Vancouver Canucks Shouldn’t Seek Too Much Revenge Against the Leafs
By Jeff Godley
On Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs play the rematch of their Nov. 5 game. The NHL will be watching them closely.
From the moment the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs ended their game on Nov. 5, the stage was set for the rematch.
In that game, the two teams combined for 171 penalty minutes. Multiple players were ejected, including goaltenders Ryan Miller and Frederik Andersen.
Once the dust settled, the Canucks had plenty to be upset about. 6-foot-3, 220-pound Matt Martin tried to fight 5-foot-10, 190-pound Troy Stecher. Jannik Hansen sustained fractured ribs after being hit by Morgan Rielly.
And of course, the Leafs had scored six goals and handed the Canucks an eighth-straight loss.
But most of all, it was Nazem Kadri‘s infamous hit on Daniel Sedin:
Kadri received a major penalty and a game misconduct on the play, but no supplemental discipline.
In the end, it wasn’t just a hockey game — it was total war.
Ryan Miller and Henrik Sedin were measured in their postgame comments. Erik Gudbranson was less tactful, shouting that “Matt Martin is dead.”
So here we are.
Revenge Might Cost the Canucks
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While players and fans were outraged over the questionable hits, predatory fights and non-suspensions, it may be best for the Canucks to focus on the hockey, and not get carried away seeking revenge.
Gudbranson has backtracked on “killing” Martin, admitting he was wrong and merely talking out of frustration. Still, his tirade did not go unnoticed by the NHL, who will watching tonight’s game with special interest.
Gudbranson’s threat of revenge probably wasn’t credible to begin with. Either way, the NHL is stepping up security to make sure things don’t get out of hand:
And who can blame them? No one has forgotten about Todd Bertuzzi exacting revenge on Steve Moore after his hit on Markus Naslund.
Between the meetings with Player Safety and the watchful eye of the officials, there just won’t be any room for the Canucks to pursue vigilante justice against Kadri or Martin. If they try too hard, they’ll probably pay some harsh penalties.
Stick to Scoreboard Revenge
Gudbranson might try to challenge Martin. But he will only get away with it if the fight is staged and happens early in the game. Otherwise, he will face instigator penalties and possibly fines.
If Martin is willing to fight early — fine. But if he skates away, so should Gudbranson. The consequences aren’t worth paying for 20 seconds of face-punching.
Vancouver may believe Kadri escaped justice when he was not suspended. But they won’t do themselves any favors by trying to right that wrong.
Related Story: No Suspension for Kadri
Instead, they should focus on avenging the 6-3 loss last month, and take two points. With both of these teams coming off tough losses, the game should be hard-fought by both sides.
It should also be well-attended. The Leafs always draw their own crowd when they come to town, and Canucks fans will be lining up to boo Martin and Kadri the same way they boo Ryan Kesler and Duncan Keith.
And if Kadri or Martin is hit hard, you know the fans will eat it up. The Canucks should make sure the hits are clean, though, or they will be the ones who pay in the end.
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The crowd should be loud and the game should be feisty. But if the Vancouver Canucks want revenge, it will have to come on the scoreboard. They won’t be given the chance for anything more.