled up the crowd and Canucks alumni Kirk McLean, Jyrki Lumme, Dave Babych and Darcy Rota were on-hand to greet fans inside the Abbotsford Centre on Saturday (Jan. 11).
Vancouver Canucks Night proved to be a big hit on and off the ice, with a season-high 6,005 fans jammed in the building and the Abbotsford Canucks earning a 4-2 win over the Henderson Silver Knights.
Streets have no names still hits. should adopt this full-time
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
It was a success even if Abbotsford captain Chase Wouters had no clue about the significance of the U2 song to Canucks lore.
The 1987 hit single was associated with some of the glory days of the Vancouver Canucks and for decades it was used as the anthem for playoff run introductions, including for last year's Nashville Predators opening round series.
"I didn't even notice it to be completely honest with you," Wouters said laughing, when asked about the heart-pumping tune.
Teammate Arshdeep Bains, a 性视界传媒 product and lifelong Canucks fan, was the complete opposite and was disappointed but not shocked that Wouters was unaware of the importance of the song.
"Yeah that was cool and to have the mascot out there, it was pretty cool," he said reflecting on the moment. "But I expected that out of Chase."
Puck dropped at the as the host . Missed the actual face-off because too many people! Feels like a big crowd tonight
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
The pair can afford to be a little loose after the Canucks swept Henderson and strengthened their playoff hopes with four more points after wins on Friday (Jan. 10) and Saturday.
Saturday saw forward Sammy Blais continue his solid play since returning to the lineup from an injury on Dec. 20 and he opened the scoring with a power play goal at 19:17 of the first. Blais is now riding a three-game scoring streak and has points in five of his last six games.
Blais on the power play scores, amazing camera work
鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)
Abbotsford controlled the first period and outshot Henderson 17-5.
The Silver Knights tied the game up early in the second with a power play goal of their own, but Bains put the Canucks back up 2-1 after an individual effort at 14:58 of the middle frame.
A BEAUTY BY BAINS 馃ぉ
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
Henderson again battled back to tie it up at 1:06 of the third, but Nils Aman found himself set up nicely by Linus Karlsson to score what would be the game winner at 5:15.
Ty Glover provided some insurance at 13:02 of the third after Wouters made a great read forechecking down low and set him perfectly. Earlier in the third saw Glover drop the gloves with Henderson's Kai Uchachz so he finished one assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick.
HOW SWEDE IS THIS? 馃嚫馃嚜
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
GLOVER GOES FOURTH 鈥硷笍
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
Abbotsford outshot Henderson heavily 41-23, with Arturs Silovs making 21 saves to earn his first AHL win in this calendar year. Cole McWard had a team-high six shots for the Canucks, with Wouters recording five.
Wouters said the weekend was big, as the Canucks ended a six-game losing streak and fought through recent struggles.
"During the year teams face adversity so it was nice to come home, hit the reset button and get back to our brand of hockey," he said. "So it was a fun weekend."
CONFRIMED: LUMBERJACKS > KNIGHTS 鈥硷笍
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
Friday saw the line of Karlsson, Blais and Ty Mueller combine for four goals and eight total points to guide the Canucks to a 4-1 win over Henderson.
Karlsson scored twice and Mueller scored twice in the first two periods to give the Canucks a 4-0 lead by 15:34 of the second. The Silver Knights added a goal at 16:57 of the middle frame and Abbotsford locked the game down in the third for the win.
Nikita Tolopilo made 29 saves for his eighth win on the season. Karlsson and Mueller recorded three-point nights, while Blais had two points. Mueller suffered an injury late on Friday and did not play in Saturday's game.
KNIGHT, KNIGHT 馃槾
鈥� Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks)
SLEEP WELL ABBY FANS!
Reported attendance on Friday was 4,192.
The Canucks maintain sole possession of seventh place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division after this weekend. The team's record now sits at 16-15-1-1.
The Canucks remain home for games against the Ontario Reign on Tuesday (Jan. 14) and Wednesday (Jan. 15). The homestand wraps up with games against the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday (Jan. 18) and Sunday (Jan. 19).
