RINK WIDE POST-GAME: Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders | Game #34 – Dec. 19, 2025

RINK WIDE POST-GAME: Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders | Game #34 – Dec. 19, 2025

Heat. Heat. Kucks sweeped their way through the New York metropolitan area, beating the Islanders 4 to one. We’re breaking it down now. This is Rinkwide Vancouver. and we welcome you inside the Pacific Toyota dealer studios. Visit shoptoyota.ca or your local Pacific Toyota dealers today. Seasons greetings everybody. Welcome to Rinkquite Vancouver. I’m Jeff Patterson. He is on Gafar. And you may notice that brick wall in the background. It’s up in honor of Thatcher Demco. We thought he was going to pitch a second straight shut out, but Andre Lee had other ideas late in the hockey game. But ah shutouts, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about the victories or something like that for the Vancouver Conucks. The unstoppable Vancouver Conucks all of a sudden took down the Devils, took down the Rangers, and tonight they had the Islanders in their sights and ended up beating them by a score of four to one. So yeah, cruising through the New Jersey, New York area, three for three on this road trip. Three for three since they dealt the captain to the Minnesota Wild. >> Ring the alarm, Jeff. They have been playing some pretty good hockey on this road trip. All starts with the goalender. You mentioned the brick wall behind me. Thatcher Demco um has found his game. He looks back. Team looks good. What about Kefir Sherwood? Yeah, stock price going through the roof here as the NHL trade deadline or holiday freeze is essentially upon us. You would think Jim Rutherford’s phone would be ringing off the hook here in the dying hours before the holiday freeze. Everybody trying to get their hands on Kefir Shwood who scores goals 14,5 and 16 into the empty net. Yeah, the hat-tick is second of the season to go along with a pair of two goal games. What a year. What a first half of the season it has been for Kefir Sherwood. ups his team leading total now to 16 on the season and a second hatty for him. 4-1 is the final. Renquite brought to you in part by bet 365. And you know the drill by now. We will break it down. We’ll give us uh give you our thoughts on this hockey game and the state of this club here as it uh uh starts to head in the right direction. Looking like a hockey team. Uh and so give these guys credit. I know that there’s still a huge segment of the fan base that doesn’t want these results. Uh and where the first two games against Jersey and the Rangers, you know, the Kucks won with 15 and 17 shots on goal. Hands down, they were the better team in this one and looked every bit the part of a team. They uh got the early lead. They’ve been that of the They haven’t trailed on this road trip. And so I joked online, I can’t wait to see what they look like when they trail, if they ever trail again. Uh because we know that it’s still a flawed roster. There are holes in this lineup, but it makes life easier to play and ultimately win when you get out in front and you force the other team to make some changes and react and adjust and all those types of things. And the Vancouver Conucks got the early lead and they built on it. They had a three- nothing lead after one period of play. It stayed that way through two periods of play and then uh teams exchanged late goals. 4-1 is your final. So, it’s three straight victories for the Vancouver Conucks. In the process, Earth, they’re now looking down at both the Nashville Predators and the sagging Seattle Kraken who are just plummeting to the bottom of the standings. Canucks are all the way. Is there a foamy finger for 30? We’re number 30. Doesn’t quite work that way, I guess. Uh, but that’s where they find themselves. They move past the breads and the Kraken. They are in 30th spot with 31 points now up to 147 and three on the season. So, we’ll continue to break this down. We’ll give you our thoughts. But hey, we want to hear from you as well. We’re fully interactive here on Rinkwide. So, bring it with a super chat. Our charity partner all 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. And you know how this works. A super chat with a small donation gets you right to the top of the queue. We will read your thoughts, your comments, your questions for us uh here on Rinkquad. And again, it is the season of giving, so keep that in mind. And, uh, hit us up with some tuber chats here. Uh, and again, we’ll do this on Saturday and then the Conucks play their final game before the holiday break against Rick Tocket and the Flyers on Monday. So, bring it with super chats in support of the BC Mental Health Foundation. I almost feel like I’m burying the lead here. EARTHF, WE SAW A DAVID CAMP GOAL. IT’S A CHRISTMAS miracle or something like that. Yeah, I think we talked about this when he was acquired here. Went about a week and a bit without a goal or a point. You said, “How long is it going to take before he scores his first goal?” >> I’ve been asking you, “Will there be a point before Christmas?” >> I think the bet was was is Lucas Reichel going to be back in the lineup or is David Camp going to score? Lucas Reichel is in the lineup for the Abbottzford Canucks as they as they’re playing down in the farm. And David Camp, yeah, good for him. I mean, you look at everything that has happened and he’s been a guy where we look at and say it’s kind of the David Camp experience. You know, he’s been decent in the faceoff circle. He’s played well when needed to, but he’s not going to be a guy that scores. He’s not going to be a guy that goes in um and is going to get you 20 goals. He’s just not that guy. He’s not built like that. And that’s to no fault of David Camps at all. This is just who he is as a hockey player. But great for him. It must feel really good for him. But more impressive thing for me, Jeeoff, on this entire road trip, outscored their opponents nine to two. >> Yeah. And obviously in very large part to goending because Dr. Demco has played so well this far, but them being able to find the back of the net consistently and show that there is a little bit of offense and oh yeah, Leas Person hasn’t played on this road trip yet. They’re they’re doing it without their guy offensively and you and I can sit here and talk about it. Chat’s going nuts about it. This team is completely different without Quinnse. 