1 year ago, Miller lifts Canucks past Sabres in OT thriller

Exactly one year ago today, J.T. Miller put the Vancouver Canucks on his back as they defeated Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 in an OT thriller.

For the Vancouver Canucks, their December 7th showdown versus the Buffalo Sabres last season turned out to be one of the most entertaining games of the year. It was a back and forth high-scoring affair that ended with an overtime bottle rocket from Vancouver’s, J.T. Miller.

The game had a real buzz around it. Two young teams loaded with offensive talent exchanging blows from start to finish. The Canucks were fast, and their return to the Flying Skate jersey was a good representation of that, mixed in with a bit of a mean streak with something to prove.

The Canucks got off to a hot start. Josh Leivo potted the opening goal in the first frame and Antoine Roussel followed it up with a goal of his own. Buffalo was quick to answer back with a pair of goals themselves, but it was Leivo’s second goal of the night that gave the Canucks another lead in the second period. Unfortunately, the Sabres tied the game at three in the final minute of the second period.

Entering the third period, Miller took his game into the next gear and found himself with a primary assist on the go-ahead goal. It was a cross-crease feed to Tyler Myers, which he buried for his first as a Vancouver Canuck.

The Canucks would take a two-goal lead with Roussel’s second of the game, but in classic Canucks fashion, the lead was lost and the Sabres managed to rally back and force overtime. No complaints from fans though, this game was exciting and people didn’t want it to end.

But with just 1:39 remaining in the extra frame, overtime died a sudden death. Awarded a power play, Miller set up perfectly in the offensive zone. Waiting at the right face-off circle, Miller blasted a one-timer top shelf from a Quinn Hughes point pass. Calling it an absolute snipe would be an understatement. This shot was a laser sent from another world. The perfect game-winner.

It was the Canucks 15th win of the season and a good way to measure how the team’s young guns were able to handle themselves against other big-name NHL players. Above all, it was a game loaded with goals and that’s exactly what the fans love to see. You can watch the highlights here.

What do you think Canucks Nation? Tell us what your favourite game was last season.