RINK WIDE POST-GAME: Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames | Game #1 – Oct. 9, 2025

RINK WIDE POST-GAME: Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames | Game #1 – Oct. 9, 2025

The Vancouver Conucks are off and running using a big third period to douse the Flames 5 to one on opening night. This is Rinkwide Vancouver. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] And we welcome you inside the Pacific Toyota dealers studio in downtown Vancouver 51. The Canucks all over the Calgary Flames. I’m Jeff. He is Earthf and we are coming to you from that Pacific Toyota dealers studio that we talked about. Shop toyota.ca or your local Pacific Toyota dealer. Today Rinkai brought to you in part by bet 365. Little bit of a slow build in this hockey game, but the Conucks open the scoring late in the first period. It stays one- nothing through 40 minutes and then I don’t know what happened. The floodgates opened, but the Vancouver Canucks skate away with a convincing 5-1 victory. Yeah, big performance from the Canucks. Lots to talk about that second line center we were talking about that the Canucks needed. What the hell’s going on? Philip Heedle factoring in in a big way. And yeah, doing all of this without any contribution from their captain. Yeah, it wasn’t a banner night for Quinn Hughes doesn’t figure in the scoring, but lots of guys there to pick him up. But I don’t think we’re worried about Captain Kak. He’ll be just fine. Uh, and really, you know, there were questions all summer about where would the offense come from and then you looked at the preeason and yeah, okay, they scored eight in Calgary against this Flames team, but they were among the league leaders in goals scored in the preseason and so I don’t know if we misjudged them. It is only one night, but again to get two from Heedle who scored just two in 15 games before they had to shut him down with yet another head injury last season. Jonathan Leer Mackey, we saw the big one-times in the preseason. the kid. Uh he starts his account here this year with a nice goal. Made it 4 nothing midway through the third period. Uh Brock Besser looking like Brock Besser and we saw him score the opening goal at the Saddle Dome with a snapshot here off the rush. Uh Elias Patterson EP40 and Jake De Bruss getting the assist. The other Elias Patterson involved in this hockey game. We’ll certainly get to all of that as well, but Kefir Sherwood is the guy that opened the scoring and uh I thought he had a nice preseason. And I thought Dro Connor skated miles in the preseason as well. And those two combined uh to get things going for the Vancouver Conucks at the 1453 mark of the opening period. Joel Hanley handling the puck like a grenade in the neutral zone and Okconor able to get to Sherwood with the shot off the wing. Now Dustin Wolf starting backto back. The guy’s going to play a ton of games for the Calgary Flames. I don’t know if I was surprised. He’s their meal ticket. Um, you know, conventional hockey wisdom tells you that starting goalenders back to back generally doesn’t work. Uh, I’m sure he would have loved to have had the save there on the Sherwood shot. Yeah. Um, shot from distance. It was a good shot. Kefir Sherwood can wire it. We’ve seen that. Scored 19 last year. Uh, anyways, I mean, this isn’t on Dustin Wolf, but curious decision cuz now the Flames go back home. They’ve got their home opener. would think that uh their number one guy would get the call in the first game on home ice of the season. Uh he may play 70 games this year. They got to be careful in how they handle Dustin Wolf. Uh bottom line is the Conucks took advantage of a goalender and a team that was playing for the second night in 24 hours. Both games on the road. They went to overtime and a long shootout last night in Edmonton. They got the victory there. Uh, but I do think in a one- nothing game going to the third, the Flames playing their sixth period of hockey in a condensed portion of time, the Conucks had to make that matter and they did. And that’s when they took over this hockey game. And it started with Philip Heedle taking a a tripping penalty on the first shift of the third period. Canucks able to dodge that bullet and then Heedle out of the penalty box. Bit of a fortunate bounce. Hey, uh, they’ll get some bounces that go against them, but Philip Heedle taking advantage of a bounce off defenseman Kevin Ball. the back of his head. Uh, and unfortunate for the Flames, but a lucky bounce, good bounce, favorable bounce, you can call it what you want. Uh, came right back to Heedle and he made no mistake. Well, and the interesting part about that goal is every single player looked at the official cuz ball went down hard. It took a deflection before it even hit ball on the head. I can’t remember who it hit, but it was just a weird play here. Um, and Heedle’s lucky. I mean, you’re hockeyy’s a game of bounces. And unfortunately for the Flames, it went the Canucks way. And off we go. Philip Heedles got his second of the game. Uh well, that was his first. Sorry. Yeah. But moments later, he would get his second. Uh as it turned out, that made it two nothing. So that stands up as the gamewinning goal, but Heedle was far from done there. Uh just a ton to like on his second goal. Yeah. Uh Arsh Baines and we’ll certainly get around to assessing his night and he was involved. Uh Baines with the headman pass. Breakaway for Heedle. that speed on display as he pulled away from the Flames defenders. And I liked how confident he looked on the breakaway, made absolutely no mistake, picked a spot, and snapped it past Dustin Wolf. And again, it’s one game you got to be careful here, but performances like this could change the conversation around the Vancouver Conucks if Philip Pedle can step in and hold his own as a legitimate second line scoring center in the National Hockey League. Well, I think that that was the biggest thing. You you mentioned holding his own. I think staying healthy was obviously the big one when looking at, you know, Filipedo, but being able to go and put the puck in the net, being able to contribute night in and night out, play with that speed, play with that little bit of snarl that he has in his game and show that offensive flare. I mean, the breakaway goal that he had, not only was the speed to pull away from the defenseman, but the finish, Jeff, it was a very professional finish. Didn’t try to do something he’s not used to doing. his puck in the back of the net pretty easy, pretty professional there from Philip Pedal. And if they can get more nights like this out of him than not, he can get to 20 20 goals this season. He’s only he’s already got two 180 away in 80 g 81 games. So, um it’s not too much of a task to ask, but obviously staying healthy is a question mark and it’s a great start for them. Uh we tell you about this on every episode of Rinkwide and we’ll mention it right here as we get off and running game one of 82 and we’ll be here after every single Vancouver Conucks game all season long and that is that you can take part. If you’ve got a comment, a question, uh something you want to hear or see us talk about, a suggestion, you name it, hit us up with a super chat. Our charity partner again this season, the BC Mental Health