Vancouver Canucks 14 Thoughts for the Last 14 Days of the Season
By David Joun
Thought #11: The #20in20 was a Failing Success
The #20in20 was great. The opening night’s “Jerseys off our Backs” kicked things off and ended with a night of “Sedinery” night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Grizzlies night, the West Coast Express night, the 95′ Retro night… those were great nights of hockey memories. It was great to see Sami Salo and Ed Jovanovski back, seeing the West Coast Express line honoured, and the Black Retro jerseys in action.
More from Canucks News
- Canucks are in “wash, rinse, repeat” mode after Monday’s 5-1 loss
- Canucks send Jack Rathbone and Vasily Podkolzin down to Abbotsford
- Canucks acquire Ethan Bear, Lane Pederson from Carolina
- Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
- Canucks officially unveil Reverse Retro jersey in latest aesthetic change
Could have helped if the Canucks actually won on the most important nights. Twenty home games were marked with special occasions. The Canucks have gone 13-20-5 at home this season. The Canucks were unable to convert that emotional energy into motivation to play harder and stronger.
The Canucks play better when emotion is at stake. Vancouver knows it and they know it too. When the Florida Panthers had their win streak snapped in Rogers Arena and the whole “low life Sedins” took over the hype. The line brawl after the game. The fire. That was when the Canucks played their best hockey.
They were unable to do that in the other #20in20 celebrations. Had they fuelled themselves with the emotion and played a complete game on those nights, could the Canucks have made the Wild Cards at least?
This was a great opportunity for the brand to rise above the rebuild and its detrimental losing brand of hockey. The Canucks failed. The Canucks will now have to wait for another few years and hope that the 50-year anniversary celebrations will revive the brand.
But here’s something that does not need to wait until that 50-year celebration which will take place in 2020.
Next: Thought #12: Who is the Season MVP?