100% completely different without Quinn Use. For the better, for worse, you can say whatever the hell you want. this team looks more together. Uh I really do believe that they have in past weeks. And it kind of reminds me of the JT Miller trade a little bit in a sense where that dark cloud hanging over the team’s gone. Play freely. Now you’ve there’s nothing really that is bothering you anymore. There’s no cloud in the sky. Yeah. Okay. Kefir Sherwood might get traded and this might be after and you’re down the lineup. But for what you are right now as a team, get the axe out. Celebrate because you want another game. I’m thinking that Kefir Sherwood is getting the battle axe after this one. David Camp maybe thought he was going to get it when it was one- nothing. Uh and then Kefir Sherwood went to town. Uh and I’m with you and and people that have watched and listened to us. No, we have talked about and this isn’t to diminish anything that Quinn Hughes did in his time here, >> but this group deferred to THE GUY WAY TOO MUCH. And you take him out of the equation. That’s where I agree with you. They, you know, they’re not always looking for 43. They’re making plays on their own. They’re doing things. And David Camp’s goal to open the scoring. And again, Conucks have opened the scoring the first period, the first half of the first period in all three of the games here to start this road trip. So, you get this lead. And we’re showing here the finish on the goal. If it went back a little further, uh it was chaos in the Islanders End. Scott Mayfield and Adam Boquis each had an opportunity puck clearly on their stick and it was like a grenade. Uh but credit to Jake De Brust applying the pressure, David Camp as well. Then Camp goes to the front of the net. Uh Puck generally doesn’t follow that guy around, but it found him and he scores his first goal. I had to go back and look. Uh March 25th. Now that seems like a long time ago, and in real time it is. Of course, he hadn’t been in the National Hockey League till the middle of November. So, I think it’s a total of 18 games, but uh still has to feel good. I know he’s not there to score goals, but it’s the NHL. uh you’re out there, you’re playing 18 minutes. So, he’s getting a ton of ice time and uh things hadn’t gone his way offensively, but uh they do hear he opens the scoring, his first of the year, 855. That put the Conucks in front and then it was just two minutes later, Kefir Sherwood with his first of three on the night. Matthew Schaefer having an incredible season. And again, was I was drawn to him throughout this game. He’s just a beautiful skater. You got to remind yourself he’s 18 years of age. He hasn’t made many mistakes, but he did on Kefir Sherwood’s first goal. Sherwood sort of picks his pocket. I think Schaefer thought he was going to be able to get there and maybe move the puck up the wall. Kefir Sherwood had other ideas. And I’ve said this to her, I I I think as Kefir Sherwood becomes this trade prize and other people around the league are looking at Kefir Sherwood and what does he do? Well, he’s got 16 goals. We know that >> his shot is sneaky good. Yeah, >> like we’ve seen him score with that wrist shot a number of times. I’d have to go back and break down all of his goals, but we’ve seen that goal a number of times. Uh leans into it. It’s precise. He picks his spot and he wired it and so not surprised that he scored there. I think Schaefer was a little surprised that he didn’t win the puck battle just because bas kids got the mightest touch. Like everything has gone his way. Uh but he didn’t on that one and that got Kefir Sherwood into the game. And then Sherwood’s second goal at 1547 of the first period makes it 3 nothing. He didn’t, but I was thinking he should have pointed to like the press box to salute Bo Horvette. That was a Bo Horvette goal for a guy that scored so many goals for the Conucks from the bumper spot. Kefir sure would have taken I mean he’s a right-handed shot, so it’s the other side, but that looked a lot like Bo Horvette who wasn’t in the Islanders lineup tonight. >> Well, the puck kind of came from behind him as well. you he had to be ready for it. But here’s the thing about Kefir Sherwood. Effort, tenacity, heart, grit, heavy. These are the type of words when you look at Kefir Sherwood and and and you look at his game. You don’t really hear hands. You don’t really hear he’s got a wicked shot. He’s got a good release. You don’t really hear that when you’re talking about Kefir Sherwood. Well, you have to. Now, you you it’s it’s it’s hard to diminish because you just mentioned 16 goals on this season. He scored quite a lot last season. He’s going to shatter his record um last season in a contract year. the number one trade piece like we’ve talked about for the Vancouver Conucks right now. Stock absolutely soaring for Kefir Sherwood. And the the question is is how long are the Vancouver Conucks going to wait? They obviously have the roster freeze that’s going to come up um later on as we record this on on December 19th um at some point. But it has to be a time where a GM or an assistant GM is going to have a conversation and really give, you know, Jim Rutherford and Patrick Alvine what they want for this player. and what they want is a first round pick and maybe another player coming back. And if Kefir Sherwood keeps putting up video game numbers like this for himself, they’re going to have to get it at some point or or or another. So great for Kefir Sherwood. Um but you have to feel like in the back of his mind, >> there’s a lot going on as well. Like you know, your name’s out there. You know, people are calling about you. Um his agents are definitely trying to handle it, you know, very well with him. And credit to him. Noise is going around. He goes out, plays well, scores a hat-tick here on Long Island, helping his team win hockey games. Um, there are a lot of people out here that don’t want to see the Vancouver Conucks win hockey games right now. And rightfully so. You know, you look at the draft picks, you look at where they are in the standings. There are a lot of guys about 20some, maybe a little bit more than that, that want to see the Conucks win for Cayman. And those are the guys in that dressing room. You can’t tell them anything about that. >> Uh, a bunch of super chats coming in. Keep them coming. This one from Prime Killer says, “Success or failure if Conucks make the playoffs?” I had people in my timeline starting to live in this parallel universe pulling for the Canucks to meet Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs. A lot would have to happen for that to actually occur. >> I don’t think we should talk about playoffs. >> Um it’s three weeks. That’s all it is. Talk about playoffs. >> They’re 30th. Um so yeah, I I’m with you. I think we’ll hold off on uh the postseason discussion. Cam in the Valley says, “Can we talk about the edgy Demco interview?” >> I haven’t seen it. We were on the show as he was being interviewed by Murf. Oh, I I haven’t seen quotes from it just yet. Uh hopefully we can maybe get that. >> A lot of Demco interviews seem to have a bit of an edge, so I’m not surprised, but I I can’t speak to this one. Uh Bry says, “Do you think they’re showcasing Demco for a trade, or do you think he asked them to play to try to make Team USA?” Uh, look, we we talked about >> Yes. to all of I >> Yeah, we talked about this last show, Jeff. Um, the USA might be a little bit of a stretch. Team USA. >> Yeah. >> I mean, look, there Billy Garren’s going to look at it and can’t help but notice it for sure. >> He’s got almost had two shutouts, almost had backto-back shutouts. >> Mike Sullivan, the coach of the Rangers, has coached team USA them the other night. Um I I think he’s run out of runway when he missed a month here, but Connor Hellbuk missed basically the same. Hellbuck’s going to be on that team. So um you know, who knows? There’s still enough time here. They’re going to announce uh the Olympic roster on New Year’s Eve. I think the US is doing it in the couple days after uh the new year. We’ll