Foundation, changing the face of mental health and addiction by supporting breakthroughs in care, public understanding, research, and knowledge exchange. The YouTube live chat is going wild on opening night. Not a surprise there. The chat’s already in mid-season form. Uh, and we’ve got a couple of super chats right off the hop. Dominic, this style way more free flowing than last year. Again, they got the Flames on the back end of backtobacks. I don’t think anybody’s picking the Calgary Flames to win the Stanley Cup. So, there will be greater challenges ahead for the Vancouver Conucks. Be sure of that. But on opening night, hey, it was fun. Building was hopping. Uh, and Dominic, we thank you for that super chat. Hugo Mugo, a regular contributor. That was fun. Demco look great. Thanks for the show. And Corey G, another super chat. So, they’re coming on strong right from the outset. The stars showed up, but Baines, who I was skeptical of, had two massive blocks on the penalty kill. Sent Heedel in on the breakaway. Kudo to Arsh Deep Baines. So, thanks to everybody for those super chats. Keep them coming for a great cause, the BC Mental Health Foundation. Oh, let’s get to our three star selection because we’ve talked about Heedle. We’re going to get to Arch Deep Baines as well. Uh, and then uh well, hey, it’s three stars, so uh we got to get someone else in there. And we do. We Hey, look, we lots of options. Uh they spread the scoring around. Some solid defensive efforts as well. Uh the three stars are a presentation of your Pacific Toyota dealers and the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. A no compromise approach to electric vehicles that offers the best of both worlds. You can drive up to 72 kilometers on battery alone. And that’s enough to get you from downtown to the rink, the grocery store, and then home to recharge. Seamlessly transitions from electric mode to the gas engine for a combined range of 962 kilometers. Loaded with tech that is actually easy to use. And now you can lease a 2025 Prius plug-in hybrid SE from $99 weekly at 3.49% 49% APR for 64 months, $3,600 down, and it includes a $3,000 discount. Visit shoptoyota.ca or your local Pacific Toyota dealers today. All right. Uh, three stars in the building. Philip Heedle was star number one. These were selected by uh the broadcasters on SportsNet. Heedel, Demco, and Kefir Sherwood who opened the scoring. And I thought Sherwood was involved. We go slightly different here. Yeah, Philip Heedle. the two goals including the gamewinner. Five shots, eight shot attempts. Like this guy had the puck on his stick all night long. Not afraid to to shoot it and obviously good things happened when he did. So again, lots to like there. Some really encouraging signs. No doubt about it. Philip He leaves his stamp on this hockey game. He is star number one. There’s our Steve Baines gets the assist. But I think people certainly on social channels, they were buzzing about those second period of blocks on the penalty kill. a he’s out there on the penalty kill first and foremost and second of all doing the things that he’s going to have to do. I know he was in the top six role but I think when they’re healthy and Hoglander’s back and I mean maybe even well before then if he doesn’t bring it offensively he may find himself dropping in the lineup but there’s still a role for RD Baines on this team and picking up some of the slack on the penalty kill I think is a a way that he can contribute. This was a really nice start to the season for RD Baines in that regard. Yeah, we always talk about how hard it is to make the NHL. It’s even harder to stay in the NHL, but things like Archie Baines did on the PK is exactly how you stay in the National Hockey League. We talked so much about, you know, his offense and is he really the right guy to play in that top six role. Maybe he’s in that top six role and he’s up there, but it’s his play defensively that his coach knows how much he can trust him in key situations. Obviously, the penalty kill was huge for the Canucks here tonight. uh turned the puck over, didn’t get it out of the zone on the one Calgary goal. We won’t hold it also skated over it. There were other breakdowns, but look, just full comprehensive analysis of this hockey game. It wasn’t a perfect game for our Steve Baines, but again, uh I think there was a lot to like in his performance. I still wonder about the offense, but hey, he’s a point a game guy this season with the assist on the Heedle breakaway goal. And there’s Thatcher Emco. Remember Thatchardred Emco? Yeah. guy named used to play for the Vancouver Conucks. It’s been a while. Hadn’t played a game since April the 6th, I think it was. Got into the three preseason games. Obviously, I thought he looked good from camp on and here wasn’t busy. Uh just 18 shots on goal, but it’s the situations. It’s the timely saves. It’s those high leverage moments. And his save on Sharon Govich on the power play in a one- nothing hockey game late in the second period. Flames did squat with their power play all night long. I saw Calgary fans were freaking out about the fact that Zayn Perk hasn’t played either of the first two games and you got a power play that went 0 for four on the night. Uh only registered the three shots on goal, but in saying that it took them a while, but late in that first period, second period, they moved it around. They got Sharon Goic in front. That was the chance they were looking for. And I just thought Thatcher Demco made it look so easy, so effortless. That’s Thatcher Demco from a couple of seasons ago. And such a good sign for the Vancouver Conucks to have uh their main man in net back. Obviously Kevin Lankin is going to get starts as well like if they stay healthy. Uh and we’ve been talking about it for a while. I mean they have a legitimate chance to have an edge in goal most nights with that one two punch. But I just think Thatcher Demco coming off the season that he had and just 23 starts only 10 wins last year uh a confidence builder for him. uh confidence builder for the guys in front of him and as a result he stopped 17 of 18 is the third star here unrink wide it’s funny and I go back a couple seasons that Demco how many nights were did he sit and look and say man if my team could score two three four we can win this game his team scored five in front of him so you mentioned he wasn’t very busy but when he needed to be busy he was there he’s a Vzna caliber goalie um and he’s a very important if not the most important piece to this little puzzle that the Conucks have and what they’re trying to accomplish, his health, obviously we talked about Philip Pedle and and his health, but if that Demco can stay healthy, if he can play the way that he has and here, especially in game one, I mean, this team can win a lot more games than not. Well, if you watch the game last night in Edmonton, obviously goalending was an issue for the Oilers as it has been for a while. Uh, and it was Blake Coleman that scored the sketchy tying goal last night. Coleman had a chance like three minutes in point blank and I thought again Demco just looking big in the net made the save and then Coleman a short-handed breakaway in the second period as well when it’s a one nothing hockey game. So uh the shot total