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Canucks 5, Islanders 2: Completing rare Triple Crown of victories by going wire-to-wire
A pair of first-period goals, and three markers by defencemen, allowed the Canucks to outpace the Islanders and claim an impressive win
The area is also home to UBS Arena, the posh digs for the New York Islanders, and where the Vancouver Canucks were attempting to complete their own Triple Crown Tuesday.
And that’s exactly what the Canucks did.
A pair of first-period goals, and three markers by defencemen, allowed the Canucks to outpace the Islanders and claim an impressive 5-2 victory. They improved to 3-1 on a seven-game road trip and 27-11-3 overall in pursuit of the NHL overall lead.
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Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet believed his club had enough in reserve by measuring minutes at Madison Square Garden. And it played out.
“It was the consistency and a lot of good efforts from everybody,” he said. “We had a good first and a lot of energy. When we came out with a lot of good shifts, I knew these guys were ready to play. To win three games in New Jersey and New York is tough to do.”
The win came in convincing fashion and included goals you don’t see every night.
J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson played pickleball with passes across the crease before the slick Swede potted his 20th of the season. And Tyler Myers took advantage of an Islanders line change by unleashing a 93 mile-per-hour slapshot at full stride to the stick side to make it 4-1 in the second period.
Maybe Hughes put it best.
“It’s crazy how a year can change,” he said. “Last year, we had a really hard time keeping leads in the third, and this year, we kind of look like a mature group.”
Here’s what we learned as Filip Hronek, Hughes, Pettersson, Myers and Dakota Joshua into an empty net scored for the Canucks, while Brock Nelson had both goals for the Islanders:
The smart start, the Hughes ballet
There was statistical proof that a good start was prudent.
The Islanders had surrendered one or fewer goals in the opening period in their previous 23 games. They also entered the night by outscoring the opposition 35-22 in the first period. Only the Los Angeles Kings had allowed fewer goals in the opening frame.
Conor Garland had a three-shot period and then the damage was done in convincing fashion.
First, it was Hronek ripping a point slapper that felled Casey Cizikas, and as he hobbled off the ice, the play continued and allowed Hronek to pounce on a loose puck to open scoring. Then, it was Hughes doing a figure skating and ballet combo to provide a two-goal cushion.
The Norris Trophy favourite emerged from behind the Islanders net with puck possession, wheeled into the faceoff circle, did a backward spin, and got to the slot to snap home his 11th of the season.
“Huggy’s goal was incredible,” said Tocchet. “When you get that second wave on the rush, and it was probably one of our better games breaking the puck out, that’s why our defence got some of those chances.”
“They’re so opportunistic if there’s a breakdown,” added Tocchet. “Obviously, a hell of a goal from Miller to Petey. They’ve been great and they’re dominating. It’s a great line.”
For Hughes, the win was just another part of the process of staying even-keeled and staying structured.
“We just want to keep climbing up the mountain,” he said. “We’re happy with how this road trip has gone, but we’ve got to finish up strong. Our depth scoring is why we’re good this year with multiple contributions and it’s nice to see Myers get rewarded.
“He has played so well for us. He’s taking tough matchups, penalty kill and blocking shots. And for him to get a goal is big. We’re going to need that down the stretch.”
DeSmith can be the difference
Casey DeSmith has had busier nights, but this one was efficient.
The backup goaltender improved to 7-3-2 and increased his .917 save percentage with a 17-save performance that had moments of resilience to ensure the Islanders didn’t gather momentum.
In the first period, DeSmith made a tough stop on Pierre Engvall after he took a cross-ice feed at the top of the crease from Nelson. He then stopped a streaking Barzal, who unloaded a hot shot to the far side that DeSmith got a piece of with his shoulder.
In the second period, DeSmith thwarted a 2-on-1 as Kyle Palmieri took a Barzal feed before remaining calm to stop a sharp-angle attempt during a three-shot sequence. DeSmith was beat on a second-period power play when Palmieri sent a backhand pass to Nelson at the far post. And late in the third, Nelson found the short side.
“It’s just work hard in practice and good habits — Clarkie (goalie coach Ian Clark) is big on the habits — and it translates to games,” said DeSmith. “It’s paying off. Obviously, the team was incredible tonight going back-to-back against a really good Islanders team.
“That was one of the better wins this season. We’re not giving up a lot of odd-man rushes and it seems like there’s a lot of chemistry and the Lotto Line is hot right now and fun to see.”
Maintenance day welcome ‘luxury’
Ian Cole is 34 years old.
He brings veteran savvy and a Stanley Cup pedigree to the back end and plays with a youthful exuberance. However, defending comes with wear and tear.
It meant Noah Juulsen was reinserted in a pairing with Nikita Zadorov while Cole, who hasn’t missed a game this season and leads all club blueliners in shot blocks (79) and is third in hits (40), could ensure he’s ready for Thursday in Pittsburgh.
“More of a maintenance and saving some wear and tear,” said Tocchet. “We’re healthy and it’s a good luxury right now.”
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Sports
Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
___
AP cricket:
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
—
Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
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