Canucks: Our favourite moments from the Sedin twins

With the Vancouver Canucks celebrating Sedin Week, the writers at TCW rallied together to share their favourite moments through the twins’ legendary careers.

On Wednesday the Vancouver Canucks organization will raise the jersey numbers of Daniel and Henrik Sedin to the rafters, officially retiring the numbers 22 and 33. An absolute no-brainer for the franchise as the magical twin brothers put their heart and soul into Van City for nearly 20 straight years.

When their once in a lifetime hockey story came to an incredible finish, the twins had their names all over the Canucks’ history books, with some records left to stand for decades to come. The mark they left on not only Vancouver, but the entire hockey world was something truly special, possibly even something that can never be done again.

They changed the game, invented the “Sedin tip” and left Canucks fans with tons of memories of magical “Sedinery”. From two fragile kids, all the way to powerful puck movers who could cycle the puck around you in circles, the Sedin twins were truly two of a kind — and together they were unstoppable.

Here at The Canuck Way, our staff looked back at the long, successful career of the twins and put together our favourite moments through Sedin history. A plethora of great games and moments, but we narrowed it down to each of our individual favourites. We hope you enjoy looking back at these as much as we do. The twins were truly something amazing, their highlight package never gets old.

Bailey Broadbent – The Goal

Henrik entered the final game of the 2009-10 season one point back of Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for first in the league scoring race. In order for the Canucks to have the first Hart Trophy winner in franchise history, the Sedins would need to deliver. And did they ever.

In the first period, Henrik fed Daniel the puck to surpass Ovechkin. Then, at 3:27 of the third, Daniel scored his second of the night from Henrik to give the Canucks a 5-2 lead. A mere 20 seconds later, magic happened. With all 18,810 fans in attendance still on their feet congratulating Henrik on his milestone night, the Sedins capped off the game in thrilling fashion.

Off an offensive zone draw, Henrik called for a pass from the point, to which he then tipped tape-to-tape without hesitation to his brother Daniel. Daniel then curled towards the net, before going between-the-legs for the hat trick.

Henrik’s assist was his fourth on the night, and 112th point of the season – a new single-season franchise record. While Daniel finished the season with 85 points through just 63 games – a 111 point pace.

“The goal” highlighted so much of what the Sedins were about. The ability each had to find the other wherever, and whenever on the ice. Their drive for creativity on the ice, which saw them constantly put the team on their back with their scoring prowess. And their ability to have fun, with the smiles and laughs that ensued following the goal.

Maxim Fossey – Final home game

It was Apr. 5, 2018. Right from the start of a special ceremony, emotions were high at Rogers Arena. In comes the lineup announcement from Al Murdoch, the crowd roars as the Sedin twins are mentioned. Every single time the duo would step on the ice, a loud cheer from the fans would rise.

In the second period, Daniel scored from an old-time Sedinery play from Alex Edler and his brother Henrik. The goal was Daniel’s 22nd of the season and came 33 seconds into the period. The crowd audibly gasped when the announcement of the goal was made due to the sheer coincidence. The game goes to overtime after an entertaining 3-3 tie. The Arizona Coyotes take a penalty, and the buzz around the arena gets louder.

The Sedin brothers are on the ice for the man advantage. Another classic Sedinery shift. Edler passes it to Henrik, who passes it to his brother Daniel. Daniel takes a slapshot, a short silence hushes through the crowd as he raises his stick. Daniel pots for the Canucks’ game-winner in overtime and sends Rogers Arena in a state of euphoria.

Al Murdoch announces the goal. Daniel’s winner was scored at the 2:33 mark in overtime, another gasp from the crowd is heard. Was it more than a coincidence? We know that the Hockey Gods were on the Sedins’ side that night.. A storybook ending in Vancouver.

Joshua Rey – The shift

The Sedin twins were the masters of the slap pass and the cycle game They dominated so many shifts that there is now a term for it. And it’s called, “Sedinery.”

The Sedins had so many great shifts in their careers, but nothing beats the one that happened on Oct. 13, 2007 against the Edmonton Oilers. Henrik and Daniel were on the power play with Ryan Kesler. The twins led the way with their clear and crisp passing, and it was amazing to watch as the puck moved from tape to tape.

Watching it now, I still can’t believe that they managed to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Just when you thought the Oilers were going to get the puck and clear it, the puck stayed in. Daniel eventually beat Dwayne Roloson for the goal.

The Sedins just knew how to find each other and their linemates.  The cycle was put on display during this shift. Simply incredible. Respect was earned.

If someone asks about what the brothers were like, show them a video of “The Shift.”  To me, it sums up the magic of Sedinery. I wasn’t a hockey fan at the time, but I remember kids at school talking about “The Shift.”

To this day, I am still amazed by it. It’s one of many perfect plays cooked up by the Sedin twins.

Lucas Celle – Quadruple overtime

It’s Game 1 of the 2007 Western Conference quarterfinals against the Dallas Stars. 4-4 tie. Quadruple overtime. Daniel rings a wrist shot off the post, and the crowd lets out a momentary gasp. The fans thought the game was over right there. They were praying it would be over.

The Canucks netminder at the other end, a 28-year-old Roberto Luongo, must have been praying for the game to be over too. He’s been putting on one the finest goaltending displays in postseason history, a 72-save performance. He’s undoubtedly exhausted. But the play continues.

The twins would keep possession of the puck and keep the pressure on with their patented cycle that fans had learned to adore them for. Henrik loses the puck for a second, but fellow countryman Mattias Ohlund is there to pick it up and rims it hard along the boards down to Daniel. Daniel swoops around from behind the net and lays a gift-wrapped pass into the slot for a streaking Henrik. Henrik redirects the puck in stride, right through the five-hole and that was it! It was over!

Henrik celebrates by slamming his fists passionately into the boards, and rightfully so, as the Vancouver Canucks had just defeated the stars in a 138-minute marathon that would go down for the ages.

The sighs of disbelief from those in attendance had turned into an explosion of pure ecstasy. Just listening to the video, you can hear the thunderous uproar from the crowd. It’s only fitting that the Sedins were the two that connected to end the longest playoff game in Canucks history. They gave the crowd a feeling of pure jubilation that night, as they did on many others in their illustrious careers. It’s one of my personal favourite moments from 22 and 33.

Final thoughts

The Sedin twins left a footprint on this franchise. The incredible chemistry and play of these identical twins was truly something special. The Canucks organization is very lucky to have experienced such a rare pleasure, and the fans will forever be grateful for everything they did.