it wasn’t a busy night for Thatcher Demco but in those 18 Calgary shots there were some chances and he came through and really not a whole lot that he could do on the the onegoal Morgan Frost spinning and firing it through traffic after we had said couple of blunders by the Canucks with seven minutes to go in the hockey game. if it breaks the shutout bid, but uh it’s not about shutouts, it’s about victories. And ultimately uh the Canucks get theirs. Thatcher Demco gets his first of the season. The Conucks are hoping it’s the first of many. And those are the three stars of this hockey game. Philip Pedle Archie Baines Thatcher Demco clean sweep for the Vancouver Conucks. And the three stars here on Rinkwide Vancouver, a presentation of your Pacific Toyota dealers. question for you obviously to our listeners if if you haven’t tuned in in the preseason and didn’t know what have you made of Tatra Demco we know about the summer and the workouts that he’s had but since he’s gotten here and since you’ve been able to you know watch him closely and obviously speak to him after certain practices what have you kind of made of his you know summer and into here in game one now I I I sensed a really motivated guy that recognizes that you know a lot of the chatter around him is that he’s injuryprone and I I think he wants to prove people like he knows that yeah, injuries have been part of his story here, but he just looks determined to, you know, put in the work, do the recovery that’s necessary to stay as healthy as possible. Obviously, we’re all going to be watching and monitoring uh his workload as he goes here. But I I I get a sense that he wants to rewrite the narrative that has been shaped around him that oh, he’s not able to be there when the Canucks need him and just too many injuries now. Uh I think from the first day of training camp, even in the summer skates and and look, I get that that’s all they are, but I just to me it was so um what’s the word I’m looking for? I guess dialed. No, but but it was comforting to go out to UBC and see him free in his range of motion and going through the movements and looking like the Thatcher Demco of a couple of years ago and he’s carried that through a strong training camp. Didn’t give up a goal in the team scrimmage in Pentictton. His three starts in Pent. I thought he was good in the preseason out in Abbottzford. Uh the home game at the end of preseason against the Oilers got the victory there. U you know went two and one in the preseason. The one loss was against a stacked Edmonton team in Edmonton when the Conucks didn’t send a great lineup. Uh and I think three of the seven preseason goals that he gave up were on power plays. It’s like five on five. He was dialed in and and has carried that over. So, uh just a lot to like. I would think that you come back with him on Saturday night. I know people are like, “Oh, you got to monitor and we’re like if I’m calling the shots, I come right back with him on Saturday in Edmonton against the Oilers and then go Lankaning on Monday afternoon. Sort of that wonky 4:30. I don’t know if there’ll be a pregame skate. Uh you don’t want Lenin to go too long without a start, but I think I would I saw nothing from this game tonight that would say, “Oh, Demco has to sit down. It’s not back to backs. Uh he’ll have a chance to rest and recover here.” I’d come back with After Demco on Saturday against Edmonton. It’s funny because we’re also sitting here after game one. He plays well and we we’re we’re talking about that should he play on Saturday, which a couple days from now. But there’s a reason why Kevin Lankin is there. There’s a reason why they gave him a $25 million contract extension um for the the four-year deal is he’s going to eventually have to play. But here’s the thing. This is a great problem to have if you’re the Vancouver Conucks. You have two goalies. The one in the back the backup position could be a starter on a few NHL teams, especially if you’ve watched some of the games here in the last day or so. But um great problem to have if you’re the Canucks. And for that, I agree with you. I think you go right back to him on Saturday in Edmonton. Uh a bunch more super chats. Keep them coming. and we love this and really appreciate uh your support of the show and also the BC Mental Health Foundation. Tossly says Kucks Hockey is back, baby uh for one night at least. But again, so much to like in this. We’ll see if they can carry the momentum as they move on to take the Oilers on Saturday. Uh Chris Rhodess, how great was it to see number 16 back in the building? We’ve seen Trevor Lindon around the building. I think there’s been some mending of fences in terms of the relationship. Uh you know, time heals all wounds. It was great to see members of that 94 or the 95 team marking 30 years since the opening of then GM place now Rogers Arena. Uh place always pops when Trevor is out there for a ceremonial faceoff or introduced to the crowd. So yeah, it was good to see Trevor Lindon and so many of the alumni there. Uh this one comes from Free Pey. This is towards my mental health which is much better now that I don’t have to watch it system. and one from Smasher 66, a 10 buck contribution to the BC Mental Health Foundation. You guys rock. Keep smashing it. Hey, we will. We’re just getting started here for the new hockey season. Uh I was anxious today. I was excited like opening day and opening night for us. So, uh was counting down the minutes till we got together here to fire up rinkwide after a Canucks victory against the Edmonton Oilers. Five to one the final score. Philip with a pair. Uh it was Jonathan Leer Mackey. was key for Sherwood and then Brock Besser rounding out the scoring. Uh so many things to talk about. I mentioned it there briefly, but this is going to be uh the stat that stands out. I want to get to it because it’s going to lead to a discussion point here. And the stat that stands out this season is going to be delivered by Uber Eats. The NHL season ramping up. We here at Rinkwide pumped to be partnering with Uber Eatats all season long to deliver hockey fans the ultimate game day experience. The best matchups on the ice. They’re made even better with top pairings and exclusive game day offers from Uber Eats. And Uber Eats is enabling fans to maximize their fandom all season long with exclusive game day deals on the app where they can get anything almost anything truly from game day eats to paper plates and napkins if you’re hosting to all the ingredients you need to make your favorite game day dip before, during, or after the game. from Uber Eatats assisting every hockey fan’s experience all season long. I saw you were down around the Uber Eatats activation at the rink. I was Uber Eatsing and delivering and doing it all today. It was great. But no, definitely happy to have Uber Eats on board with us here and and all the shows here in Vancouver. All right. Well, let’s get uh to the stat that stands out then from this hockey game. And for me again, it was a one nothing game into the third period. There were moments here, but the Conucks held Calgary to just three shots in 8 minutes of power play time. So, you know, we wondered without Teddy Bluger without PSudtor penalty kill. Uh they took a penalty early in the hockey