The Edmonton Oilers came out hard and mustered an impressive amount of offensive thrust, but a series of horrendous defensive miscues, most notably by veteran Darnell Nurse on Vancouver’s third goal, plagued them and led to a 4-3 loss.
Vancouver’s goalie Casey DeSmith also outplayed Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner by a wide margin.
The Grade A shots (which go in 25 per cent of the time on average) were 21 for Edmonton, just six for Vancouver, with the subset of 5-alarm shots (which go in 33 per cent of the time on average) was ten for the Oilers, six for the Canucks (running count).
Leon Draisaitl, 8. The Oil’s best layer by far. He made 12 major contributions to Grade A shots, not one major mistake on a Grade A shot against. The big man set the tone early on. Great start, pushing Vancouver d-man Tyler Myers off the puck to set up RNH in the slot, but no goal. A moment later he failed to score on a 5-alarm shot off his own at the side of the net but in that same battle, he finally forced the puck in. He almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later, but Casey DeSmith got a frantic glove on his Executioner’s Shot, his deadly one-timer where he lashes his stick at the net. He picked off Noah Juulsen’s horrendous pass on the PK, leading to Edmonton’s second goal. He drew a penalty leading his line on another fierce forecheck. He failed to cash in a glorious rebound opportunity off a Bouchard snapper in the second. Had three wicked power play shots, one a backhander, two others harpoons, mid-way through the third but failed to drain them. Grade A shots: ES +6, -0: ST, +6, -0.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 7. Much more good than bad. Failed to drain Drai’s brilliant pass in the first minute. But he won the puck back and helped set up Drai’s early 5-alarmer, then got another shot with Drai finally cashing in on the rebound. He failed to block off the outside shot on Vancouver’s second goal. He fired a hard outside wrister on the power play in the second that DeSmith somehow missed for his third point of the game. Grade A shots: ES +4, -1: ST, +3, -0.
Zach Hyman, 7. Solid work. Huge effort on the first Edmonton goal, bashing around until he and his linemates finally scored. He got handsy on a forecheck and took an early penalty, which the Canucks cashed in. His d-zone turnover kicked off the Sequence of Pain on Vancouver’s second goal. He helped win the puck battle on Edmonton’s second goal. Almost drained a rebound off a Bouchard outside shot. Grade A shots: ES +5, -1: ST, +1, -0.
Connor McDavid, 7. Good game, but needed to orchestrate more goals. Held back by two linemates still not up to speed. He moved fast on an early power play and set up Drai’s first harpoon of a one-timer. He fished out the puck on the net front scrum to score early in the second on the power play. He almost tipped a Ceci shot in. Grade A shots: ES +3, -0: ST, +7, -1.
Evander Kane, 3. He looks a step behind and with iffy hands just now. Brutal but legal body check on Filip Hronek in the first. But not making enough of a positive impact on the game. Grade A shots: ES +0, -0: ST, +0, -0.
Ryan McLeod, 7. At least his line has some jump. He puck protected well to help set up a Foegele Grade A in the second. He made a smart play to get the puck deep for a necessary line-change. He broke in early in the third for a Grade A rush shot, then set up Holloway in the crease for another Grade A. He charged up ice to set up Holloway for a dangerous shot a few shifts later. Grade A shots: ES +4, -2: ST, +0, -0.
Warren Foegele, 5. His aggressive forecheck on Myers led to a battle won and dangerous shot in the first. He completely missed the net on his shot, kicking off the Sequence of Pain jailbreak on Vancouver’s third goal. A moment later he went hard to the net to for a Grade A shot. Grade A shots: ES +3, -1: ST, +0, -0.
Mattias Janmark, 4. He failed to contain Quinn Hughes’ outside shot on Vancouver’s first goal but that’s no easy play. Grade A shots: ES +0, -0: ST, +0, -1.
Adam Erne, 4. Barely played, just 6:13. Grade A shots: ES +0, -0: ST, +0, -0.
Derek Ryan, 4. Barely played, just 5:27. Grade A shots: ES +0, -0: ST, +0, -0.