see. I I think it’s unlikely, but you know, if he goes on an absolute bender here between now and the end of the calendar year, uh the other part, you know, do they are they showcasing him? Uh he came off a like he played four games in nine nights. It’s the first time he’s started four straight. I had to look this up since January, so it’s almost been a year. Um but I I like people talk about the workload. You can look at the number of starts, but I think you have to look at the days in between. There’s been zero travel here this week. They’ve been in I mean, they changed hotels to for the game in Long Island, but they’ve been in the New York area. It’s four starts in nine nights. He wasn’t terribly busy in 23 shutout against the Rangers. The Devils didn’t mount a ton of pressure. So, like four straight starts when he’s in a groove isn’t an outrageous workload. and we know he’s not going to play against Boston on Saturday. Puts already on the record saying Kevin Lanken and is going to get a start. So, I don’t know. I I don’t think they’re overworking him. I don’t think they’re showcasing him. I think they’re just going with, you know, a legitimate number one who’s playing well and delivering victories for them. >> Well, and I also think for Thatcher Demco, when you look at the whole situation, um for him, I think the biggest thing is you mentioned the starts. The showcase thing for me is Adam Foot is going to put out a lineup that gives him the best chance to win a hockey game every single night. And if your goalender, who is supposed to be your number one goalender, your ace is playing that well every single night, how do you not put him in net? If it’s going to be a showcase, fans and or general managers have to watch hockey games because if that is at his best, then most people are probably going to watch him and basically say that, okay, well, we definitely have to take a shot at him. If he is feeling good and he’s playing at his best, he’s one of the best goalenders in this league. >> I’m being distracted by the bachelorette party that’s looking in our glass window here at uh uh the Toyota dealer studio downtown. So, we have a live studio audience and uh the boss is here, too. >> Hi to everybody. That’s true. Yes. Uh, no, I’m looking more out the window than at the boss. Uh, Conucks defeat the Islanders by a score of four to one. Let’s get to the three stars. They’re brought to you by Greta Bar and we’re going to be at Gretar on Saturday. This is your last call to join us for the Conucks Army watch party Saturday at Greta. Doors at 3, the puck drop at 4, Vancouver at Boston. We’re getting together ahead of the holidays. We’ll watch some hockey, spread some Christmas cheer, wear an ugly Christmas sweater or your favorite hockey jersey, whatever. Uh, just get down there and join us. We’re going to have prizes and Greta will have its terrific game day food and drink specials. Don’t wait. Reserve your spot right now. Here’s how you do. You text Greta and you say, “I want in. 604256422.” Again, 604256422 to secure your spot. Gretavar, the place to be. 50 West Cordova. Gretar, let the games begin and we’ll see you there for the watch party. at least we’ll be there early up until about uh 10 minutes before puck drop and then we got to get back here to the studio and who knows who will be looking in the window uh on Saturday uh the three stars in the building selected by Islanders Media Kefir Sherwood Thatcher Demco David Camp. So a clean sweep for the visitors and look at that Kefir Sherwood Thatcher Demco and David Camp here on rink wide as well. Sherwood three goals on three shots so very efficient hat-tick a couple of hits as well. Demco just continues to deal. Uh the shut out streak got to 150 minutes and 53 seconds. And really the way that third period was going, it looked like he was going to post backto-back shutouts. Patrick Wah does what he does, pulls his goalie with six minutes to go in a three nothing hockey game. Uh and Lee gets the only goal for the Islanders, his ninth of the year. So that breaks the shut out, but still Demco absolutely dealing right now for the Vancouver Conucks. And there’s David Camp open the scoring, gets the ball rolling and good in the faceoffs. 12-6 on the draw. So, uh, yeah, we saw it the same way as the three star selectors in the building. >> What has been the most impressive thing about Thatcher’s Thatcher Demco’s game to you during this little run that he’s been on? I always think when he’s in a groove, he makes it look easy. But I think that the surprise for me is that he’s up to speed as quickly as he >> he is after a full month off, right? He came back against the Buffalo Sabres. They lost that game, but >> he made some stops there as well, but it seemed like he just needed one game to shake the rust off. And and then, you know, look out, as you mentioned, they’ve outscored their opponents nine to two. The Conucks have built him a lead in every game. So that puts, you know, if they fall behind, the margin for error gets razor thin if you’re the goalender, right? You can’t allow the the next one, but when you’ve got the lead, it’s a little bit of a cushion. You know that uh guys are doing their part out in front. And uh we’ll get to the stat that stands out in a sec. And I think that’s a you know, special teams have been a part here. They win the special teams battle again tonight. Sherwood with the power play goal to make it three nothing. And the Islanders uh end up 0 for four on the penalty on the power play of their own. So the Canucks penalty kill. In fact, let’s get to it then. Let’s get right to the stat that stands out, it’s delivered by Uber Eats. You can see over Earth’s shoulder there, Uber Eatats, a proud supporter of Rink. We appreciate their help. Uh the stat that stands out delivered by Uber Eats and it’s enabling fans to maximize their fandom all season long with exclusive game day deals on the app. Every time the Cucks are playing at home, you can get a buy one get one six-piece chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s in Vancouver. Only on Uber Eatats, from game day eats to paper plates and napkins. If you’re hosting all the ingredients you need to make your favorite game day dip before, during, or after the game, Uber Eatats assisting every hockey fan’s experience all season long, hash crave the stats. And if you’re watching on the live stream, you can see our stat that stands out is the fact that the Conucks penalty kill since Thatcher Demco came back in the lineup is 12 for 13. Matthew Benson, remember the Buffalo game? Matthew Vansson scored the power play goal for the Sabres. Canucks have not allowed a power play goal on this trip. And if you dig a little deeper and even this game tonight, too many men three minutes into the hockey game, some confusion at the Canucks bench, Heronic and Meyers, and then Kefir Sherwood for the second time on this trip. I mean, we’re praising Kefir short. Remember, he threw the puck the other day in New Jersey. This time, uh, he gets his stick on on Matt Barzel. Islanders had a two-man advantage for 59 seconds early in this hockey game and the Canucks able to kill that off the way they did in New Jersey as well. So, uh, how the tables have turned here where we’re sitting and praising a Canucks penalty kill for getting the job done uh, through adversity, five on threes. