Penalty kill, Mitchell hit may have turned Canuck season around

canucks_hawks2 There were two key events — a clutch penalty kill and a devastating hit – in the third period of Wednesday night’s game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks which won’t show up in the box score, but which may have helped turn the season around for the Canucks.

The 3-2 Canuck victory was their first road win of the season after several disappointing and unsatisfying road performances — and it did not come easily. In fact, at 3:45 of the third period, when Willie Mitchell took a penalty to put the Canucks down two men, with the score at 2-1 Chicago, it didn’t look like it would come at all. But the Canucks, showing the grit and fortitude that had been lacking in previous road games, were able to kill the 5-on-3 and then the 5-on-4 power plays, denying the Blackhawks what would likely have been the clinching goal.

Then came the Hit. Jonathan Toews, receiving a pass in full stride at center ice just as the second penalty expired, had no idea Mitchell was coming out of the penalty box — and directly into his path. Toews left the ice after receiving the full brunt of Mitchell’s shoulder check and did not return to the game.

Willie Mitchell

Photo by Duncan Rawlinson – Wikimedia Commons

Thanks to the timely penalty kill and Mitchell’s hit, momentum had swung in the Canucks’ favor. Michael Grabner’s first NHL goal on the power play tied the score, and Mikael Samuelsson’s wrister beat goalie Antti Niemi for the winner.

Michael Grabner

Photo by Resolute – Wikimedia Commons

Coming into Wednesday night, many onlookers were probably expecting the Blackhawks to beat the Canucks in a similar fashion to last season’s playoff series, especially in the light of their previous road losses. The change in momentum that won the Canucks this game will hopefully apply to their upcoming road performances and inconsistency in general.

Quick notes:

Speed kills: Second-year left wing Mason Raymond has started to turn his speed into scoring chances. The smooth-skating Raymond has only scored one goal so far but has been driving to the net on his rushes, as evidenced by his 30 shots on goal so far (third on the team).
Second chance: Michael Grabner, who was demoted to the Manitoba Moose following a disappointing pre-season, has shown flashes of his oft-reported talent since being recalled, culminating in his game-tying goal against the Hawks. He is skating on a speed line with Raymond and Ryan Kesler.
Bad blood: There was bad blood already between the Canucks and Blackhawks heading into this game, and the Mitchell hit will likely only exacerbate it. The remaining games between these teams this season will be interesting, to say the least.

Derek Jung is a contributing writer covering the Vancouver Canucks for The Hockey Writers.