Canucks comeback to win 3-2 in Overtime in final home game of the year

It was Fan Appreciation Night at Rogers Arena and the Vancouver Canucks sent the fans home happy in their final home game of the season. They were down after two periods but came back to win 3-2 in overtime over the playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings.

For the second straight game, the Canucks wore the flying skate jerseys which are popular among the fans. Thanks to Thursday night’s victory, the Canucks are 3-0 when wearing the flying skate jerseys this season. Perhaps they should wear them more often next season.

The Kings were wearing their retro jerseys with their Chrome helmets that you either love or hate. I actually think they look nice. They are much better than the gold helmets the Vegas Golden Knights wear.

Of course, Vancouver didn’t have anything to play for other than pride. They were eliminated from playoff contention with the Dallas Stars getting a point against the Golden Knights on Tuesday night despite them beating the Seattle Kraken.

The Kings on the other hand were playing their final game of the season and they will face the Edmonton Oilers in round one of the playoffs. It will be their first playoff appearance since 2018.

It was also announced on Thursday that Dustin Brown will be retiring at the end of the season. The game in Vancouver was his final regular season game. He received a standing ovation from the crowd in the first period and handshakes and hugs from both teams after the game.

Brown will conclude an 18-year career in which he played 1,296 games (including Thursday.) and captained the Kings to two Stanley Cups. (2012 and 2014.) He was given the “C” on his jersey once again by the Kings.

Enough about the Kings. The Canucks also announced their team awards on Thursday night. Zaahid Lalani and I have written articles about the four awards fans voted for.

The Fred J. Hume Award for Unsung Hero went to Luke Schenn. The Walter (Babe) Pratt Trophy for Best Defenceman went to Quinn Hughes which is no surprise. J.T. Miller won Pavel Bure Award for Most Exciting Player which I think is the right choice. Thatcher Demko won the Cyclone Taylor Trophy for Most Valuable Player which I also think is the right choice. I voted for Tanner Pearson for the Unsung Hero award but I totally understand why Schenn won it and he 100% deserves it. I went 3/4. Not bad.

What is worth mentioning is that Brandon Sutter won the Daniel and Henrik Sedin Award for Community Leadership. Sutter set up the “Sutter Squad” ticket program which helps families at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice to attend Canucks games. Sutter was also a supporter of the Special Olympics. It was well deserved for him.

Sadly, Sutter has been sidelined for the entire season due to the long-term effects of COVID-19. Here’s hoping that he steps on the ice again next season.