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU THROW AT THIS KUCK PENALTY kill these days. They’re able to come up and goending is a huge part of it. Your goalie has to be the last line of defense. Uh, hard to argue since Thatcher Demco returned from injury. The Conucks penalty kill at 92.3%. >> Sticks in good places, blocking shots, attention to detail, and you just mentioned it. Your best penalty killer has to be your goalender. And that Demco has definitely been that and some. But I want to go back to the edgy interview kind of thing. We we don’t have it yet, but uh people are asking about that Demco and I asked you the best part of how his game since he’s been back. I I also think it’s the mental toughness that he has shown through maturing. I think in his career, you know, a lot of stuff’s gone on over the years with him and it’s no secret the injuries in his body has definitely taken a toll. But I think the biggest thing for him is being able to in his mind go back into hockey games, go back into the National Hockey League and face shots and be there every single night instead of, you know, maybe being scared he’s going to get hurt. Yep. And I I think the mindset for Thatcher Demco is huge. I think that, you know, it’s something that he’s definitely worked on as as he’s matured here in his career. Um, and it’s something that, you know, you hope is going to is going to carry him quite a long way. I know the body may not. Everyone’s sitting here on the edge of their seat watching when The Demco going to get hurt again. He’s not thinking that. He’s thinking completely different way. And I think that that’s definitely something that’s that that’s benefited him. >> Uh, so he’ll take a seat in Boston and then we’ll see. Adam Foot after practice on Thursday and said the Conucks would play it by ear about the final game before the break in Philadelphia. If that goes back in, that’ll be four of the five games on the road trip. If Kevin Lankin plays, then Demco uh in theory would be done until after Christmas. Something tells me that Demco is going to get the game against Rick Tocket and the Flyers on Monday on Prime Television. Uh but again, back to the workload for Demco. 22 Islander shots, 23 for the Rangers, 26 for New Jersey, only 15 for the Buffalo Sabres. Uh, and that speaks to the Canucks have tightened things up. Like they were hot garbage for the first 20 games of the season. U, it was a track meet that basically was constantly finish line was in their end uh, night after night after night. And they really have tightened things up here defensively. They’re not giving up nearly as much. Talked about the penalty kill. It’s been a big change here. And so they are now creating an environment for the goalender where he doesn’t have to be spectacular. Like even in the shut out the other night against the Rangers, we went through Paneran had a couple of chances, but it wasn’t a list of 10 or 12 like great a standing on his head diving across the net. And even here tonight, there were chances, but he just that economy of motion. He’s looking big in the net, not giving the shooters much to shoot at. And >> yeah, no, he looks confident. looks on like he is on his game without a doubt. >> I have a quote for you from the interview and I think this is where people are calling it a little bit edgy >> and I quote Demco. The priority for the guys has been winning the game and not looking for points or whatever that may be. End quote. Jeff, >> so >> you know what you know exactly what everyone’s thinking who the shot is at. >> Yeah. No, I mean, as I hear that uh in real time, absolutely. I don’t think there’s any way to uh to take that. So, uh we know that at the end Queen wanted out. We get that. >> And >> Demco’s been on the record that he said he wanted in. >> Yeah. >> And we know that. >> No. And that’s why I go back to this idea that there does seem to be like the black cloud of uncertainty has passed now that the trade’s happened. It’s done. >> Yep. And it does feel like it’s been the dawn of a new day here. You know, when I look individually, uh, you know, was Marco Rossi great in this hockey game? No. Was Zum a star in this hockey game? >> No. >> No. Liam Ogren had a couple of chances early in the second period, so I noticed him, you know, it wasn’t like the new guys carried the day here for the Vancouver Conucks. But I’m also I certainly don’t have the knives out for them. They’re contributing. They’re pulling on the rope. They all seem to be pulling on the rope in the same direction here. So, uh it’s an interesting quote from Demco. And again, uh spicy takes after hockey games from the goalender, >> especially when you win. >> Yeah. I mean, we’ve certainly heard him speak with an edge before, but uh I’m curious. I I I want to hear it in his own words, and we’ll see if we can find the clip at some point. I’ll uh go back after the show if we don’t get it. But, uh I just I’d kind of like to hear him deliver those words, but uh to hear the quote there, >> Yeah. I don’t think there’s uh much doubt where that is directed. >> But are you surprised? >> I mean a little bit. >> Yeah. You think so? Or just because the the the thought there was a big friendship and everyone was close this that and the other. >> Yeah. But I mean we talked about the fact that they did like they it it was always about getting the puck to Quinn and just assuming that he would do these great things with it. Again, I make this point that like these guys all got to the National Hockey League because they’re incredible players in their own right. >> Yeah. >> And maybe it’s fair to expect a little bit more from each of them individually rather than constantly having to run uh both your power play, but even five on five through one incredibly talented individual. This segment of Rickwide presented by the Pacific Toyota dealers and the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. It’s a no compromise approach to electric vehicles that offers the best of both worlds. You can drive up to 72 kilometers on battery alone. That’s enough to get you from downtown to the rink to the grocery store and then home to recharge. It seamlessly transitions from electric mode to the gas engine for a combined range of 962 km. I think that’s how many goals Kefir Sherwood’s going to finish with this season. Uh no sacrifices when it comes to horsepower or style with its sleek low, wide exterior and sophisticated interior. And it’s loaded with all that tech that’s actually easy to use. And right now, you can lease a 2026 Prius plug-in hybrid SE from $109 weekly at 3.99% APR for 64 months with $3,300 down. Visit shoptoyota.ca or your local Pacific Toyota dealer. the day. >> I had someone message me from very tapped in with the New York Islanders said that was by far Matthew Schaefer’s worst game as a member of the New York Islanders, >> which is saying something because we talked about the miscue, but he took the penalty on Connor Garland in the second period and then he stepped out of the penalty box and I remember that sequence. He takes the puck down the left wing, cuts hard to the net, doesn’t score, and I think he thought he had fouled. kind of punched the glass uh in frustration, but the puck stayed in the zone. He had to get back in the play and and carry on. >> And then he came he came around the faceoff dot and had his stick up for a one-time for about 7 seconds and no one was feeding them the puck. >> Guy’s 18 years old. Like and we’re talking about possibly uh making his way on its Olympic team. