CANUCKS in April
L 2-1 @ CHI - the last game of the year against rival Chicago (barring a playoff meeting) ended sadly for the Canucks, as Yannick Weber scored the only Vancouver goal. Blackhawks deadline acquisition Roman Polak scored from the blueline to open the scoring and veteran Brad Richards netted the eventual winner past Ryan Miller.
L 3-2 @ WPG - an ailing Jets team running with backup goalie Michael Hutchinson defeated Vancouver on goals from Ellerby, Clitsome and Scheifele. Hansen and Richardson answered for Vancouver and Bonino picked up assists on both goals but it wasn't enough. Hutchinson made 35 saves in the win. Adding injury to insult, Chris Higgins went down with what looked to be a decently serious shoulder injury.
W 4-2 vs LAK - Latvian Ronalds Kenins was called up to replace Higgins in the lineup and makes his debut. The Kings look dominant, outshooting Vancouver 41-21, but Ryan Miller makes 39 saves and Quick has an off night. Vrbata scored two (up to 29 on the year) and Hank potted the winner on the powerplay midway through the third.
W 3-0 vs ARI - this was a wild game, with no scoring until the third but tons of penalties. The second period saw 24 minutes in penalties dished out between the two teams, including an elbowing minor, goalie interference, two roughing minors and a misconduct. In spite of taking three straight third period penalties (including a roughing on Bieksa and a boarding on Burrows) the Canucks blew the doors off in the third, with goals from Hansen, Daniel and Raymond (an empty netter to seal it). Hank had two helpers. Miller made 32 saves for the shutout.
OTW 3-2 vs EDM - A couple of rookies opened the scoring for Vancouver, as Corrado picked up his sixth from the blueline and Horvat notched his twelfth, a powerplay marker from Edler and Vrbata, to cap his rookie campaign. In the second the Oilers evened it up with goals from Arcobello and and Perron, and with no scoring in the third we went to extra time. Two minutes into the overtime period it was Nick Bonino scoring his eleventh of the year to win it and end the season in style, with assists going to Edler and Horvat (his 30th point of his rookie year).
Record (April): 45-30-7 (3-2-0), 97 points, 6th in West (1st in Pacific)
Injuries:
- D Dan Hamhuis (neck) DTD
- F Chris Higgins (shoulder) OUT 2-3 weeks