game and there was EP40 was the first guy out over the boards to take a face off. Uh it was EP 40 and Kefir Sherwood along with Tyler Meyers and Marcus Patterson. And then uh Atu Ratu came out for the next faceoff along with Connor Garland. It was Forbert and Heronic on defense. Ratu won the draw. They cleared the puck and he headed straight to the bench and was replaced by Drew O’ Connor. So, uh it was interesting as the night went along because Brock Besser saw him killing a penalty in the second period with Jake De Brusk Ark Baines. We talked about him. Uh you know, so the Conucks got a bunch of forwards involved and I think this is going to be an ongoing process. They were perfect tonight, four for four. Uh, so Adam Foot, I’m sure, in the coaching staff, Kevin Dean running the penalty kill, they’ll all be delighted with the performances of just about everybody on the penalty kill. And so that probably buys them more opportunities as they go here. And of course, at some point, Teddy Bluger will be back, but they’re saying a week. So they’re going to have to get through this weekend without Teddy Bluger. But, uh, you know, you can’t start any better than that. Four for four on the night for the Canucks holding Calgary to just three shots on goal. Well, the three shots on goal is massive, but also even more massive is the combinations of players. I think through 40 minutes, they had seven different pairings of forwards that were out there killing penalties. So, they’re doing it by committee. There isn’t just one or two guys that they depend on each and every night. You know, guys like Archie Baines are blocking shots, but then you have a guy like Elias Patterson coming out taking face off. Brock Besser also out there as well. So, doing it by committee. I mean, obviously a defensive-minded head coach in in in Adam foot, but um taking ownership, taking responsibility, and not a lot of people want to play on the PK, and you look at this team and you got seven different sets of four groups going out there and wanting to kill penalties and wanting to block shots. That’s good ju guu for the room. That that that definitely is. That means that guys are willing to compete. Means that guys are willing to put their body on the line, do anything for the betterment of the game, and for them to try and win those games. So, huge shout out to to the Canucks PK here in game one. Yeah. Yeah, and I’m not sure I mentioned Connor Garland did a fair bit as well and and I think that’s going to be a role that he is able to fill for the Vancouver Conucks. So, again, on a night where they check off a bunch of boxes, penalty kill among them, holding Calgary at bay for the most part. All right. Uh, do we want to talk about Braden Coots or do we want to talk about the two hits involving Elias Elias Patterson early in the second period? We’ll start with the hits. I think that’s kind of it was a pretty big talking point. Yep. Everywhere in the game. Yeah. Mackenzie Waguer gets a good chunk of the OG uh EP40. Uh play was called a major on the ice and then they reviewed it. We saw that applied a couple of times there in that second period. Now Mackenzie Wager got a misconduct in uh was I think it was an overtime last night in Edmonton. Uh it was fired up that won’t do him any favors with the officials and so I wondered if that you know officials want to stick together and have each other’s backs. Uh I I think they got it right. It was an awkward looking collision and I I mean Patterson went down, left, went down the tunnel for a little while. Uh returned to the hockey game and that’s a good news story for all involved there. But I mean it was a penalty. I didn’t have a but I think they got it right. I mean ultimately I I when I saw it in real time, it was right below me in the press box. Uh, it was more sort of the awkward positioning of Person’s body that left me concerned that he was going to be injured. Um, but it was it was boring. What do they call the penalty officially? They Yeah, it was boring. So, you know, 20 seconds into the period, uh, you I I like that application of the rules. Call it a major and then that gives you the flexibility as the honest officials to take a look at it and make sure They get it right. They downgraded it. It was a two-minute penalty. Oh, I think in real time, right? Especially. So, you’re able to go and do that in real time. It probably did look like a major penalty. And you slow it down and you really look at it. Weaguer doesn’t hit him hit him in the numbers, but he hits him in a position where that two and a half to three feet from the boards is so dangerous. No matter who it is or what situation it is, guys fall awkwardly. You can trip and fall into the boards. Um, we wanted to hit him. It’s not like he, you know, wasn’t going to shy away from not checking him. Didn’t hold up. He was going to hit him. And obviously the end result was a power play for the Canucks. And I think that I agree with you. I do think the officials got it right in that situation. And so moments later, there’s DPD stepping up on Connor Zerry. And again, same thing. They call it a major penalty on the ice as uh big scrum ensues. Zer’s down and needing some medical attention, but again, fortunately able to pick himself up and and stay in the hockey game. And as we watch it here, um, you know, that one probably a little closer to I was going to say to the numbers, but as I watch that replay there, uh, it’s, you know, it’s it’s a forceful collision, a big man, and it’s that danger zone that you just talked about. And I also think it’s the finishing of the check that made it might have been a little bit worse there. It was whereas Weaguer kind of got Person and it was more of a shoulder awkward fall into the boards. DPD here kind of hit him and then you saw his arms extend a little bit which made it look a lot worse than it was. But I also think that you know getting this call is right. Flames fans are going to be pissed about it and obviously the Canucks fans were angry about the way the weaguer penalty wasn’t called a major but in the end the referees decided to look at it properly and go with only the two minutes there. Yeah. And so ultimately that’s what it was. It was basically matching minor penalties a couple of minutes apart. Uh, and no damage done. Neither team scored on the power play. Both clubs went 0 for four on the night with the man advantage. But the Canucks at least generated some looks. Although I see people giving the Conucks power play some grief, too. Uh, six shots on goal, but not snapping it around the way they did in the preseason. We liked what we saw from the Canucks power play. Now again, you’re facing teams that aren’t at their optimal lineups in exhibition action, and maybe that figured into it to some degree, but there was better puck and player movement in the preseason. It’s early. What I didn’t like was uh there were too many hope passes uh on the power play. Um and I didn’t think Quinn, as dialed as he looked in the preseason, he wasn’t his best. Didn’t figure in the scoring. We talk about that. Um, but he just didn’t look locked on the way that we’re so conditioned to see Ir like I thought the shest bet on the night was Quinn Hughes getting the point that he needed to become the all-time