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but like just a beautifully gifted skater and uh fun to watch. Uh we won’t see him a whole lot uh in the East. Uh but uh the Islanders do still have to come uh through Vancouver later and they’ll do that in the middle of January. So we’ll get our first look at him here in person. Uh this from the chat. King 797. Love seeing Philip Heronic play without Hughes. He’s too good a defenseman to just be deferring the puck to another Dman all the time. And that kind of goes back to to what we said. It does feel like an opportunity for Phil Heronic here to spread his wings just a little bit more and assert himself. Another busy night for him. Plays 24 minutes and 11 seconds. He’s in on two of the four goals. So, picking up points as he goes here. Uh the one thing I’d like to see is more shots from Phil Heronic. Only one shot, one shot attempt. And we know that the guy can whistle a puck. Uh without Quinn now, you think the puck would be on his stick a little bit more in shooting positions. Marcus Patterson led all Kuck skaters playing 25 minutes and 20 seconds. So, he’s been elevated into that Quinn spot with Heronic. And so not a surprise to see him up over 25 minutes. >> Well, that’s what I was gonna that’s the player I wanted to ask you about because Marcus Person getting elevated minutes. Marcus Person hasn’t had a great season here so far as a member of the Vancouver Conucks. The Conucks have won the last three games in New York obviously and you look at Marcus Person’s game. I don’t want to say it’s elevated, but we’re not talking about Marcus Person for the wrong reason. So, Philip Ronick being the such a good defender and having playing some of his best hockey of his career right now is now making Marcus Person play a little bit better, >> right? And with all due respect to Tyler Meyers, >> yeah, >> getting Person away from Myers, those two, it just it hasn’t worked. >> Didn’t work. >> But so you take Person away from Tyler Myers, now you play with Phil Heronic, all of a sudden there seems to be a better fit. He’s insulated by Heronic who’s solid at both ends of the ice here. And you’re right, it seems to be working. The underlying numbers would support that as well. When I look at Marcus Patterson on the night, uh the shots on goal were 74 in favor of the Canucks at five on five. No blood either way. Wasn’t on the ice for well, he was on the ice for >> he got an assist on the short goal. Um I wonder if he had changed like did he make the pass to Kane and get off the ice? Uh because he’s plus one. But uh anyways, we’ll have to go back uh double check on the numbers there. But yeah, I mean I I would say that of all the Canucks right now in the the early returns on the Quinn Hughes deal, it does feel like Marcus Patterson getting an opportunity to play a little bit more but with a different partner. Uh he seems to be thriving on it. >> Well, and I think that we also should make mention of this 1100th game for Tyler Myers. Yeah. I also think the young kid in Z Beum who is offensively obviously as gifted as there is and is a fantastic skater can go and kind of let his wings go a little bit because you know Tyler Myers going to have your back defensively. >> No, I’m glad you brought that up. Uh, that’s a remarkable milestone and and I know at times here on that old contract, Tyler Myers was a whipping boy and was never going to live up to the terms of the initial deal, but at 3 million bucks, this is a guy that still has some life in him. Uh, and there’s 50 games to go. He’s got a year left on his contract. Like, there’s a world in which Tyler Myers gets to,200 games in the National Hockey League. That’s like one hell of a career. I think there are tw I think I read somewhere there’s 25 guys active players that have made it to 1100 games and he’s one of them. That’s a pretty select group of players and uh good on Tyler Myers. You know it’s funny he played his thousandth game in Philadelphia last year early in the season. Remember they made up the hoodies and whatever. >> Um they won that game three nothing >> and as it was time was winding down here really they’re going to win his 1100th game at three nothing as well. and end up being in 4-1 games. So, not quite, but the story line was there. Anyways, yes, uh absolute salute to Tyler Meyer’s,00 regular season games and of course playoff hockey as well. Uh we should talk about the fact that Adam Foot has elected to essentially stick with the same lineup here to produce these three wins. Um he changed his forwards around a little bit. Connor Garland had been with camp. He moved up and played with Rossi and and Besser. Uh again, there were some moments there. Jake De Brusk then moved around and ended up assisting on the camp goal. Uh but a lot of the chatter over the last what 48 72 hours was atu ratu why can’t he get in this lineup and Adam Foot clearly has his reasons and this team is winning. They’re scoring David Camp now scoring goals. Atu ratu may never play again for the Vancouver Conucks. does feel like Adam Foot is trying to build a faster team here and I thought in the first period I thought the Conucks look a lot quicker than the New York Islanders and we know that that’s the sort of one hold back or drawback for Ratu Ratu is foot speed. >> Um >> Drew O Connor playing center. >> Yeah. Uh >> coaches are loathed to change the winning lineup now. It is back to back and so you could also make the argument of injecting some fresh legs. They don’t have a ton of options here. I don’t know. Patterson practiced but didn’t play. And Adam Foot sort of cryptically said on Thursday, well, if he’s not playing on Friday, he probably won’t play on Saturday, which would tell you they already know that EP40 is not going to be in the lineup against the Boston Bruins. Is he going to play in Philly or is this going to turn into like a almost four-week injury that uh it’s hard to know uh what’s going on there? He’s on the trip. He’s been skating. I think he skated this morning with Kevin Lankan in, but uh not expecting Elas Patterson to play. What you gut tell you? Do they come back with the same guys that beat the Islanders or does Atu Ratu find his way in uh on Saturday night against Boston? >> If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. >> Yeah, I tend to agree. >> Except the goalie. And even then, I bet you 35 wants to get in there. >> But I you know, he’s not going to. No, absolutely not. >> What do you make of the Ratu thing, though? like it is a little strange as a natural center. Uh they’re already on the record now that the rebuild is underway here. You would think that a 23-year-old should be part of that, should be playing, and yet Adam Foot again has his reasons. He really hasn’t articulated it. He kind of spoke in circles when he was asked about uh how you deal with a guy when he’s sitting