Vancouver Canucks: Stecher, Rodin Shine in 5-3 Win vs. Oilers

In Game 2 of the preseason, the Vancouver Canucks snagged a victory thanks to strong rookie performances.

While most Vancouver Canucks fans have winger Anton Rodin pencilled in for a roster spot, defenseman Troy Stecher was always expected to start the season in the American Hockey League. But then came Game 2 of the preseason.

It all started with a power play 12:20 into the game.

No matter if Jack Skille tipped this one in or not, it shows us one important thing about Stecher: he can get pucks at the net. While watching Zdeno Chara or Shea Weber rip holes in the net with their slap shots is fun, we have learned that strength isn’t the most important thing when it comes to scoring goals.

Get pucks at the net, and get them there frequently; the rest will come naturally — as seen above. A planned wrist shot is all we need, and Stecher can deliver that.

After that, the Canucks surrendered a goal scored by, of course, rookie forward Drake Caggiula, one of Vancouver’s offseason targets. But just over two minutes later, Stecher got the lead back.

As he was winding up for a slap shot, Stecher saw he had no open shooting lane. Instead, he saw an open area in front of him along the boards. Stecher opted to move on with the puck instead of recording a blocked shot, kept his head up to find a pass target, and he assisted on a beautiful goal by Brendan Gaunce.

Before the period’s end, Caggiula tied it up again. Oh well.

Both teams exchanged a couple more goals in the second period, before Rodin and Stecher combined for the game-winning goal on another man advantage.

Rodin’s goal made it 4-3, and it had some similarities to the 2-1 in the first period. Again, Stecher had the puck at the blue line. This time, he didn’t even wind up all the way, but it was enough to get Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira out of position. Stecher then saw Rodin driving to the net and set him up with a perfect pass that Rodin buried in the net like a true goal scorer.

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It was only one preseason game, but it gives hope.

First, the Canucks still don’t know what’s happening in their middle six. The fact that Rodin can play and most importantly score, gives head coach Willie Desjardins some relief. Rodin might be able to play on the second line with Brandon Sutter and produce at least at Sven Baertschi‘s 2015-16 rate.

Second, the Canucks are in desperate need of a right-shot, two-way defenseman who can quarterback the power play. That player was thought to be Philip Larsen, but having two players to choose from would be a nice problem to have.

If Stecher can hold up defensively against legitimate NHL players toward the end of the preseason while performing as he did against the Oilers offensively, it would be no surprise whatsoever to see him in the opening-night lineup on October 15.

Next: Canucks Trim Roster by 12 Players

The Canucks will play their next preseason game on Friday, September 30 in Calgary.