Darnell Nurse, 2. Just a horrendous play by Nurse on the third Vancouver goal as he wandered aimlessly up ice on an Edmonton break, allowing a 2-0 Vancouver breakaway. The Oilers already had four men on that rush, but Nurse decided to go all-on for some reason. That may be the worst play he’s ever made in the NHL, mainly because he’s a veteran now and can’t make this kind of mental error. He was bumped down to his low grade due to that play, as it was so significant. Grade A shots: ES +3, -1: ST, +0, -0.
Cody Ceci, 2. He wandered too far out of the defensive slot, allowing two 5-alarm slot shots from Connor Garland early in the second. Terrible play by Ceci. Like Nurse, he made a colossal mistake charging up and getting caught out of position on Vancouver’s third goal. Just awful. Grade A shots: ES +1, -3: ST, +0, -0.
Evan Bouchard, 7. Moved the puck wel; and bounced back defensively after a rancid first game. Hammered an outside shot in the second that Hyman almost jammed home. He did well quarterbacking the power play, moving the puck well. Grade A shots: ES +1, -0: ST, +0, -0.
Mattias Ekholm, 4. A bit rusty with some of his puckmoving in the first but looked sharp as the game progressed. Then came Sam Lafferty’s rush goal in the third, where he simply blew by Ekholm, still in pre-season form obviously. Grade A shots: ES +0, -1: ST, +0, -0.
Philip Broberg, 6. Solid game for the young defender. He played his off-side on the right and did well. Maybe a bit late to stop Kuzmenko’s tip goal on Vancouver’s first period power play. He charged in from the blueline to set up a Foegele rush and shot in the second. Grade A shots: ES +1, -0: ST, +0, -1.
Brett Kulak, 5. Like Ekholm, still shaking off the rust of his preseason injury, with some iffy puckmoving. He failed to take Nils Hoglander’s stick on Vancouver’s second tipped goal. But some good plays as well. Grade A shots: ES +1, -1: ST, +0, -0.
Stuart Skinner, 4. He didn’t let in any stinkers, but he failed to make big saves when needed. He let in four goals on six Grade A shots, not close to what you’d like to see. Made his first big save stopping a Pius Sutter break-in shot five minutes into the game. He had little chance on Kuzemenko’s tipped in goal, nor on Hoglander’s goal, two goals that we like to call the Californian, in honour of Brett Burns and Joe Pavelski combining on so many such goals against the Oilers over the years. Two huge saves on Garland early in the second. A save would have been nice on Lafferty’s third period rush goal, but not to be.
MONTREAL – Canadian National Railway Co. told employees this week it plans to relocate its operations in Jasper to near Hinton, Alta., about 100 kilometres away.
In a memo sent to employees in the fire-ravaged town, the company said it’s aiming to increase efficiency by minimizing train stops between Edmonton and Blue River, B.C., which sits across the Rockies.
CN plans to close its Jasper bunkhouse and build a crew change facility east of Hinton, with workers slated to clock in at the new site starting in September 2025, according to the document obtained by The Canadian Press.
“CN has made the decision to implement operational changes to improve network fluidity,” regional vice-president Nicole James said in the memo.
The union representing rail workers criticized the relocation, which affects about 200 employees, though no layoffs are expected.
“This is another devastating blow to the town of Jasper, after this year’s catastrophic wildfires. Rail is one of the largest industries in Jasper, after tourism, and CN’s move will cripple this community even further,” said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
“And for the workers who’ve already lost so much — some even their homes — this is a truly cruel blow.”
Union spokesman Christopher Monette noted that most residents or their spouses must work in town to qualify to live there under Jasper National Park’s residency rules. The company has told the union it will apply for an exception for the workers, he said.
CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says the railway is committed to supporting employees through the transition and keeping them updated.
“These types of changes take time to fully plan out and implement. That’s why one of our initial steps was to have this discussion with our employees as well as advising the town of Jasper,” she said in an email.
A wildfire ripped through Jasper in July, destroying a third of the mountain town and displacing many of its 4,800 residents.
The blaze also caused smoke damage to the CN bunkhouse, which the company says it has worked to restore since it was allowed to re-enter the community with contractors on Aug. 16.
Engineers and conductors have been reporting for work in Hinton, roughly an hour away, since the wildfire.