out, but uh whatever. Ratu Ratu right now uh isn’t part of this three-game win streak. >> You think they’re trying? I mean, I don’t know. My theories are completely sideways sometimes when you think they’re trying to create another center and see if Okconor can do it long term >> like to to fill from within just to test it out and see if he can do you know Ratu can play center >> like but you mentioned the foot speed and you mentioned other you know things in his game that maybe don’t help affect you know the Conucks from totally but Drew Connor can fly he skates well he hits he can score. Yeah, I mean he was two and two and four, so he won two of six faceoffs tonight. Again, the six faceoffs that he take didn’t really have an impact on the hockey game, but on a night where most of the guys at camp we talked about was really good. Max Sassin won four or five faceoffs. Marco Rossi as a topline center held his own and Drew O’ Conor was underwater. So, you know, there are other responsibilities obviously for a center in the national hockey. they’ve been face off of part of them and uh it hasn’t been a great road trip in that regard for Drew O’ Connor. So, uh very much a work in progress if that is in fact what they’re trying to do is uh you know play this guy u and you know play him play his way into the middle and sort of watch this transition in real time as uh things move along here. >> And where did Lucas Reichel play today for the Abbottzford Canox? >> Yeah, that was interesting too. Lucas Reichel is playing for Abby here on this Friday night and they’ve got him in the middle after it was a failed experiment at the NHL level, but uh much like the NHL team, they don’t have any centers down on the farm. So, >> well, the center whisperer for quite a long time in Vancouver is was >> Manny Mel. So, >> yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see if uh that’s an experiment that’s going to pan out, but uh who knows? uh not with the big league team, but Mark Lucas Reichel has reported and he and our Steve Baines both in the Abbottzford lineup here on this Friday night. Canucks with their 10th road win of the season and we sort of every time they get one we add to the total. They’re 10-7 and two. So 10 of their 14 wins have come away from home. Whatever. Like go figure. They just can’t get it done at Rogers Arena. But uh they have been good. somebody pointing out online that uh there are only three teams in the West with more road wins than the Vancouver Conucks. So again, if that home record was even mediocre, uh they’d be a whole lot closer to the playoff bar than they are, but uh they still got a lot of work to do. Uh we’re not checking in on the standings or the playoff picture. That’s our rule here until after uh after the holiday. >> Well, we’ve got your Christmas wish list coming up on December 22nd. Everyone tune in for that. Right. Then we’ve got the vibe meter on the 30th. That’ll be the last game against the Kraken. Um, just looking back at this game, we’re going to put a bow on in a little bit, but from the New York trip, these three games, outscored the opponents 9 to2, played some pretty good hockey. What What do you think is your biggest takeaway from this? >> Uh, I would say just vibes are back uh after the trade. Uh, but also spread scoring. Now, tonight it was one guy, but for David Camp to get a goal, for Liam Ogen the other night, uh Zeb Buham stepping in and scoring in his debut. You remember at the start of the season, that was one of the things like why did the Conucks have a bunch of wins? Because Kefir Sherwood had nine goals in October and uh Drew O’ Connor was their leading goal scorer in November. Uh Sherwood’s been relatively consistent. He went a little bit dry for a short spell there, but otherwise, you know, Brock Ber was scoring in bunches. Brock hasn’t scored in forever. Uh but they’re still finding ways to win. But early in the season, uh they were spreading the scoring and they’re back to doing that. But I would just say the mood around this group from afar. And again, we haven’t been around the team. They’ve been out of town since the trade. So, you know, it’s a little harder to get a true gauge and feel, but uh it just it looks like they’re having fun seeing smiles. And for a six week span there, we did not see many smiles on the faces of the Vancouver Conucks. Now, uh, I had somebody message me on social and said he he fears that this is the start of a run for the Vancouver Conucks. And he said, “Look at the schedule.” Said, “Just look at the schedule between now and the Olympic break.” And we won’t go through it game by game, but there is a point to be made here. like there’s a steady stream of, you know, Philadelphia, Seattle, they come home, then they go back on the road, Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, Ottawa, Columbus, like they’re not seeing the best teams in the National Hockey League. uh really between now and the All-Star break or the the Olympic break. I I countered uh I think it’s Lai is his name on on X and and I said, “Yeah, but part of the problem is they’ve got an eight game home stand. They don’t win at home.” And he said, “Oh, you watch they’re going to get on this run and then they’re going to figure it out at home as well.” I’m not buying what you’re selling, but I do agree that when I look at their schedule here, like they don’t see Colorado for a while. They don’t see Dallas for a while. They don’t see Vegas for a while. There are teams that are sort of in their tax bracket here. So, uh, for the people that want the bottom to fall out, uh, the schedule between now and the Olympic break isn’t, uh, you know, it’s not an absolute gauntlet for the Vancouver Conucks to run. >> Well, it’s an 82 game season. Teams are going to go on runs. The Conucks are have games where they don’t play well, and we’ve seen that already. The Conucks are going to have games where they do play well, and we’re in the middle of that right now. backed by the play of their goalender. Um, and getting contributions like you just mentioned, Jeff, from everyone in the lineup. And I think when you look at that, it’s good vibes, right? The the coach is coaching the team, the team’s playing well, the team feels good about its game, and they’re going to look ahead at the schedule and be like, “Okay, can we go on a little run here? Can we beat Boston? Can we beat Philly? Can we beat, you know, um, these other teams or the Seattle Kraken?” Like, they’re at that’s a lowly team right now, too. So very getable games like you just mentioned this the same tax bracket but um for the Vancouver Conucks I think for them of the past six weeks and and everything that’s gone on to be able to go on this road trip you pretty much are written off before you even do the trip without Quinn Hughes. Everyone’s writing you off saying you’re not going to be a great team. You lost one of the best defenseman in the National Hockey League. They go and they shut they shut a few people up. And I think that that’s where Thatcher Demco kind of stands there with Murf, does the interview and he’s proud. He’s proud of the guys and he did say that the Canucks posted a video after the last win. He had the the battle axe and he said, “I’m proud of you guys. Let’s