leading scorer among connect defensemen and that’s going to have to wait now. But I just thought come on against a tired Calgary team, four power plays as it turns out and Quinn is held off the score sheet. If you would have told me that the Conucks were going to win 5-1 and Quinn Hughes didn’t factor into the score sheet, I would have taken that bet a million times out of a million. Like any day of the week, I would have been said, “No, you’re crazy.” Okay, but here’s get on my soap box on the power play right now. They had a second power play unit about 39 seconds left on it. Jonathan Leeraki is on the opposite side of where he needs to be. Yeah. What was that? I I I don’t know. I don’t get it. And eventually when he skated over to his right side, the power play had just ended and he got the only chance on that power play was a shot. Although it was probably an easy save for Dustin Wolf, but it was still a shot. You don’t want that guy on the ice on the power play and passing the puck. You really don’t. And I think that I’m going to sit here and we’re going to sit here until he gets on PP1 or until they move it around a little bit. But he is too good and his shot is too dangerous for him to be standing out there in no man’s land. Going to be flipping the table here in studio. Get Leer Mackey. Nobody listens to me anyway, so it’s fine. Uh, but it’s funny because I I you know, I was at the rink for the first couple of periods. I had that same thought. So whether it was here in studio, whether it was there in person, like we just saw this guy wire three shots in the preseason that found the back of the net from his spot, like he should be planted there firmly and instead Garland is setting up shop and Heedle is sliding into that position. Like what in the world is going on? It didn’t cost them tonight, but yeah, if you’re going to get those guys on the second unit, it’s power play time. Uh, put Leer Mackey in position to feast. And they didn’t do that. He did score. Uh, but it came at even strength on the night. Leer Mackey, uh, two shots on goal, three attempts. So, you know, for a volume shooter, getting three shot attempts away. Not bad for a start, but uh Oh, what might have been had they put it in his wheelhouse there when they were working with the man advantage. Yeah. All right. Well, we talked about those two hits. The other thing that I wanted to talk about was the rookie that we’ve been talking about for weeks now. The kid Braden Coots and had the family in from Sherwood Park. And you know that uh there’ll be a bigger rooting section uh when he goes back to Edmonton. We saw in the preseason he had like 50 fans out to see his first game uh even if it was an exhibition game. now playing for keeps. Uh the bottom line for Braden Coots is uh he’s part of a win in his NHL debut. He got the rookie lap as they all do uh nowadays. Uh looking at the stat sheet, 10 minutes and 42 seconds of ice time, so didn’t play a ton, although 2 minutes and 40 seconds of that was power play time. So did get some looks with the man advantage. No shots, no shot attempts. He had a hit. He had a couple of giveaways. And this is an area that uh we’re gonna have to keep an eye on as long as he’s on the NHL roster. Won just three of nine faceoffs. And so uh welcome to the NHL. You’re gonna find yourself playing against some of the best players in the world. And I thought it was interesting. There was a really weak icing call that never should have been icing in the first period, but they blew it down. Canucks couldn’t change. Cooch is out there. Cadri on the other side and Nasm just schooled him like and you know again like that’s life. This is a guy that’s been doing it at a high level for a long time in the National Hockey League. And so um you know I’m not pointing a finger at Braden Coots. I’m just saying th those are situations that other teams are going to try uh to box him in and Adam Foot’s going to have to be wary. you know, there wasn’t anything they could do about it after the icing there, but now as they go out on the road into Edmonton, can’t protect them as much and McDavid and Yeah. So, anyways, uh, you know, there were moments. Again, you see the hockey smarts out there. There were some nice defensive plays, just positionally sound. Um, I think overall it was a pretty decent National Hockey League debut for Braden Coots. I think I had kept my expectations fairly low for the guy. Um, but he’s exceeded everybody’s expectations to this point. So, you know, had he scored, it wouldn’t have blown me away or well, I guess it would have blown me away scored in the NHL debut, but it wouldn’t have shocked me just based on uh the evidence presented. Um, you know, but there’s some room for improvement. But when I look at like, you know, his underlying number is not great. Uh, 35.7% Cory4 at five on five. And yet in saying that, Kucks outshot the Flames 4-3 in in the time that he was out there at even strength. So, you know, yes, um you’d like to see him obviously get a little closer to 50% in the course, but uh it wasn’t like they were buried in terms of actual shots and scoring chances uh given up. I don’t think that he looked in this game like the moment was too big. And that’s kind of what you worry about in a home opener. The situation, the rookie lap, family in town, you know, there’s going to be some pressure all Canadian matchup. Like there’s a lot of pageantry that’s that that’s going on. I don’t think there was any moment where he really looked like he didn’t belong or out of place. Having said that, Adam Foot did protect him a little bit with his ice time and the only time he got worked was in the faceoff circle. But other than that, like he wasn’t a deer in the headlights and that’s saying something for a kid who’s 18 years old that probably should be playing junior at right now. So he’s not he’s going to get a chance maybe to play Saturday in Edmonton against the Oilers. I I definitely think that obviously he’s on the team and going to make the trip, but depending on what head coach decides to do, we’ll see. I think they need them. So do I. You know, they don’t have other natural centers at this stage. Um, and they won and you know, hey, Adam Foot a winner in his NHL coaching debut as well. So, we should salute him uh for that. But no, I mean, he’s hands are kind of tied. He’s got Person, he’s got Superman, Philip Pedal, uh, and then he’s got Coots and Ratu. You know, Teddy Bluger is not going to play this weekend. And so, I think Coot stays in the lineup. you know, in a perfect world, like maybe you would spot him here or there, but a it is his hometown. Um, yeah, and B, it’s not like they’ve got better options at set of ice right now. So, I expect that the kid will be uh in the lineup on Saturday when they take on the Edmonton Oilers. The super chats are rolling just like the Vancouver Canucks. Uh, we love it. De Maniac Studios, great start to the season. top paid players all looking good and the looser system freeing up talent on the offense while still keeping a solid D. Again, let’s keep in mind that they were playing a Calgary team that was playing backto back and without Jonathan Hubo did what they had to do to get the win. I’m not diminishing it, but I I think it’s a little premature to be, you