With roots as a fur trade outpost, Jasper launched as a railway town in the early 20th century after tracks built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway — CN’s predecessor — paved the way for the municipality.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR)
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings made another investment this week in a young standout, signing Moritz Seider to a seven-year contract worth nearly $60 million.
The Red Wings announced the move with the 23-year-old German defenseman on Thursday, three days after keeping 22-year-old forward Lucas Raymond with a $64.6 million, eight-year deal.
Detroit drafted Seider with the No. 6 pick overall eight years ago and he has proven to be a great pick. He has 134 career points, the most by a defenseman drafted in 2019.
He was the NHL’s only player to have at least 200 hits and block 200-plus shots last season, when he scored a career-high nine goals and had 42 points for the second straight year.
Seider won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2022 after he had a career-high 50 points.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is banking on Seider, whose contract will count $8.55 million annually against the cap, and Raymond to turn a rebuilding team into a winner.
Detroit has failed to make the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.
The Red Wings, who won four Stanley Cups from 1997 to 2008, have been reeling since their run of 25 straight postseasons ended in 2016.
Detroit was 41-32-9 last season and finished with a winning record for the first time since its last playoff appearance.
Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane last summer and signed some free agents, including Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million after he helped the Florida Panthers hoist the Cup.
___
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The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Veterans Tyson Beukeboom and Karen Paquin will lead Canada at the WXV 1 women’s rugby tournament starting later this month in the Vancouver area.
WXV 1 includes the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (England, France and Ireland) and the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series (Canada, New Zealand, and the United States).
Third-ranked Canada faces No. 4 France, No. 7 Ireland and No. 1 England in the elite division of the three-tiered WXV tournament that runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 12 in Vancouver and Langley, B.C. No. 2 New Zealand and the eighth-ranked U.S. make up the six-team WVX 1 field.
“Our preparation time was short but efficient. This will be a strong team,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “All the players have worked very hard for the last couple of weeks to prepare for WXV and we are excited for these next three matches and for the chance to play on home soil here in Vancouver against the best rugby teams in the world.
“France, Ireland and England will each challenge us in different ways but it’s another opportunity to test ourselves and another step in our journey to the Rugby World Cup next year.”
Beukeboom serves as captain in the injury absence of Sophie de Goede. The 33-year-old from Uxbridge, Ont., earned her Canadian-record 68th international cap in Canada’s first-ever victory over New Zealand in May at the Pacific Four Series.
Twenty three of the 30 Canadian players selected for WXV 1 were part of that Pacific Four Series squad.
Rouet’s roster includes the uncapped Asia Hogan-Rochester, Caroline Crossley and Rori Wood.
Hogan-Rochester and Crossley were part of the Canadian team that won rugby sevens silver at the Paris Olympics, along with WXV teammates Fancy Bermudez, Olivia Apps, Alysha Corrigan and Taylor Perry. Wood is a veteran of five seasons at UBC.
The 37-year-old Paquin, who has 38 caps for Canada including the 2014 Rugby World Cup, returns to the team for the first time since the 2021 World Cup.
Canada opens the tournament Sept. 29 against France at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver before facing Ireland on Oct. 5 at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre, and England on Oct. 12 at B.C. Place.
The second-tier WXV 2 and third-tier WXV 3 are slated to run Sept. 27 to Oct. 12, in South Africa and Dubai, respectively.
WXV 2 features Australia, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales while WXV 3 is made up of Fiji, Hong Kong, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.
The tournament has 2025 World Cup qualification implications, although Canada, New Zealand and France, like host England, had already qualified by reaching the semifinals of the last tournament.
Ireland, South Africa, the U.S., Japan, Fiji and Brazil have also booked their ticket, with the final six berths going to the highest-finishing WXV teams who have not yet qualified through regional tournaments.
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team WXV 1 Squad
Forwards
Alexandria Ellis, Ottawa, Stade Français Paris (France); Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney Holtkamp, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., College Rifles RFC; Sara Cline, Edmonton, Leprechaun Tigers; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England);
Backs
Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., CRFC; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Toronto Nomads; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que, Stade Bordelais (France); Mahalia Robinson, Fulford, Que., Town of Mount Royal RFC; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Paige Farries, Red Deer, Alta., Saracens (England); Sara Kaljuvee, Ajax, Ont., Westshore RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.
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