let’s kind of keep this up here.” >> Have they posted the battle axe video yet? >> No, they haven’t. They haven’t posted the battle. True. I don’t think there’s much doubt about that. Uh I I will say this about the Vancouver Conucks that >> sweeping this New York New Jersey run like and again like the Devils and the Rangers Devils without Jack Hughes and they were missing a bunch of pieces. The Rangers can’t win at home. Islanders without Bo Horvad, you know, none of these teams at the top. Although you look at the the Eastern, it’s crazy. Like it’s hard to figure out who’s good in the East because the Conucks just role uh run the show for all three of these teams that have legitimate designs on, you know, not just being in the playoffs, but winning their division. Um so I’m a little confused what to make of some of these Eastern Division teams. Uh that said, you say, “Okay, well, they just swept Jersey and the two New York teams.” They did it two years ago as well. Remember when they stormed, they started a road trip in St. Louis and then they went New Jersey and the Rangers and the Islanders and then they went to Pittsburgh and Pety had four points on four goals including the overtime winner. Uh those were the days. He was the player of the month for that January two years ago. >> When’s the last time this team won three games in a row? You got to go back quite some time. >> So I’m Good point because it’s the second time it’s happened also on the road. Dallas, Chicago, Washington at the start of that fivegame road trip early and then missing Brock in Washington. Yeah. >> All the Well, Heedle got hurt. He got hurt. Yeah. >> Bluger, Leer, Macki. >> Oh, yeah. That was that was bad. >> But that three-game win streak, the Chicago game in a shootout, Murph, it’s taken them basically till Christmas to win three consecutive games in regulation. Think about that. They’re 34 games into the season and this is the first time that they have rattled off three straight wins where their opponents don’t take any sort of consolation prize. I mean, good for them to be honest. I think that just going back to the point about the the Quinn Hughes and Penderson being hurt and things like that and you know, nobody really everyone wants this team to lose and tank. Everyone does. and the fact that they’re going out and playing hockey games where structure kind of looks there. Systems kind of looks there. They look like a team that, you know, is playing really, really, really together. So, in the sense that they’re doing that is great for them. >> Uh Conucks will be in Boston tomorrow. We’ll talk about the Bruins here in a sec. Uh also want to remind you, and we do this on every program, follow us on our socials, all of our socials, but particularly make a point of subscribing to the Rinkwide YouTube channel. Uh, Rinkquid’s always been your go-to postgame live stream and podcast, but this season we’ve branched out a little. We post a whole bunch more from practices and game day content, videos, and players scrums. Got our practice reports when they practice at home. I won’t do that now until after Christmas here. So, hit subscribe, set your notifications so that you do not miss a thing. Relatively quiet night in the National Hockey League and uh the Canucks among the early game. So, there’s still action going into the night on Friday. And then it’s a busy Saturday. Uh, which leads us to our Bet 365 line of the night. Earth, the floor is yours. What are you looking at on the out of town scoreboard? >> Uh, we’re going to go to the same team that we’re going to watch. >> And I think the Boston Bruins are going to win that hockey game against the Vancouver Conucks. The Toronto Maple Leafs after being called out by their head coach Craig Barube. I don’t know. You ask those guys. It’s on them. It’s not on me. I just stand here. They they’re they’re the ones that go out and play. >> Oh, if they lose to Nashville >> and I’m taking the Edmonton Oilers on the money line against Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wilds and that’s plus 485. I’m telling you right now, the bet to make is the Edmonton Oilers at plus 350 to win the Pacific Division. They have the easiest schedule remaining among all teams in the National Hockey League and Connor and Leon are going to go absolutely nuclear and they have been in the past couple of weeks. So go and do that if you really want. There’s some definitely some good odds there. Obviously, that’s what I really think about the Edmonton Oilers that they’re going to take this division. Uh I think that the the bottom’s going to fall out here on the Anaheim Ducks. They’re going to come back to reality. We’ll see what happens with the Vegas Golden Knights obviously, but the Oilers to win the division at plus 390 is excellent as well. So, whatever your bets, never ordinary bet 365 download on the app, get on the game, use code nation, bet 365 must be 19 or older. Please play responsibly. >> Calvin Picker going to lead the Oilers to the top of the Everybody sort of waiting to see Tristan Jarry sent home off the road. injured. So, we’ll see where things go there. But >> and and and I think the thing with the Oilers is with the way 97 and 29 are going right now, >> they can have probably outscore a lot of their problems. >> Fair enough. They have uh played used that playbook a lot. >> Uh should note if you’re interested, Edmonton and Minnesota, that’s a noon start on Saturday Pacific time. So, Conucks are early at 4, but this is really early. Uh there’s sort of a lunchtime start. Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild against 97 and 29. All right, the Conucks are to Boston. McDavid had his way. Scored a nice short-handed goal against the Bruins. So, the Bruins are coming off a loss. They had the day off and then they’ll be ready to go against the Conucks who are going back to back here. And we’ll see what the Conucks have left in the tank for the fourth game on the fivegame road trip. Uh Bruins are an interesting team. They’re 20 and 15. So, more wins and losses. only team in the league without an overtime or shootout loss. Like their record is 20 and 15. That’s it. There’s nothing in that third column. We’ll see how long that goes. They’re six and0 in games that have been decided beyond regulation time. Uh 12-6 on home ice. They’ve won five of their last seven even though they lost to the Oilers. And of course, when you talk about the Boston Bruins, you have to talk about Morgan Geeki, who is second in the NHL with 24 goals. Oh, yeah. He’s also got the hardest shot on record in the league this season at 103.3 miles per hour. So, the guy can fire the puck. Uh, he’s scoring some of David Pastor’s goals because Pastor only has 13. >> Well, I thought you were going to say that when you talk about the Boston Bruins, you have to talk about Nikita Zadorov. >> Well, you do. And when you talk about him, you got to talk about penalties because he’s taken more minor penalties than anybody in the National Hockey League. Bruins as a team are the most penalized team. So, the Conucks won the special teams battle here against the New York Islanders. We’ll see if they can get their power play going again if the Bruins continue to run into uh penalty problems. But if the