know, raving about the Adamfoot system just yet. Uh it was nice opening night. Seems to me they won eight to one on opening night two years ago against the Edmonton Oilers. So, uh, let’s give it a week, two weeks, you know, before we’re starting to draw some sweeping conclusions, uh, about the way that the Vancouver Conucks are going to play. Uh, another super chat, this one from CGZ saying, “Leer Mackey on PP1 when Well, yeah, we That wasn’t me, I swear.” No, it wasn’t me. Maybe I was slow getting to it. I should have teed you up a little bit uh later, a little bit earlier uh so that we could have got there. But again, keep them coming all season long. Really appreciate it. And it’s all for a great uh cause in support of the BC Mental Health Foundation. How long before the the first super chat about the system is always an interesting, you know, topic because there’s a way when a head coach gets hired of how he wants to play and then you go and have a meeting with your core about the way you envision the team looking and then you get your team in training camp. So, you try and implement a system and then you get preseason and you said, “Okay, here’s a couple games against some bad teams. We’re not going to have our best teams and then you go into game one. Like, how long do you think before we’re really going to start to see this Adamf foot system or how he wants this team to play?” Like, it might take a couple weeks here. Oh, I I think or longer. No, I think it will. Um, you know, they’re in Edmonton Saturday, they come home to St. Then they’re out on that road trip and you know it won’t be long before we get six eight games of a sample size where I think you can start to identify trends and see if you know it matches what you believe the Adam foot system to be. Look through camp and preseason we saw uh puck pressure, we saw active defenders jumping up into the rush, all those types of things. Uh it’s easy to say that, but there’s another team that’s on the ice trying to do a lot of the same things against you. And so let’s see how they fare uh as they get out on the road, as they take on better competition. They’re going to see the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. They’re going to see the Dallas Stars before too long. They’re going to get into Washington and you know, so there’ll be some pretty solid tests ahead for the Vancouver Conucks in the early going. And I think at that point we’ll be able to get a little bit better of a read on this hockey club. Speaking of Edmonton, we are excited for the first Conucks Army watch party of the season. It is coming up on Saturday. Vancouver in Edmonton. First road game of the season. Come join the Conucks Army crew. We’re going to be there early on and then we’re going to have to leave uh to get ready for rinkwide. But uh if you’re there in the early going, doors open at 6:00, Gur and I will certainly be there. Carrison Price, Quads, Harm, Jacob, our producer, uh everybody from uh Kucks Army, and everybody under the Nation Network tent going to be there. And we want you to be there as well. Uh I love this part. It’s a free event, as in tickets are free. You’re on the hook for anything you order off the street food menu or any of the arcade games you play. But there is no cover charge, no ticket cost. You do need a ticket though because we got to keep track of who is coming and uh the spots are going. There’s looks like it’s going to be a terrific crowd. Uh so it should be a lot of fun. Sign up at nationgeear.ca. It’s that simple. Uh all those big screens, the game day drink specials, trivia with great prizes. It is the first Conucks Army watch party of the season. It’s on Saturday and it is at Greta Bar, the place to be. 50 West Cordova. Greta Bar, let the games begin. Hopefully, we’ll see you there on Saturday night. All right, we’ve gone through a lot of the players on the roster and uh it’s taken us a while here. Uh Evander Kane, the big offseason acquisition for the Vancouver Conucks, picks up an assist on the Leer Macki goal. Put it in his wheelhouse. It was a simple play, but it was the right play. Uh Connor Garland also getting an assist midway through the third period there. Uh the night for Evander Kane by the numbers, an assist, 16 minutes and 40 seconds of ice time, over five and a half minutes on the power play, four shots on goal, four hits, three giveaways. It’s sort of the Evander Kane experience. A little bit of everything. Uh column A, column B, column C. Uh I didn’t notice him a ton. Again, there were a couple of blunders uh just in decisions he made with the puck, but uh you know, overall gets a win on opening night. uh doing his part. I It wasn’t like he hurt the hockey club in any way. I just I want to believe that uh there will be nights where he’s a little more prominent. Yeah, I mean four shots you two in the first period, I think. Um the assist was nice pass to Jonathan Leaki for his goal, but yeah, you’re right. Didn’t really notice him too too much, but it’s probably a good thing. uh he had one shift where it was like three minutes and I don’t think for a guy that was 34 35 years old and he wants to be on the ice for that long but they had the when they had the man advantage the penalty was probably was going to be called and then they uh goalie tent go skated to the net they had the extra attacker and I was out there for a while but um yeah you’re right the Kane experience um and for him they won you know he didn’t factor in on the opposite side of things like he’s not a dash three in this hockey game he didn’t take any bad penalties, put his team in in harm’s way. And Saturday’s Saturday is going to be a big one for him. You know, he was in Edmonton for a while. Uh I think he’ll be up for that one. He’ll probably get some sort of video tribute there in Edmonton. He’s one of the better playoff performers for that team over the last couple of seasons. So, uh it should be a fun one as we move on here. Yeah, I thought as the game got spicy with those hits in the second period that maybe that was going to be the, you know, the welcome to the team that, you know, that might be a moment where we saw Vander Kane step up. But again, officials I thought handled it reasonably well. Game didn’t get out of hand. The fact it was one- nothing that helps the officials too, right? Like if those hits happen when it’s a 4 nothing game or five to one, maybe it goes a little sideways, gets a little squirly. Um but uh no, there’ll be nights where Vanderane is called upon to sort of play that role for the Vancouver Conucks, but uh uh it was fine. He he was fine. You know, for the most part, they were all good. It’s hard to really pick it. anything the Vancouver Conucks did on this night. They win it by a score of five to one. It’s a divisional win. Uh they split their season series last year with Calgary. Uh each team went 21 and one. Each team won once at home and and once in the other team’s building. So uh they only play three times this year. uh the way it works. One of those years where they only we’re just conditioned to the Canucks play in the Flames like a bunch, but uh this is one of those years where they see a divisional rival uh just three times all season. So I know we haven’t Conucks haven’t posted anything on for