Canucks raise the curtain on regular season against struggling Flames
Posted October 15, 2016 12:18 pm.
Last Updated October 15, 2016 1:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – After hearing about how they’re supposed to finish the regular season for the last month, the Vancouver Canucks can finally begin to do something about it on Saturday night at Rogers Arena against the Calgary Flames. (Rogers Arena, 7pm, CBC)
Second year Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton is looking forward to playing for real after a week between games. Hutton was asked about some of those predictions that have Vancouver finishing dead last in the NHL.
“No one in this locker room thinks we’re going to finish where everyone else predicts us to. Someone has to be there for the end of the season. It’s s_tty that we were picked there, but it’s not going to happen.”
“It’s always motivating if you’re not picked high.” Canucks head coach Willie Dejardins said after the morning skate.
“I think that’s something you can use in your favour, but in the end you still have to get the points. It doesn’t matter where it comes out – you have to find a way to get the points on the ice.”
The Calgary Flames have their own problems right now, entering Vancouver after two losses to the provincial rival Oilers to begin the season. That includes a 5-3 loss to Edmonton last night in the team’s home opener.
Not only will the Canucks face a potentially tired opponent, but the Vancouver players should be well rested after going a full week between games.
“The guys have been itching to get back into regular season form.” Hutton said.
“I know we’re going to come out firing tonight. We’ve been excited for this home opener for a little while now. We’ve had a week to sit back and watch other teams play, so I know we’ll be ready to go.”
The Canucks will need to be ready – the team kicks off a stretch of nine games over the course of the next two weeks. Eddie Lack and the Carolina Hurricanes will visit Rogers Arena on Sunday night.
This is the Word of Wheeler: A podcast about the importance of hockey in Canada and a welcome back to Ron McLean to Hockey Night in Canada:
