The Canucks wrapped up their final matchup of the 2023 Young Stars Classic in Penticton with a win against the Oilers. Vancouver\u2019s experienced roster made a difference in tight moments, especially in the third period against Edmonton.<\/p>\n
Canucks Head Coach Jeremy Colliton said the weekend was a success and a win was a good way to cap it off.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a lot of good learning experiences for our group. Hopefully this was a good way to get going and they can ride the momentum wherever they\u2019re going next.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it brings the best out of the young players because they\u2019re getting exposed to that competition. If you\u2019re going to practice or playing just one team, I\u2019m not sure you get the same attention to the details as you do when you\u2019re in a tournament,\u201d Colliton said.<\/p>\n
Danila Klimovich took the Canucks\u2019 first shot attempt of the game and connected to get Vancouver on the scoreboard, Karel Plasek notching the assist.<\/p>\n
Canucks\u2019 second goal came from the power play, as Hirose attacked the net and capitalized just above the slot, with the assist by Max Sasson. It was Hirose\u2019s first goal of the tournament, but his fifth point which was the tournament high. He said the first game was the toughest of the weekend, getting back into the swing of things, but by the third game his legs were feeling good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was excited to play in the tournament to get the competitive juices going again. It\u2019s good to play against other people in a real situational hockey game and get a few bumps here and there,\u201d Hirose added.<\/p>\n
The Canucks were quiet on the scoreboard in the second period, but the Oilers scored two quick goals from forwards Carl Berglund and Carter Savoie, tying the game 2-2. The Oilers\u2019 forecheck was pressuring the Canucks through the second which slowed them down, before they were able to turn their play around in the final frame.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made an adjustment as a group to try to get the puck behind them and play behind them and their D. I think our forwards did a great job of that,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canucks made a substitution in net to start the third, Jonathan Lemieux taking over for Nikita Tolopilo. Lemiux stopped all seven shots he faced to help Vancouver secure the win.<\/p>\n
Vancouver\u2019s more experienced players proved to be difference makers throughout the tournament and in the third period against the Oilers. Cole McWard scored the go-ahead goal to give Vancouver a 3-2 lead, assisted by Aatu Raty. Aidan McDonough scored on the power play, assisted by McWard, and Raty connected on an empty-net goal, assisted by Marc Gatcomb.<\/p>\n
\u201cA couple big moments, a heck of a play by Raty to McWard there was a big goal for us. Even the empty netter, Gatcomb makes an excellent play, beats two guys in the battle and sets up Raty for the empty netter. Those are moments that if you\u2019re going to win you learn how to come through. It was nice to see,\u201d Colliton said.<\/p>\n