postgame, but Elias Person saying that he didn’t think the weaguer hit was dirty. Said it was uh you know just poor timing. Maybe maybe in an awkward position there. So there there’s there’s your answer from Elias Patterson on how he felt about the hit. Yeah. Uh I just wanted to take a moment as well because like I’m a huge sucker for opening day in any sport. Um I don’t know there’s just something about uh the excitement. Uh we’ve heard so much about the vibe around the Vancouver Conucks. I laughed this morning both Brock Besser and Tyler Myers offering up the fact the vibes are high. Like they weren’t asked about the vibes, but that just now has become part of the conversation uh around this group. And look, they’ve worked hard to turn the page from last year. Uh they’ve said all the right things and then nights like tonight are stepped in the right direction of, you know, authoring a new story for this group. Last year is in the past. They can’t do anything about it. They just didn’t want it to linger. And nights like tonight are going to help in in that regard. Um but opening night is a chance, especially when you open at home, get the fans in there. Place uh was hopping. The Canucks do a really good job. I I mean, look, this is far from a perfect organization, but one area that they do really well, um, is the pageantry and sort of the pregame hype and the ceremonies. Uh, terrific new video, uh, that they have put together ahead of the opening faceoff. If you were there, you saw it. If you’re going to games throughout the season, it’ll run uh, every night. But they do basically like a miniotion picture. U, they do a really good job. this one uh sort of outer spaceish and I don’t want to give it away uh because it is part of the game night experience if you’ve bucked up for for tickets but uh they did a really good job there. The player intros as we talked about getting some of the alumni back again there was a good buzz in there. Uh unfortunately there the buzz kind of went away over the first 40 minutes cuz you know there were some moments but again that Sherwood goal stood up for the longest time and then uh the real fun began in the third period as the Canucks outscore the Flames. 4-1 in the third period. 5-1 on the night 5-1 is the final score. The Vancouver Conucks over the Calgary Flames. You feel like people didn’t really have an expectation of what to look for from this team heading into the opener. like what was going to happen with this group. I think in years past, well, especially last season because of how the season before finished, there was an expectation like that team needed to be good because of what had just happened. But now heading into this one, obviously energy is great in the building. You know, I was out on the plaza there and, you know, by the Pat Quinn statue and everything like that and people were ready and excited for this game, but I think there might have been a little not anxiousness or nervousness about what this team was going to look like. Yeah. And I can’t speak for everybody, but you know, my sense was all right, really solid in goal. Uh I think the best defensive core that they’ve had in a decade. And so you put that together and you think, okay, you know, they should be able to cut down on goals, limit chances. Is there enough offense? And again, it’s one night here in the regular season, but after a preseason in which they scored in bunches as well, uh maybe I underestimated what’s possible with this group. It’s going to take more. I mean, it’s going to take these weeks that we talked about to to really get a true feel, but you know, it beats the hell out of the alternative of, you know, look at the St. Louis Blues get shut out on home ice in their season opener. Happened to the Rangers the other night. Like, you know, if people have questions about the offensive capabilities of a hockey club and they come out shooting blanks on opening night, then I think that filters into the locker room, players start to wonder themselves. And so to be able to get goals from every line, to get Philip Heedle feeling good about his game early on, uh to get Jonathan Leer Mackey going and shooting the puck that way and goals in games that matter, like all those are really positive signs for the Vancouver Conucks. So when we talk about vibes, I think uh again, it’s just one night, but it feeds into this idea that yeah, the vibes are pretty good. And you know, how far can vibes carry this hockey club? I think it’s a fair question and and one will find out as uh they get deeper into the schedule here. You know me, I’m a big vibes guy. I’m a guy that, you know, big juju guy. You know, hear what people are saying coming out of the room and, you know, talking to guys left, right, and center. I I I definitely think that this team and the noise around it has kind of dissipated into let’s see who we are and who we this group is now. Everything from the past is gone. like we’re we’re going to stop talking about it. We’re going to talk about October 28th and that’s it. That’s the only time we’re going to talk about it again. That is the last time we’re going to talk about it, but you know what I mean? You know, there’s going to be a tribute and everything like that, but there’s it’s it it just feels different. The leadership group of this team feels different. Adam Foot feels different. Um and then you go out and you get a result where you don’t really know what to expect from the team and you say, “Okay, then your expectations start to change a little bit.” And look at it. And I know it’s one game and I know it’s a probably an inferior opponent on the second and back to backs, but all wins are good in this hockey league. And for the Vancouver Conucks a 5-1 win on home ice, that’s great. Well, and I maintain that look if that Demco can dial it up to two years ago. Yeah. Like that maybe more than anything has the possibility to change the conversation of what’s possible for the Vancouver Canucks. if he steps up and delivers Vzna caliber goalending and I’m not saying that he did tonight but he gave up one um and that’s all he gave up and it was really a garbage time 4 nothing at that point you know if he can get his game to that level then the rest of the things will quite possibly fall into place but you just think of the confidence that that would give the players in front of him knowing that like yeah this guy is back that this is a player that we just didn’t have really at any point maybe save for like there was that week around the four nations where he looked like he was that of old but and then he got hurt in that final game had to take himself out of the game you know the Leafs were here again before the four nations break and then it was 6 weeks before we saw him again so he’s got to get through every game healthy and that’s going to be an ongoing concern uh for Demco but uh very few concerns on night number one he looked good the skaters in front of him looked good and you know again they did it without a single point from Quinn Hughes there’s going to be nights when Quinn Hughes is uh driving this offense, but they didn’t need him. Uh and other guys stepped up and uh carried uh the load for the Vancouver Conucks in the win over the Calgary Flames. Uh it’s funny. Um you know, build