Canucks on the backto back take penalties, look out. Bruins have the fourth best power play in the NHL clicking at 25.7%. So they know how to put the puck in the net when they got the man advantage. And with Geeky doing his thing and pasta, they’re the seventh highest scoring team in the National Hockey League. And Kevin Lankin hasn’t played in almost two weeks. He hasn’t won since that crazy comeback in Tampa almost a month ago. He’s 05 and one in his last six. So where that Demco is in a groove, uh it’s an opposite story. I’m I’m kind of curious to see what Kevin Lan looks like. Uh hasn’t played since the four nothing Detroit loss here on home ice. And a little rust built up. We shall see. We’ll see how the team plays in front of him. They’re playing well in front of Demco. Will they do the same for Kevin Lankinan against the Boston Bruins? I think one of the biggest things for Kevin Lankan and you mentioned not playing in two weeks was getting Thatcher Demco back in in the fold not only on the ice but off the ice too is remember Adam Foot said after one of the games that you know Kevin Lankan was going through some stuff off the ice he’s really been feeling it so for his game mentally you know you have your ace back you have your you have your partner you know who your backup’s going to be if it’s going to be you or you’re going to be starting. So he knew when he was going to play hopefully he got his mind and mind and body ready to go tomorrow. Uh Jason in the chat says, “I wonder how pissed off Patrick Wall was behind closed doors after losing to Adam Foot for the first time. Of course, teammates in Colorado, Stanley Cup winners, not once but twice in Colorado.” And so yeah, uh Adam Foot wins the battle of the former Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup winners uh behind their respective benches. Uh my sense is that Patrick W is going to be pissed off at his team. uh whether it’s behind closed doors or out in public. I I don’t think he’ll be happy with the way uh they played in this one. And you know, they’ve had a nice season. Again, they’re without Borvat. They’re going to get him back. I don’t know if they’ll get him back before Christmas. Uh but you can’t take those 19 goals out of the lineup and think that, you know, it’s easy. Uh Emil Heinman had 11 goals. He’s having a nice season. I didn’t notice him at all in this hockey game and he is their second leading goal scorer. Matt Barcel did extend his points. He got the second assist on the Hunters League goal, but really didn’t notice Barcel all that much. He had the one chance in the third period that I remember, but uh you know, overall it wasn’t the night that Matt Barzell took control of this hockey game and he for sure would did. Canucks skate away with a 4-1 victory. Three in a row for them. They’re out of the league basement and uh we’ll see if they can carry this good stuff with them into Boston and then onto Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. 4:00 start Pacific on Saturday. 4:30 is the start time for that game in Philly on Monday. >> We don’t have the Murf interview with Thatcher Demco, but we do have Thatcher Demco in the dressing room. >> Ah, all right. Well, he has been the man of the moment, the man of the week. So, uh, why not? Let’s hear from the Canucks Net Minder who makes 21 saves in the 4-1 victory over the Islanders. Here’s Statue of Demco postgame. >> How would you assess their performance in this one? Would you see in front of you tonight? Uh yeah, I think um I think we’ve played really well the last three. Um you know, it’s nice when each game kind of looks the same from our end. You know, we’ve been looking for that consistency and um kind of getting that identity going. So um yeah, another good game. Uh great to start the road trip with three straight and um look to get another one tomorrow. >> What are you seeing from Zeve in front of you specifically? >> Yeah, I mean he skates like the win. Um really talented guy, really confident guy with the puck. um guy that wants to kind of command the play and um you need those guys and um he stepped in. He’s been great for us. >> With Tyler Myers game 1,100 tonight, I know we celebrated game 1000 last year, but just with the maybe the loss of a captain and him kind of stepping up into more so of a leader role. What are you seeing from him and how much can you appreciate Tyler Myers? >> I mean, he’s been a leader since day one. Um, I can’t, uh, I can’t really, you know, put into words what he means to me personally and, um, I’m sure there’s a bunch of guys on our team that would say the same. Uh, I’ve learned so much from him off the ice. Um, you know, what it means to be a good father and good husband and, um, you know, it’s another great milestone for him. You know, well deserved. >> You start this trip on the heels of a big trade. three guys you have now seem to be doing a pretty good job, but you go, you went 150 minutes plus without allowing a single goal on the road against three New York teams. I mean, what’s the team’s confidence level coming out of this? >> Um, yeah, I mean, it it’s should be high. Um, I think just proving to ourselves that we know how to play the right way and that we can kind of turn it into a stretch of games and it’s not just a one-off when we play well. Well, um, like I said, we’ve been looking for that consistency all year and, uh, be something we continue to look for. >> That, you’re nine and one in the city, uh, I think across a long stretch. I mean, >> um, what is it about this area? >> Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely not my style. um a little too hectic for me at times, but um yeah, it’s surprising that uh I’ve kind of gotten the results that you mentioned there, but uh yeah, it’s it’s odd. >> There you go. Taking New York by storm apparently. Didn’t realize. Nine and one in the the New York area. So, >> good for him. Yeah, he’s a he’s a he’s a surfer by >> San Diego guy, but I think he’s uh moved the home base to Michigan in the offse. Uh but uh yeah, seems to uh he doesn’t have to live there, but uh you know, when he visits, things seem to go his and his hockey team’s way. And again, we’ll see if the Canucks can take their good stuff with them to Boston. Demco is going to get the night off and Kevin in between the pipes. All right, uh that’s going to do it for us here on Rinkwide. Again, we hope to see a lot of you down at Greta for the watch party. And I will make an appearance beforehand, but uh work gets in the way, so we will get back here to the studio, our new newly adorned brick wall studio. looking good over there, I must say. Um, yes. Yeah, you can admire it yourself. You can go back and watch the show and admire it that way, too. Uh, thanks to everybody. Uh, yeah, our executive producer, Donald Ell in town with us tonight. Uh, he was his handiwork with the brick wall. Jacob Lazar, our technical producer, hard at work behind the scenes as well. Uh, for I’m Jeff. Thanks so much. The final score, one more time, the Vancouver Conucks for the New York Islanders won three in a row. They’re going streaking and we’ll be back with the next episode of Rink White after the Conucks in Boston on Saturday.

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