Photo credit: Vancouver Canucks
Sammy Blais was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct during today’s must-win Calder Cup Playoff game for the Abbotsford Canucks, Vancouver’s AHL affiliate.
The Abbotsford Canucks had a big task ahead of themselves today as they faced the Colorado Eagles on the road for Game 5 of their playoff series, which due to Memorial Day in the United States, began at 2 pm PT.
Abbotsford has had a record-setting season and with a win on Monday, would advance to their first-ever Western Conference Final, where they’d face the Texas Stars, AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars.
Abbotsford Canucks’ Sammy Blais ejected for late, dangerous hit during Game 5
The Canucks were cruising in today’s winner-take-all Game 5, taking a 3-0 lead to the dressing room after 40 minutes, but as the buzzer sounded at the end of the second period, Abbotsford’s Sammy Blais got himself into some hot water.
One of the Colorado Eagles defenseman was getting the puck out of his zone at the end of the period when Blais comes in to lay a very late and quite frankly, dangerous hit, leaving the blueliner in some pain on the ice.
The officials on the ice got together to discuss the incident and decided to hand Sammy Blais a five-minute major and a game-misconduct for interference.
“Sammy Blais was, indeed, handed a five minute major and game misconduct..
We weren’t able to see what happened, but he left an Eagles player lying on the ice for several minutes at the buzzer.” Dave Hall said.
“#Canucks forward Sammy Blais has been given a game misconduct for his hit at the end of the period. It’s hard to see but the hit happens in the right corner of this video” Adam Kierszenblat said.
“Sammy Blais has 57 penalty minutes in last 4 #canucks games. Hasn’t been around to see the end of three of them.
6 minors
1 major
2 misconducts
2 game misconducts” Jeff Paterson said.
With Sammy Blais back in the dressing room, the Abbotsford Canucks had no problem finishing off the game, as they’d go on to win by a score of 5-0, advancing to their first Western Conference Final in team history.
“FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEAM HISTORY, WE ARE HEADED TO THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS‼️
It all starts Thursday, May 29th – secure your seats and watch your Abby Canucks take on the Texas Stars!”
Puck drop for Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday is set for 7 pm PT and the winner of the best-of-seven series will move on to the Calder Cup Final to face either the Charlotte Checkers or Laval Rocket.
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Scary Scene – Dangerous Hit Gets Canucks Forward Sammy Blais Ejected in Must-Win Game
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