build up to opening night and now day off, a practice day, uh tomorrow, and then they get going again. Uh they got the Oilers coming up on Saturday night. So, uh, you know, Edmonton obviously won’t be happy with what went down last night and the way that game got away from them, but, uh, you know, when I say it’s funny, lots going on around the National Hockey League. Big buildup all week. There’s not a game on the schedule tomorrow. Silly. Yeah. Three game three days into this new season and they’re dark already. Every team plays on Saturday. That’s probably why they did it. No, it is. Um, no games on the Friday, one schedule. We deal with the games uh that are presented. Uh, but if we were looking ahead to tomorrow night to find our line of the night, well, that’s going to have to push until Saturday. The line of the night brought to you by Bet 365. Whatever your bet is, never ordinary at Bet 365. Where you looking? Okay, let’s go to the late games and Saturday night. Let’s go to the Conucks and the Edmonton Oilers. The Conucks are definitely going to be a road dog in that hockey game. But I can’t sit here and wax poetically about Vibes and Guju and all these good things and not take the Vancouver Conucks at plus money that night against the Edmonton Oilers. Um they definitely have a better goalie. They’ve got a better defense. It’s up to the offense and, you know, special teams and if they can win those two battles with Braden Coots’s bunch of family and friends in attendance, it could be a good night for the Vancouver Conucks there. And I also like the Golden Knights, you’re not going to get plus money there to absolutely wall up the Seattle Kraken. Uh, Golden Knights uh battle back to beat San Jose. The way that game ended, if anybody is going to go and watch how that game ended between the goal to tie the game and the overtime goal, it is insane. You’ll never see it again. Tell me Eichel scored from center. Eichel scored from center. Iceland Adelovich and Adelovich wasn’t in his goal on the overtime winning goal. I don’t know where he was or what he was doing, but it was it was wild. Well, for this night, the Vancouver Conucks uh will move to the top of the heap in the Pacific Division. Or will they? No, Vegas got uh Vegas is up to three points. Vegas is up to three points and they’ve played an extra game. So, I mean, they score so many goals, Jeeoff, it’s it’s wild. But anyways, whatever your bet is or whatever you’re looking at, it’s never ordinary at bet365. Download the app, get in on the game, use code nation, bet365 must be 19 or older. Please play responsibly. Uh, as I mentioned, the plan is for the Vancouver Conucks to practice here in Vancouver and then fly to Edmonton for the Saturday game. So, uh, again, I wouldn’t expect Adam Foot to tinker with a winning lineup. I mean, at some point they’ll get Lenus Carlson in there. Um, you know, I I know people want Victor Mancini to play. I think something like I don’t think you’re just gonna take DPD out of the lineup for fun. And this guy’s a regular in this lineup now. So, and he’s not afraid to like he’s not afraid. I mean, Man City is a big guy as well and can hold his own, but DPD goes and makes that hit. Serves a time in the penalty box, but he’s still not afraid to mix it up again after. He knows guys are going to come after him. I like that about his game. I really do. and and so yeah, I just there’ll come a time where, you know, they’re forced to make some lineup changes at some point. Teddy Bluger is going to be back here before too long, but uh why would you uh mess with a winning combination? I guess the decision will be in goal. Is it as simple as, you know, you want to get Lankin on a start and get him into a rhythm here? Again, when I look at the schedule here for the next like five games to get you going or six games, I would come back with Demco. and then lengthening on Monday and then that sets up they’ve got backtobacks in Dallas and Chicago to start the road trip. So you would split those and then the third game of the road trip is a Sunday morning game in Washington. And so uh you flip a coin you see whatever goalie is ready to go. If it’s not if doesn’t like the morning games well I guess there’s that. But you know you played Demco Thursday in Dallas then you know that’s a good amount of rest until Sunday morning and then maybe you get into you know a little bit of alter alternate your goalenders at that point. Again, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. We’ll see. Right now, the Conucks are enjoying this victory, and I’m sure tomorrow we’ll turn their attention to Edmonton. Uh, but my gut says that you come right back with that Demco and give him Saturday’s start against the Edmonton Oilers. All right, we’re off and running here. The season is underway. We do this after each and every Vancouver Conucks game all season. Long Earth’s going to be here for the bulk of the games. We’ll have some special uh guest co-hosts from time to time when those nights surf is unavailable, but you’re in with me on Saturday, right? Absolutely. Back at it. And you and I here for Thanksgiving and then we’ll spend Thanksgiving afternoon. Yeah, that’s a weird one. 4:30. It’s a prime game, so that’s part it’s a double header on prime. That’s the reason for the uh weird start time. Uh but uh hey, same start time for both the Canucks and the St. Louis Blues. So play they will, and when they’re done, we get rolling. But uh before then, it’s a Saturday show and again a reminder about the watch party. nationgeear.ca to book your ticket and we hope to see you there. I think uh it’ll be some fun. Uh we talk about the the good vibes right now. I would imagine the vibes will be pretty high down at Greta on Saturday uh as that game gets underway. All right, that’s going to do it for us here in the first rinkwide of the new season. Our thanks to Jacob Lazar putting in shift behind the scenes. I know you’ve been busy. You’ve been on shows. You’re writing again uh at Kox Army. I saw that column. You’re down at the rink with Uber Eats. So Uber Eats. You’re here, there, and everywhere. And I just wanted two things before we run quickly. Uh Kucks Army, if you’re not already checking out the content there. Um add it to, you know, your bookmarks, your favorite website, whatever the case. Instant reaction right after this game. Scans are going to be back a full postgame breakdown uh and all kinds of fresh content uh the day after games as well. So uh yeah, make sure that Kucks Army is part of your reading habit and make sure you’re following Rinkwide on all of our social channels. Particularly make a point of subscribing to the Rinkwide YouTube channel. Uh it’s always been a postgame live stream, but uh we are going to branch out uh get uh posting more practice and game day content from the rink and so whenever new content is posted, set a notification so that you don’t miss anything. Hit that subscribe button on the rinkwide YouTube page. All right, that is going to do it. 5-1 the Vancouver Conucks off to a nice start in the 202526 National Hockey League season. They defeat the Calgary Flames 5 to1 for Earthf. I’m Jeff. Thanks so much for checking out this episode of Ring Quad Vancouver.

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